Sharing Good News from the 2026 Legislative Session

The 2026 Oregon legislative session is officially over. Even though it was fast and sometimes tense, we won several important victories that will help improve health in communities across the state.

Here’s what we got done and what comes next:

Cardiac Emergency Response Plans (HB 4160)
This new law requires every Oregon school to have a cardiac emergency response plan by fall 2027. It makes sure schools keep their AEDs in working order, place them where people can reach them quickly, and have staff trained to use them when every second matters. All coaches will also need CPR training.

Updated Tobacco Products Definition (SB 1571)
This law updates the state’s definition of a tobacco product, so it matches what is actually being sold. This allows the state to regulate fast‑growing products like oral nicotine pouches, which are highly addictive, the same way as other tobacco products.

School Meals
We did not get a universal school meals policy this year. But thanks to strong advocacy from partners, community members, and supporters like you, we protected $27 million for Oregon Hunger‑Free Schools. This means thousands of students will keep getting the meals they depend on every day. This is a big win during a tough budget year and shows that feeding kids is a top priority.

Thank you to everyone who emailed, called, or met with lawmakers to support these bills.