Advocacy

Legislative Update from Salem

The 2025 session has passed the halfway mark with the first major bill deadline behind us. This deadline signaled the end of approximately 1,000 bills that failed to move out of committee. The Chamber is still tracking approximately 150 bills, including several priority bills related to housing production and infrastructure funding.

read more

Paving the Way for Bend’s Transportation Future

City Council Reviews Phase 2 Transportation Fee Rates   On Wednesday, April 16, the Bend City Council gave input to City Staff on rates for Phase 2 of the Transportation Fee. The Phase 2 draft fee schedule is available at bendoregon.gov/transportation-fee. The...

read more

Local Policy Updates: City Council Sets Goals for 2025-27 Biennium

While much of the attention is focused on policymakers in Salem during the Legislative session, important policy work is continuing at the local level. The first months of the year after an election are a time for the new City Council to set goals for the following two-year biennium—July 2025-June 2027. 

read more

Important Update on Key Legislation

In our last update from Salem, we shared information about a priority bill that supports our recreation and outdoor industries – HB 3140. We have a call to action to support the bill as awaits a hearing in the House Judiciary Committee.

read more

Legislative Update from Salem

This session, the Chamber is tracking over 150 bills in a variety of issue areas, from economic development and tax reform to childcare and housing issues. In short, there is a lot under discussion in Salem.

read more

Chamber Advocacy Council Welcomes New Members

by Sara Odendahl, Director of Government Affairs, Bend Chamber Advocacy and member engagement are at the core of the Chamber’s mission, “Creating an environment where businesses, their employees and our community excel together through collaboration, advocacy,...

read more

City Approves UGB Expansion for Southeast Bend

City Council approved adding 91 acres in southeast Bend to the city’s urban growth boundary (UGB) on a 4-2 decision. The new site, called Caldera Ranch, will produce 700 units of housing via an expedited UGB process authorized by legislation in the 2024 session.

read more

Measure 118: Defeat the Costly Tax on Sales

Earlier this summer, the Bend Chamber signed on to the opposition campaign to defeat Measure 118. With a month remaining until the election the campaign the Defeat the Costly Tax on Sales campaign released its first TV spot on September 27, initiating its statewide...

read more

Election Season Heating Up Across Oregon

With less than 60 days until the November 5 General Election, candidates will begin to make a final push to educate and sway voters. The 2024 ballot will have Bend voters considering future City Councilors, State Representatives and a State Senator, and several...

read more

An Active Summer Agenda for City Council

Summer is upon us, but the work of our local policymakers is still going strong. City Council has an active summer agenda with important policy conversations underway ranging from transportation and mobility projects to electrification policies. Feedback and citizen...

read more

SDC Proposal Moving Forward

Earlier this week City Council gave initial approval to a revised System Development Charge (SDC) methodology and fee schedule. This discussion and vote are the culmination of over a year of work by City staff and stakeholders to revise how SDCs are charged for...

read more

The Bend Chamber is actively supported by these Signature Investors

The owner of this website has made a commitment to accessibility and inclusion, please report any problems that you encounter using the contact form on this website. This site uses the WP ADA Compliance Check plugin to enhance accessibility.
Bend Chamber of Commerce
Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognizing you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful.