Because of our collective efforts and voluminous public testimony, the first arts and culture bill of the 2025 Oregon Legislative Session was signed into law last week. HB 3190, spearheaded by Rep. Rob Nosse at the request of Restore Oregon, will restart the Special Assessment for Historic Properties program for commercial property owners throughout Oregon. This program helps invest in our state’s historic properties to ensure they are preserved, renovated and maintained responsibly.  

Since 1975, Oregon has incentivized investment in historic properties through the Special Assessment for Historic Properties program; but it “sunsetted” or ended in June 2024. HB 3190 reauthorizes a new version of this program to once again provide a financial tool specifically for commercial property owners. It will play an important role in helping invest and revitalize these properties by providing a long-term 10-year incentive, which is an essential stabilizing benefit for Oregon’s downtowns, many of which are struggling.

The program offers commercial properties a specially assessed lower value (calculated by the county assessor) for a ten-year benefit term in exchange for making appropriate improvements to the historic property. 

“At a time when our “main streets,” commercial corridors, and downtowns across the state need an infusion of support and financial investment, including new tools to create housing, HB 3190 will help change direction and make a big impact, said Nicole Possert, Executive Director of Restore Oregon. “While many other states offer multiple tools and financial incentives, Oregon currently had none.  That has now changed as HB 3190 was passed by the Oregon Legislature and signed into law by Governor Kotek.”

“HB 3190 is about honoring the past while planning for the future. With this bill now signed into law, Oregon is being intentional in its effort to protect our historic buildings and the cultural fabric they represent. It’s a big deal. These are the spaces that make Oregon unique, not just for tourism or nostalgia, but because they hold the stories of who we are. I’m proud we got this done” said Representative Rob Nosse.

There are not enough ways to say THANK YOU – but Restore Oregon and our Policy and Advocacy Committee who led this effort could not have done this without the overwhelming public support shown throughout the legislative process!  In fact there were approximately 270 individual pieces of public testimony submitted on this bill – thank you again to each of you who contributed to this collective success!  

HB 3190 was led by Rep. Nosse and 17 additional Representative and Senator co-sponsors and was a key legislative priority of the Arts & Culture Caucus, co-chaired by Rep. Nosse (HD 32) and Senator Anderson (SD 5). Advocacy and support was led by Restore Oregon and the Cultural Advocacy Coalition of Oregon.  Technical expertise and policy support was provided by the Oregon State Historic Preservation Office. The effort included support and testimony from many commercial property owners throughout the state, the City of Portland, Architectural Heritage Center, Klamath Falls Downtown Association, Friends of Historic Forest Grove to the Britt Music and Arts Festival.  

As part of a slate of legislation put forward by the Arts & Culture Caucus, this bill represents an important step in supporting Oregon’s artistic and cultural focal points.  

HB 3190 unanimously passed in the House with a vote of 55-0 on April 8, 2025 and in the Senate with a vote of 25-2 on May 21, 2025. Governor Tina Kotek signed into law on May 28, 2025.