Tualatin’s Legislative Agendas

2026 State Legislative Agenda

Transportation Funding

The city supports transportation policies and investments that align with the city’s goal of creating a modern and inclusive transportation system with a variety of options that meet the needs of the community and the region as a whole. The following focus areas are of particular interest to the city in 2026.

• Look ahead to long-term stable funding for the state’s transportation system to ensure continued investment in operations and maintenance of the system, and investment in safe, multi-modal transportation options including pedestrian, bike, and transit routes.
• Preserve the 50/30/20 revenue split between the state, counties, and cities.
• Prioritize regional transportation infrastructure projects and funding for HB 2017 projects, including the Abernathy Bridge.

Housing and Human Services

The historical underfunding of the state’s public health system and ongoing shortage of affordable housing options is a major concern for the city. The 2025 Point-in-Time Count found that for every ten people leaving the homeless services system in Washington County, another fifteen are becoming homeless. Lack of funding at the state and federal levels will exacerbate this situation even further. Specifically, Tualatin supports:

• Increased funding for eviction prevention programs, including rent assistance.
• Preserving home rule authority for local government, including flexibility and locally appropriate tools to support housing development in local communities.
• Advocating for improvements to Oregon’s mental and behavioral health system to enhance outcomes for Tualatin residents and lessen impacts of an ill-equipped system on local communities.

Support Opportunities for Economic Development

Tualatin strongly supports economic development and expanding workforce opportunities, with a focus on funding and policies that attract and retain businesses, support job creation, and encourage investments in the community. The city supports:

Workforce development strategies that increase the pipeline of workers in essential industries.

• Investments in infrastructure that make sites employer-ready.
• Tools and strategies that promote development of industrial land such as the Industrial Site Readiness Program.
• Protection of shared revenue streams that support essential city services.

2026 Federal Legislative Agenda

Riverfront Park Project Funding – $3 million

The city seeks funding to construct a new riverfront park that would connect the Tualatin River to downtown Tualatin. The park will draw visitors from across the Portland-Metropolitan area and is an important part of the city’s plan to redevelop and revitalize the downtown area.

Support Community Development (CDBG) Block Grant Funding

Tualatin relies on CDBG funds to support community-based projects that would otherwise not be feasible. Unfortunately, the CDBG Program has not kept up with population growth or with inflation, resulting in a significant decrease in funding per capita.

Support the Community Fueling Infrastructure (CFI) Program and Secure Tualatin’s CFI Grant Funding from the U.S. Department of Transportation

In August 2024, the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) announced that Tualatin would receive $15 million in funding to bring publicly accessible EV charging infrastructure to approximately 125 unique sites across 17 different cities in the region. DOT has yet to release Tualatin’s CFI award, despite the program’s benefits to the region.

Support the Railroad Crossing Elimination (RCE) Program

In Tualatin, an at-grade railroad crossing at Tualatin-Sherwood Rd and Boones Ferry Rd causes significant traffic flow issues and pedestrian and cyclist safety concerns. Further analysis and planning is underway to determine what changes are possible to improve these issues.

Support Local Government’s Ability to Offer Tax Exempt Municipal Bonds

Tualatin voters have approved two recent general obligation bonds (2018 and 2022). It’s critical that Congress preserve local government’s ability to issue tax-exempt bonds.

Oppose Administration Changes to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)

Changes to the way that FEMA responds to natural disasters could have major impacts to the state and local communities. Specifically, Tualatin opposes changes to the way federal support for disasters is approved, and supports maintaining funding for the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program.

Oppose Cuts to Programs that Support Tualatin’s Most Vulnerable Populations

The “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” makes a variety of changes and cuts to programs like Medicaid, Medicare, and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program that Tualatin community members rely on.