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To contact me, please click here: Rep.TravisNelson@oregonlegislature.gov
The 2026 legislative session kicked off this week, officially starting the 35-day countdown. Over the next few weeks, lawmakers will take up a fast-moving slate of policy and budget decisions.
At the same time, our state is navigating a complex federal landscape, alongside major budget decisions here at home. This session is going to entail long nights and focused attention for everyone in the building to ensure the values Oregonians hold dear are protected and not rolled back through federal action or oversight.
As we move into the heart of session, staying connected to the people we serve will continue to guide the work we do at the Capitol.
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Hitting the Ground Running
Both my bills were up for their public hearings this week in the House Labor and Workforce Development Committee. Public Hearings are the first step in the legislative process and where the public can get an opportunity to give or submit testimony on the proposed bill. You can always learn more about that process on State Library of Oregon website.
Additionally, my intern last session created a few videos that can help you, or someone you know, with Oregon's legislative website known as OLIS.
Public Hearings on my Bills
I had my first public hearing on the opening day of session! The House Labor and Workforce Development Committee testimony on HB 4093 and the importance of the legislation to people with disabilities. HB 4093 will strengthen disability protections in Oregon by clarifying reasonable accommodation rights, expanding guidance for employers and employees and ensuring a support person can attend a meeting with the employee requesting accommodations.
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You can watch my testimony video on HB 4093.
 Representative Nelson sits at the dais in the House Labor and Workforce Development Committee
I also had a public hearing on HB 4094 in the House Labor and Workforce Development. This bill will require employers to payout earned but unused vacation time when an employee leaves a job, closing a gap that currently leaves some workers without compensation they’ve already earned. By ensuring fair treatment at the end of employment, this bill supports workers’ financial stability and also raises revenue for the state.
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You can watch the video of my HB 4904 testimony.
Federal Response Agenda
Several Oregon Democrats in the Legislature have put together a federal response agenda that addresses several ways the state can push back against ICE. As you may know, the state is limited in how much we can regulate the federal government, but legislators have proposed several bills to address ICE.
I support all these bills and have Chief sponsored of several of them:
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HB 4114: Protect Your Door Act
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HB 4138: Law Enforcement Accountability & Visibility Act (LEAVA)
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SB 1594: Statewide Standards for Protecting Data
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SB 1570: Protections in Health Care Settings
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HB 4111: Anti-Discrimination Protections for Immigrant Workforce
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HB 4143: Reciprocal Enforcement of Claims on Unpaid or Reduced State Entitlements Act (RECOURSE)
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HB 4150: Public Dollars, Public Trust
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SB 1587: Stop Data Brokers from Sharing Our Info
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HB 4079: Safeguarding Students and Families
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SJR 203: No Secret Police Ballot Measure
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HB 4117: Universal Representation and Children’s Stability Fund
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HB 4091: Protecting Oregon’s National Guard Readiness
BIPOC Caucus 2026 Priority Agenda
The BIPOC Caucus is supporting the following bills and funding requests:
SB 1570 - Healthcare Without Fear Act
Currently, federal immigration agents have unregulated access to public hospitals in the state of Oregon – with a lack of clarity on what hospitals can do. This bill seeks to limit agent access to patient care areas, strengthen privacy protections, and ensure hospitals provide rights-based information to detained patients.
SB 1587 - Data Privacy
Data brokers are for-profit businesses that collect, aggregate, and sell individual’s private information to the highest bidder. This bill prohibits registered data brokers from selling information for the purposes of civil law enforcement without a judicial warrant.
HB 4114 - Protect Your Door Act
The Trump administration has been terrorizing communities in their deportation attempts. This bill will allow Oregonians, who are disproportionately from BIPOC communities, to sue individual agents.
SB 1594 - Statewide Standards for Protecting Data
Public bodies across Oregon are seeing more federal enforcement agents appear in public spaces. Agencies respond in different ways because there is no shared statewide standard. This bill authorizes the Office of Immigrant and Refugee Advancement to develop a statewide protocol to protect immigrant and refugee data when capacity allows.
HB 4138 - Law Enforcement Accountability & Visibility Act (LEAVA)
Right now, the federal government is carrying out surveillance, detainment, and deportation of immigrants and protestors. This bill will establish a statewide policy that generally prohibits law enforcement officers from wearing masks or concealing who they work for, with narrow exceptions. The bill also draws clear lines between state/local and federal operations.
HB 4117 - Universal Representation & Children’s Stability Fund
We know through analysis of criminal justice and immigration enforcement systems that immigrants of color are often targeted disproportionately. Supporting children who lose their caregivers and providing legal services to the detained helps keep communities of color together and mitigates the systemic targeting by federal immigration authorities.
SEI Garfield Housing Hub - $6.2M Lottery Bonds
Expands affordable and workforce housing while helping displaced Black Portlanders return to North and Northeast Portland.
Williams & Russell CDC Business Hub - $15.9M Lottery Bonds
Invests in rebuilding a historically displaced Black business district with affordable commercial space and on-site technical assistance.
Native American Youth and Family Center (NAYA) - $7M Lottery Bonds
Repairs critical campus infrastructure to ensure long-term safety and continued services for Native families.
Justice Reinvestment Equity Program (JREP) - $4.3M General Fund
Funds culturally responsive community organizations focused on prevention, reentry, and survivor support.
Watch the BIPOC Caucus Announce 2026 Agenda at Press Conference
Black History Month
To kickstart Black History month in the House chamber, I spoke about a personal hero, Avel Gordly, Oregon's first African American woman Senator who has done amazing work here in our state. You can watch the video of my remonstrance.
Meetings with Constituents
I try my best to spend time meeting with constituents from across the district. I love the opportunity to hear concerns, answering questions, and talking through what people are seeing in their workplaces, neighborhoods, and daily lives. These conversations help ground the work ahead and shape the priorities I bring into the Capitol. Session moves quickly, and although I cannot always get to everyone right away, my office and I are always listening and taking note of all the emails and phone calls. Staying connected to the people I represent remains at the center of everything we do.
Town Hall
Ahead of the start of the 2026 legislative session, Senator Frederick, Representative Sanchez and I gathered with community members for a town hall to share priorities, updates and answer questions, and hear directly from constituents about the issues they want centered during session. Thank you to everyone that showed up! |
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If you were not able to join us, you can watch the recorded live stream.
North Portland Aquatic Center Community Gathering
I am looking forward to attending the next meeting about the North Portland Aquatic Center. I have been told that we will be able to see the final Schematic Design drawings for the future center. Project staff will be engaging with the community about the facility’s planned features and amenities. This is a major milestone in the project’s timeline!
There is still a lot of work to do but they are moving steadily toward the start of construction in late fall 2027.
Give your input on the final design concept for an aquatic center at Northgate Park: North Portland Aquatic Center Community Gathering Tuesday, February 17, 6pm - 8pm Roosevelt High School, 6941 N Central Street
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6:00pm-6:30pm: Dinner and Open House
Tax Resources
Oregon taxpayers can claim their share of this year’s $1.4 billion kicker. The IRS and the state began processing e-filed 2025 state income tax returns on January 26, 2026.
You must file a return to get your kicker – Use the Kicker Calculator
The kicker is a refundable credit that will either increase a taxpayer's Oregon state income tax refund or decrease the amount of state taxes they owe. It is not sent to taxpayers separately as a check. Taxpayers may use the “What’s My Kicker? Calculator” to determine their credit.
Only taxpayers who filed a tax year 2024 return and file a tax year 2025 return can receive a kicker. The credit is a percentage of Oregon personal income tax liability for the 2024 tax year.
Electronic filing is faster - especially in 2026
On average, taxpayers who e-file their returns and request their refund via direct deposit receive their refund within two weeks. E-filed returns will be processed in the order they are received, with the first refunds expected to be issued February 15. For paper filed returns, refunds will not start being issued until early April.
The delay in paper return processing means the department won’t be able to tell taxpayers who file paper returns, that their return has been received until paper return processing starts at the end of March. Also, information on paper-filed returns won’t be available in the “Where’s My Refund?” tool until that time.
Free e-filing options open January 26 Oregon residents who normally mail their tax return to the department should consider using Direct File Oregon, a free filing option available through Revenue Online, or other online tax preparation software, to receive their refund—and their kicker—sooner.
Free guided tax preparation is available from several companies for taxpayers that meet income requirements. Using links from the department’s website ensures that both taxpayers’ federal and state return will be filed for free.
All electronic filing software options approved for filing Oregon personal income tax returns can be found on the Electronic filing page of the agency’s website.
Shortly after return processing for Tax Year 2025 opened, the Department of Revenue caught an error in forms and instructions for the Oregon Kids Credit related to the incorporation of changes from HR 1. As a result, a small number of taxpayers will have their returns automatically adjusted, and the result may be a lower refund than expected. Taxpayers who have already filed do not need to take any action to correct their returns.
More information can be found on their FAQ page, including a dedicated phone line for taxpayers with questions.
Thank You
 Thank you to everyone who joined us and shared their perspective. Please continue to do so. I know there is a lot going on in our communities and nationally. Now, more than ever, its important as we stay engaged and hold space for each other. More updates to come as we move into week two of session and beyond!
Best,
 Travis Nelson
State Representative
House District 44
Capitol Phone: 503-986-1444
Capitol Address: 900 Court St. NE, H-275, Salem, Oregon 97301
Email: Rep.TravisNelson@oregonlegislature.gov
Website: http://www.oregonlegislature.gov/nelson
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