Summary of the Senate Bill 1599 is a legislative proposal to move the public vote on a controversial 6-cent gas tax increase and higher vehicle fees from the November 2026 general election to the May 19, 2026, primary. Democratic leadership introduced the bill in February 2026. However, critics argue this move is a strategic attempt to hold the vote during a lower-turnout election to ensure the tax hike passes. See below to submit your testimony opposing the change of dates and also a preformatted-email to send to the legislators.
How to Take Action
Submit Official Testimony:
You can submit your testimony online through the Oregon Legislative Information System (OLIS). Use the link below, click the “Submit Testimony” tab, and select “Opposed” to make your voice heard.
- Link to Bill: SB 1599 – Oregon Legislative Information System
Sample Testimony:
“I oppose SB 1599 and urge the committee to vote against it. The people of Oregon deserve to decide on these taxes during the high-turnout November general election, not in May. Important financial decisions affecting all citizens should be made when the most voters are participating.”
Email Your Legislators:
Contacting Democratic legislators: the primary supporters of this date change is a highly effective way to voice your concerns. There is also a very easy, fast pre-formatted email ready to send. Just Click the Submit Objection Button and add your name at the bottom then hit send. If coming from a Facebook link, once you open this website click the three dots at the upper right corner and select “open in external system browser” then click the “Submit Formal Objection” button.
Sample email letter:
Subject: Keep the No Tax Referendum on the November 2026 Ballot
Dear Representatives and Senators,
I am writing to formally object to the Oregon Legislature’s use of an “emergency clause” in SB 1599 to move the No Tax Referendum from the November 2026 general election to the May primary.
There is no legitimate emergency. While leaders cite a $242 million ODOT shortfall, no bill currently addresses it. Procedural measures like SB 1542 and SB 1543 do nothing to resolve an immediate crisis. This makes the emergency claim false and purely political.
Moving the referendum to a low-turnout May election disenfranchises voters and undermines the constitutional right of referendum. The measure qualified for the November ballot in record time and must remain there.
If this action is not corrected, citizens will pursue a declaratory judgment under ORS Chapter 28, challenging SB 1599 as unconstitutional under Article IV, Section 28. Responsibility will rest with all officials who allowed or supported this action.
Oregonians are done being ignored. Fix this.
Respectfully,
Democratic Legislators Email Addresses:
Email Addresses:
Sen.AnthonyBroadman@oregonlegislature.gov
Sen.WlnsveyCampos@oregonlegislature.gov
Sen.LewFrederick@oregonlegislature.gov
Sen.SaraGelser@oregonlegislature.gov
Sen.JeffGolden@oregonlegislature.gov
Sen.ChrisGorsek@oregonlegislature.gov
Sen.KayseJama@oregonlegislature.gov
Sen.KateLieber@oregonlegislature.gov
Sen.JamesManning@oregonlegislature.gov
Sen.MarkMeek@oregonlegislature.gov
Sen.CourtneyNeronMisslin@oregonlegislature.gov
Sen.DebPatterson@oregonlegislature.gov
Sen.KhanhPham@oregonlegislature.gov
Sen.FloydProzanski@oregonlegislature.gov
Sen.LisaReynolds@oregonlegislature.gov
Sen.JaneenSollman@oregonlegislature.gov
Sen.KathleenTaylor@oregonlegislature.gov
Sen.RobWagner@oregonlegislature.gov
Rep.TomAndersen@oregonlegislature.gov
Rep.BenBowman@oregonlegislature.gov
Rep.FarrahChaichi@oregonlegislature.gov
Rep.WillyChotzen@oregonlegislature.gov
Rep.AprilDobson@oregonlegislature.gov
Rep.PaulEvans@oregonlegislature.gov
Rep.JulieFahey@oregonlegislature.gov
Rep.LisaFragala@oregonlegislature.gov
Rep.MarkGamba@oregonlegislature.gov
Rep.DavidGomberg@oregonlegislature.gov
Rep.DaciaGrayber@oregonlegislature.gov
Rep.AnnessaHartman@oregonlegislature.gov
Rep.KenHelm@oregonlegislature.gov
Rep.ZachHudson@oregonlegislature.gov
Rep.ShannonIsadore@oregonlegislature.gov
Rep.CyrusJavadi@oregonlegislature.gov
Rep.JasonKropf@oregonlegislature.gov
Rep.EmersonLevy@oregonlegislature.gov
Rep.JohnLively@oregonlegislature.gov
Rep.PamMarsh@oregonlegislature.gov
Rep.SarahFingerMcDonald@oregonlegislature.gov
Rep.SusanMclain@oregonlegislature.gov
Rep.LeslyMunoz@oregonlegislature.gov
Rep.NancyNathanson@oregonlegislature.gov
Rep.TravisNelson@oregonlegislature.gov
Rep.DanielNguyen@oregonlegislature.gov
Rep.RobNosse@oregonlegislature.gov
Rep.HaiPham@oregonlegislature.gov
Rep.SueRiekeSmith@oregonlegislature.gov
Rep.RickiRuiz@oregonlegislature.gov
Rep.TawnaSanchez@oregonlegislature.gov
Rep.NathanSosa@oregonlegislature.gov
Rep.ThuyTran@oregonlegislature.gov
Rep.AndreaValderrama@oregonlegislature.gov
Rep.JulesWalters@oregonlegislature.gov
Rep.MariWatanabe@oregonlegislature.gov
Rep.LamarWise@oregonlegislature.gov
