Oregon legislation · 2026 Legislative Measures
Oregon HB4020: Relating to permits; and prescribing an effective date.
Status: Chaptered, April 13, 2026
Digest: The Act makes some agencies tell a permit applicant the legal reason for denial and give a guide about contesting the denial. The Act makes some agencies make a KPM for how fast the agency gives out permits. (Flesch Readability Score: 60.6). Requires certain agencies to specify the authority justifying the denial of a permit application and provide the applicant a guide on how to contest the denial. Requires certain agencies to develop a performance measure to measure the timeliness of permit and permit renewal processing and issuance. Takes effect on the 91st day following adjournment sine die.
What the bill says
From the enrolled text, March 6, 2026:
83rd OREGON LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY--2026 Regular Session House Bill 4020 Introduced and printed pursuant to House Rule 12.00. Presession filed (at the request of House Interim Committee on Rules for Representative Ben Bowman) CHAPTER ................................................. Relating to permits; and prescribing an effective date. Whereas state permitting processes are often complex and involve multiple steps, documentation requirements and agency reviews; and Whereas the absence of defined timelines and performance expectations can create uncertainty for applicants attempting to plan construction, hiring, financing or other time-sensitive activities; and Whereas without consistent performance measures related to permit timeliness, agencies and policymakers lack the information necessary to identify bottlenecks, evaluate delays and consider process improvements; now, therefore, SECTION 1. Sections 2 and 3 of this 2026 Act are added to and made a part of ORS chapter 183. SECTION 2. (1) This section applies to the following agencies: (a) The Department of Environmental Quality. (b) The Department of State Lands. (c) The State Department of Energy. (d) The State Department of Geology and Mineral Industries. (2) When an agency listed in subsection (1) of this section denies an application for a permit, as defined in ORS 183.700, the agency shall specify the statutory or regulatory authority justifying the denial and provide the applicant a guide on how to contest the denial and the applicable time limitations …