Stand together to support local authority
Current Advocacy Activities
The LOC advocates for all Oregon cities, from the smallest cities to the largest, from Eastern Oregon to the coast, in the Legislature, state boards, commissions and agencies.
Our Intergovernmental Relations (IGR) team advocates on a broad range of topics, from water to land use to PERS to property taxes and more.
Legislative Priorities
LOC Board Approves 2025-26 Legislative Priorities
The League of Oregon Cities’ (LOC) Board of Directors unanimously adopted eight legislative priorities for cities for the 2025 and 2026 sessions. The priorities were identified through a committee process and a vote by the LOC’s 241 member cities. The following nine issues received the most votes from members, and were adopted by the LOC Board:
- Infrastructure Funding
- 2025 Transportation Package
- Recreational Immunity
- Behavioral Health Enhancements
- Lodging Tax Flexibility
- Shelter Funding and Homeless Response
- Address Energy Affordability Challenges from Rising Utility Costs
- Operator-in-Training Apprenticeships
- ORS 195.530/HB 3115
Register Now for City Day at the Capitol
City Day at the Capitol is the LOC's premier advocacy event of the legislative session. It’s the opportunity to stand with other city officials from around Oregon in support of the LOC’s advocacy efforts. It is also the time to let legislators know how actions they take could impact local communities and the difficult decisions we make. By coming together, our collective voices will make a difference to advance our legislative agenda.
Lobbying 101 Toolkit
This toolkit includes short training videos, frequently asked questions, helpful links, sample documents, and other tools that will help city officials build confidence in representing their community, and more effectively engage with their lawmakers.
Follow LOC at the Legislature
To stay informed on local government issues managed by the LOC lobby team during session, and to be most effective in their own advocacy efforts, cities can avail themselves of the many tools offered by the LOC. These include the following:
- LOC Bulletin – Delivered electronically every Friday, this publication has the most up-to-date coverage of the status and policy developments relating to bills being tracked by the LOC.
- Bill Tracker – Keep tabs on individual pieces of legislation.
- Social Media – Follow us on Twitter, Facebook and YouTube to stay engaged and help us in our advocacy efforts by sharing and liking posts.
Finally, member cities are invited to call or email the LOC office at any time to talk with a member of the lobby team about a bill. Of particular interest to the advocacy team is local feedback or intelligence that can be offered about a bill, especially perspectives that might be provided concerning a legislator’s views on an issue.
How does LOC determine our legislative agenda?
The LOC’s IGR team receives advocacy direction from the Oregon Municipal Policy (OMP), the LOC Board of Directors, and the LOC policy committee process.
- The OMP is the is one of the League's foundational documents and describes policy stances adopted by the LOC membership.
- The LOC’s 8 policy committees meet during even numbered years and members serve a two-year term advising the LOC on policy related issues during a full legislative cycle. Each committee crafts policies for a ballot that sets the LOC’s priorities for long sessions (odd numbered years). Learn more about policy committees.
- The LOC Board of Directors reviews the policy priority ballot and solidifies the LOC legislative priorities for long sessions. Additionally, the LOC Board provides ongoing guidance on legislative advocacy.
How can our members help with our legislative advocacy?
The LOC encourages member cities to call or email our office at any time to talk with a member of the advocacy team about a bill, provide local feedback about a bill, or share perspectives of a legislator’s views on an issue.