I know many people are very interested in this initiative: As of late January 2026, Oregon Initiative Petition 2026-054, officially known as the “Local Control & Safety Act,” has just cleared a major procedural hurdle.
The most recent update occurred on January 22, 2026, when the Oregon Elections Division received the certified ballot title from the Attorney General. This move allows the initiative to move closer to the signature-gathering phase for the November 3, 2026, General Election.
Current Status & Key Details:
• The Goal: The initiative seeks to repeal (HB 3115) ORS 195.530. This is a state law (originally passed in 2021) that requires local ordinances regulating sitting, lying, or sleeping on public property to be “objectively reasonable” regarding people experiencing homelessness.
Next Steps in the Process:
Now that the ballot title is certified, any voter who commented on the draft and is unhappy with the final wording has until February 5, 2026, to petition the Oregon Supreme Court for a review. If no appeal is filed, or once the court rules, the petitioners can begin the massive task of collecting the required signatures.
