SB 1521
Prohibits cities and counties within the Portland MSA from enforcing requirements that developers provide affordable units in multiunit dwellings unless the city or county first calculates the developers' average expected losses due to providing affordable housing and the city or county offsets those losses.
| Status | Governors Office - Awaiting Signature |
| Requested by | (at the request of Senate Interim Committee on Housing and Development) |
| Fiscal impact | Fiscal impact issued |
| Revenue impact | No revenue impact |
Bill Text
The bill prohibits Portland MSA cities and counties from enforcing affordable housing requirements unless they offset developers’ losses from providing affordable units.
Overview#
Digest: This Act makes Portland-area cities and counties make up the usual costs to a builder when making the builder add low-cost homes. (Flesch Readability Score: 61.4). Prohibits cities and counties within the Portland MSA from enforcing requirements that developers provide affordable units in multiunit dwellings unless the city or county first calculates the developers’ average expected losses due to providing affordable housing and the city or county offsets those losses. Becomes operative for rental housing on January 1, 2028. Becomes operative for all housing on January 1, 2029.
Public Testimony
| Name | Organization | Position | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Michael Andersen | Sightline Institute | Support | 2026-02-02 |
| Philip Higgins | Newberg | Support | 2026-02-03 |
| Ramsay Weit | Portland | Oppose | 2026-02-03 |
| Derek Bradley | City of Portland | Neutral | 2026-02-04 |
| Sarah Radcliffe | Portland | Support | 2026-02-04 |
| Jennifer Shuch | Portland Neighbors Welcome | Support | 2026-02-04 |
| Kevin Cronin | Housing Oregon | Support | 2026-02-04 |
| WILLIAM LOVELACE | Grants Pass | Neutral | 2026-02-05 |
| Zachary Lindahl | Beaverton | Oppose | 2026-02-05 |
| Amy Ruiz | Portland | Support | 2026-02-05 |
| Beth Deitchman | Portland | Support | 2026-02-06 |
| Debbie Kitchin | Portland | Support | 2026-02-06 |
| Zach Lindahl | Multifamily NW | Neutral | 2026-02-26 |
| Philip Higgins | Newberg | Support | 2026-02-27 |
| Michael Andersen | Sightline Institute | Support | 2026-02-27 |
| Michael Andersen | Sightline Institute | Support | 2026-02-27 |
| David Wall | Newberg | Oppose | 2026-02-27 |
Legislative History
| Date | Chamber | Action |
|---|---|---|
| 2026-02-02 | S | Introduction and first reading. Referred to President's desk. |
| 2026-02-02 | S | Referred to Housing and Development. |
| 2026-02-05 | S | Public Hearing held. |
| 2026-02-12 | S | Work Session held. |
| 2026-02-18 | S | Recommendation: Do pass with amendments. (Printed A-Eng.) |
| 2026-02-19 | S | Second reading. |
| 2026-02-20 | S | Third reading. Carried by Pham. Passed. |
| 2026-02-24 | H | First reading. Referred to Speaker's desk. |
| 2026-02-24 | H | Referred to Rules. |
| 2026-02-27 | H | Public Hearing held. |
| 2026-03-03 | H | Work Session held. |
| 2026-03-03 | H | Recommendation: Do pass. |
| 2026-03-03 | H | Second reading. |
| 2026-03-04 | H | Third reading. Carried by Gamba. Passed. |
| 2026-03-05 | S | President signed. |
| 2026-03-05 | H | Speaker signed. |