Below are important legislative dates to consider as we look ahead towards the 2027 Legislative Session.   

• September 8–10: Legislative Days 
• September 11: Deadline to submit Legislative Counsel (LC) bill drafting requests 
• November 3: General Election 
• December 1: Deadline for Legislative Counsel (LC) to return drafted bills 
• December 1–3: Legislative Days 
• December 11: Deadline to file bills for the legislative session   

Proposed Rule CMS-2449-P and Medicaid Directed Payment Limits - Stakeholder and Legislator Comment Submissions: 

Recent rulemaking proposed by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) would significantly reduce funding for EMS supplemental payment programs in Oregon. These programs help increase Medicaid reimbursement for EMS providers and are especially important for rural agencies that serve a high percentage of Medicaid patients, operate with lower call volumes, and must maintain 24/7 emergency response coverage. 

While Congress debated H.R. 1, stakeholders and partners worked extensively to educate lawmakers about the importance of supplemental payment programs in maintaining access to emergency medical care. As a result, H.R. 1 limited provider tax and supplemental payment program reductions to four provider types - inpatient hospitals, outpatient hospitals, nursing facilities, and physician services at academic medical centers - leaving EMS programs unaffected. 

However, CMS has proposed rules that go beyond the intent of the legislation. Under proposed rule CMS-2449-P, supplemental payment programs would be reduced for all provider types, including EMS. Although most provider types would see these reductions phased in over time, the current proposal would create a funding cliff for EMS in 2029, immediately reducing supplemental payments to 100% of Medicare rates. 

Our legislative team has been actively advocating on behalf of the fire service and our partners by submitting formal comments on proposed rule CMS-2449-P regarding Medicaid directed payment limits. We have also worked closely with stakeholders to coordinate and strengthen our collective advocacy efforts. 

In addition, we partnered with Representative Grayber to circulate a legislative sign-on letter expressing concern about the proposal's impact on emergency medical services. The letter received signatures from 35 legislators, demonstrating strong bipartisan recognition of the critical role these supplemental payment programs play in preserving access to EMS. 

While this support is encouraging, additional advocacy is still needed. Earlier this month, we issued a call to action asking every member agency to submit comments describing how the proposed rule would affect the emergency medical services they provide and the communities they serve. Individual stories and examples from EMS providers across Oregon help illustrate the real-world consequences of these proposed changes and strengthen our collective voice as CMS considers the final rule. We appreciate everyone who submitted comments on this! 

We are including links to the following resources: 

• CMS Legislator Sign-On 

• Rep. Grayber’s Press Statement (Proposed CMS Rule Threatens Emergency Medical Services Across Oregon) 

• Fire and EMS Chapter of SDAO, OFDDA, and OFCA Coalition Letter 

Fire 35 Stakeholders Convene to Discuss 2027 Wildfire Priorities: 

The “Fire 35” participants who worked hard to pass the Wildfire Funding Package (HB 3940) in 2025, along with members of the Wildfire Programs Advisory Council, will meet in early August to discuss wildfire-related issues and priorities for the 2027 Legislative Session. The meeting will provide an opportunity for participating organizations to share any wildfire-related legislation they are developing and identify a few key priorities where there may be broad alignment and support. 

Representatives from a diverse range of industries and organizations will participate in these discussions, bringing a variety of perspectives to help identify shared legislative priorities. 

Oregon HOME Rulemaking Update and Public Comment Opportunity: 

The Oregon HOME rulemaking process is currently underway following the passage of HB 2258 during the 2025 legislative session. The Oregon fire service has emphasized the importance of being actively involved in these conversations to ensure that fire and life safety considerations are incorporated into the final rules. 

Oregon HOME Rulemaking Draft Rules 

Key issues under discussion include: 

• Emergency access requirements and the need for an adequate water supply for fire response. 

• The proposed 5-foot setback and its potential conflicts with existing fire and life safety codes. 

• Defensible space requirements and how they may conflict with heritage tree protection requirements. 

Public Comment Opportunity 

The public comment period is open from July 1 through August 2, 2026. Comments will be accepted until 11:55 p.m. on August 2. 

Comments may be submitted by: 

• Completing the online comment form. 

• Emailing housing.dlcd@dlcd.oregon.gov. 

Additional information about the rulemaking process is available on the Oregon Department of Land Conservation and Development's Rulemaking webpage. 

The Oregon fire service, including the Fire and EMS Chapter of SDAO, are working collaboratively to develop and submit joint comments on the proposed draft rules. 

Governor’s Prosperity Council Officially Releases 10 Recommendations:   

Governor Tina Kotek established her Prosperity Council in January 2026 to advise her on both immediate and long-term strategies to advance the goals outlined in her Prosperity Roadmap. The Council was tasked with developing recommendations to strengthen Oregon's business climate, build a stronger workforce, and modernize the state's economic development tools. Its goal is to help Oregon retain and grow existing businesses, attract new investment, expand economic opportunity, and ensure prosperity is shared across every region of the state. 

The Council finalized its recommendations after an extensive statewide engagement process. Working with the Governor's Regional Solutions team, the Chief Prosperity Officer, and other state leaders, the Council held public meetings, listening sessions, and individual stakeholder conversations across Oregon. It also reviewed written comments and gathered input through a statewide survey. Together, these efforts generated thousands of recommendations from businesses, workers, community organizations, local governments, economic development partners, and residents, helping shape the final report. 

The full report is linked and below you will find a summary of the Council's ten recommendations: 

1. Transform Business Oregon into the Oregon Commerce Authority. 
2. Strengthen Oregon's economic competitiveness through tax policy by: 
   • Modernizing the research and development tax credit. 
   • Updating the estate tax. 
   • Reforming the Corporate Activity Tax. 
   • Restoring the qualified small business stock incentive. 
   • Establishing a balanced, nonpartisan tax reform working group to develop a long-term proposal. 
3. Establish enforceable statewide permitting timelines and safeguards. 
4. Reduce regulatory and administrative burdens by 20 percent by 2029. 
5. Adopt a market-based Cap and Invest program to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. 
6. Create a dedicated, recurring site readiness and infrastructure fund of $250 million every two years. 
7. Modernize state laws and policies governing land for industrial and business development. 
8. Establish a Governor's Cabinet for Economic and Talent Development. 
9. Better align higher education funding with other West Coast states. 
10.  Advance these recommendations through coordinated implementation and continued collaboration. 

 Oregon-Prosperity-Council-Report_June-2026 1.pdf  

The Prosperity Council has encouraged Governor Kotek to make these recommendations a priority and move quickly to begin implementation. Council members have also committed to supporting the Governor as this work moves forward.