adopted resolution 2025-500

Adopt the 2026 State and Federal Legislative Agendas

housing
budget finance
economic development
resolution

Department: Government Relations
Introduced by: Councilor Elana Pirtle-Guiney Mayor Keith Wilson
Status: Adopted

Impact statement

Purpose & background

The adoption of the 2026 State and Federal Legislative Agendas guide advocacy in Salem and Washington, DC. The agendas include key priorities and objectives related to the most pressing needs for the City and its residents. The agenda development process began in the summer of 2025, which included a call for issues from council offices and bureaus. City Council established evaluation criteria and legislative priorities in work sessions on September 17 and December 4.

Financial impacts

The City's government relations, lobbying, and advocacy will protect existing revenue streams, defend local authority, and pursue funding opportunities. This resolution does not amend the City's budget, change expenses, or change current or future revenues or staffing levels. The City's Issue Evaluation Criteria includes an assessment of strategic and financial value.

Economic impacts

The agendas contain a number of priorities for improving Portland's economy and development opportunities, including infrastructure and housing investments.

Community impacts

The Office of Government Relations asks Council Offices and Bureaus to describe community impacts and community involvement for each issue submitted for the agenda development process. The City's Issue Evaluation Criteria includes assessments of City's Values and Policies and Equity Impact.

▸ Full text (the legislation as adopted)

WHEREAS, intergovernmental relations strengthen the City of Portland by improving the efficiency of public services, enabling coordinated solutions to shared jurisdictional challenges, and in securing resources and shaping policy; and WHEREAS, intergovernmental relations and advocacy for city priorities are most effective when the City speaks with a unified voice and acts collectively; and WHEREAS, the City of Portland's elected leaders play a critical role in showing governmental partners that the City is unified in its legislative priorities; and WHEREAS, adopting focused State and Federal Legislative Agendas enables unified messaging, clear priorities, and coordinated action across the Mayor, Council, and Administration; and WHEREAS, the Office of Government Relations will use these agendas, along with the established evaluation criteria, to ensure that Portland's advocacy is strategic, consistent, transparent, and aligned with Council and City of Portland values; and WHEREAS, a unified and strategic approach to the City's relationships and advocacy will maximize success in achieving the City's objectives. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that Portland City Council adopts the following items to direct the City's 2026 legislative advocacy: The 2026 State Legislative Agenda The 2026 Federal Legislative Agenda The Issue Evaluation Criteria BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Office of Government Relations is directed to advocate on behalf of the City consistent with these adopted agendas and in coordination with the Mayor, City Council, and City Administration, and in alignment with the Operating Best Practices for Intergovernmental Relations.

Tally

12 yea 0 nay