SB 1541
Establishes the Climate Superfund Cost Recovery Program as an interagency response to the effects of climate change.
Jurisdiction
Oregon
Session
2026 Regular Session
At the request of
(at the request of Senate Interim Committee on Natural Resources and Wildfire)
Committee
Ways and Means
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Sign in to take actionPublic sentiment
Support
82%
Oppose
18%
- Introduced
- Passed Senate
- Passed House
- To Governor
- Became Law
Bill overview
Senate Bill 1541 establishes the Climate Superfund Cost Recovery Program, designed to address the financial impacts of climate change. The program will operate through an interagency team led by the Department of Land Conservation and Development, assessing the costs of greenhouse gas emissions and issuing demands for recovery. It will also create a dedicated account to fund climate change resilience projects, prioritizing projects that benefit vulnerable communities and align with a state-wide resilience strategy.
Sponsors
Official sponsors from legislative records.
Primary sponsor
Senate Interim Committee on Natural Resources and Wildfire
Arguments in favor
Reasons to support this legislation.
Supporters of Senate Bill 1541 and Climate Resilience Superfund bills emphasize the need for corporations to take responsibility for their environmental impact, citing devastating climate-related disasters such as wildfires and pollution's effects on vulnerable populations. They advocate for laws and policies to mitigate climate change, including holding polluters accountable through a fund or superfund to pay for damage caused by their emissions. Many testifiers share personal experiences of being affected by climate change, highlighting the need for shared responsibility in addressing its impacts. The majority support creating a Climate Resilience Superfund to hold polluters accountable and promote sustainability, with some arguing that corporations should bear the consequences of their actions rather than taxpayers. Overall, supporters emphasize the urgent need for action to address the climate crisis and its disproportionate impact on Oregon's communities, advocating for measures that prioritize accountability, fairness, and environmental responsibility.
Source: Testimony Summaries
Arguments opposed
Reasons to oppose this legislation.
Opponents of Senate Bill 1541 express strong concerns that the legislation will impose unnecessary taxes on Oregonians and businesses, leading to increased costs for households and businesses, threatening jobs and undermining confidence in the state's economic future. They argue that the proposed "Climate Superfund" is a costly tax that will burden taxpayers and businesses without delivering accountability or results, and that it unfairly targets companies with loosely defined carbon emissions. Many testifiers also express concerns about the bill's impact on local communities, rural Oregon, and lower-income families, citing potential increases in fuel costs, reduced job opportunities, and increased economic burdens. Some argue that the legislation is a thinly veiled carbon tax, an environmental shakedown, or a financial burden on businesses with no practical application for addressing climate change. Overall, opponents of SB 1541 believe that the bill's negative impacts will outweigh any potential benefits, making it essential to reject the measure.
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