Gov. Tina Kotek’s transportation funding bill has seen more gridlock than a Portland rush hour. It may get moving again Monday.

The Senate is scheduled to meet at 9 a.m. in order to take up House Bill 3991, Kotek’s proposal to raise the state’s gas tax, along with other taxes and fees. If all goes as Democratic leaders hope, the bill will be headed to the governor’s desk by lunchtime.

That will depend on who is present when the chamber gavels in. Democrats have said for weeks they have the 18 votes — three-fifths of the state Senate’s 30 members — required to pass a tax increase.

The problem has been attendance. State Sen. Chris Gorsek, D-Gresham, supports the bill, but was hospitalized after experiencing complications following a recent surgery. With Gorsek key to HB 3991’s hopes, Democrats have twice delayed a Senate vote. They initially hoped to pass the bill to Kotek’s desk on Sept. 3, after the governor called a special session on Labor Day weekend.

In the meantime, Oregon Department of Transportation employees and the unions that represent them have watched nervously. Without the new money Kotek’s tax and fee hikes are expected to bring to the state, ODOT has said it will lay off nearly 10% of its workforce.

The bill lawmakers are considering is expected to raise $4.3 billion from increased taxes and fees over its first decade — money that would benefit ODOT, local governments and public transit agencies.

If passed, HB 3991 would raise gas taxes by 6 cents per gallon, hike vehicle registration and titling fees, raise costs for drivers of electric and hybrid vehicles, and temporarily double a payroll tax that funds public transit. It would also alter the taxing system for heavy trucks, a tweak that was crucial to get freight interests on board. And the bill would require more frequent audits of the transportation department, which has faced backlash from lawmakers and the public for runaway project costs.

Even with all of those provisions, many see Kotek’s bill as a temporary fix.

Monday’s expected vote comes as lawmakers convene in the state Capitol for “legislative days,” periodic meetings to hold hearings on issues of interest and vote on gubernatorial appointments.

News Source : https://www.opb.org/article/2025/09/29/oregon-transportation-taxes-tina-kotek-senate-democrats-bill-hb-3991/