Governor Kotek Signs Bills to Strengthen Oregon's Economy and Create Jobs

New laws streamline processes for business investment, support small businesses, and promote emerging sectors.

Apr. 8, 2026 at 8:14pm

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A bold, geometric illustration using primary colors and clean lines to conceptually represent the key economic development strategies and metrics outlined in Oregon's new legislation, without any text or identifiable elements.Oregon's legislative actions aim to streamline processes, support small businesses, and promote emerging economic sectors to drive long-term prosperity.Salem Today

Governor Tina Kotek has signed key legislation passed during the 2026 legislative session designed to advance Oregon's economic prosperity. The new laws streamline processes for business investment, support small businesses facing pressures from tariffs, modernize regulatory approaches, and promote emerging sectors of the state's economy.

Why it matters

The Governor's action on laws that strengthen Oregon's economic landscape signals her continued effort to grow jobs, attract investment, enhance regional economic resilience, and position Oregon for long-term success amid national and global challenges. These bills represent a promise that Oregon is open for business and ready to be a partner.

The details

The new laws include measures to streamline permitting for major economic development projects, conduct a comprehensive evaluation of business development programs, modernize environmental regulations, create a micro-enterprise tariff adjustment grant program, fund 'industrial symbiosis' pilot projects, and establish a Blue Economy Task Force to study and develop recommendations for growing Oregon's ocean-related industries.

  • In December 2025, Governor Kotek announced the Prosperity Roadmap, a statewide strategy that emphasizes business growth and retention, job creation, and building on Oregon's assets for future economic growth.
  • The Prosperity Council will next convene in Pendleton on April 15.

The players

Governor Tina Kotek

The Governor of Oregon who signed the key legislation to advance the state's economic prosperity.

Paul Schuytema

The Economic Development Alliance of Lincoln County Director who said predictability, efficiency, and coordination across state agencies is important for capital-intensive projects and industries.

Daniel Nguyen

The State Representative (D-Lake Oswego & SW Portland) and Chair of the House Committee on Economic Development, Small Business, and Trade who said Oregon's era of growth without direct intervention has ended and these policies are a good first step toward prosperity.

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What they’re saying

“Communities in every corner of our state are looking for clear, reliable pathways to help local businesses grow and support family-wage jobs in this challenging economic climate. These bills represent a promise that Oregon is open for business and ready to be a partner.”

— Governor Tina Kotek

“For capital-intensive projects and industries, predictability, efficiency, and coordination across state agencies is just as important as incentives. The comprehensive tools and regulatory streamlining these bills provide will bolster transparency, efficiency, and business opportunity in every corner of Oregon. This is a positive and exciting step forward, and I'm looking forward to continued efforts like these to build Oregon's economic flexibility and competitiveness.”

— Paul Schuytema, Economic Development Alliance of Lincoln County Director

“Our economy is at an inflection point–we need to act now to optimize our natural strength and innovation. Oregon's era of growth without direct intervention has ended. These policies are a good first step toward prosperity, and I thank Governor Kotek for acting with urgency and intention to actively encourage and attract more people, more jobs, and more businesses so that we can generate more revenue and resources for housing, education, healthcare, and all of our shared priorities.”

— Daniel Nguyen, State Representative (D-Lake Oswego & SW Portland), Chair of the House Committee on Economic Development, Small Business, and Trade

What’s next

To achieve the goals laid out in her Prosperity Roadmap, the Governor's Prosperity Council will be delivering final recommendations by June 30, 2026 to inform further legislative and executive action that will bolster Oregon's business climate, workforce opportunities, and economic growth strategies.

The takeaway

These new laws demonstrate Oregon's commitment to actively supporting businesses, streamlining regulations, and investing in emerging economic sectors to drive long-term prosperity and competitiveness for the state. By partnering with the private sector and modernizing its approach, Oregon is positioning itself to weather national and global economic challenges.