It has been a decade since Oregon launched OReGO, the nation’s first road-user charge pilot designed to test whether drivers could be taxed by miles driven rather than by fuel consumed. What began as a small voluntary program is now on track to become a statewide mandate for certain vehicles, marking a major shift in how Oregon plans to pay for its transportation system.
The timing reflects a growing fiscal challenge. Fuel tax revenues — long the backbone of state transportation budgets — continue to decline as vehicles become more efficient, as electric vehicle adoption accelerates, and as inflation erodes the purchasing power of gas tax revenues collected at the pump. State officials say a per-mile charge offers a more stable and predictable income stream as vehicle technology evolves.
But as the Beaver State moves from pilot to adoption, it remains unclear to what degree there is public acceptance of the concept and whether a user-pays system can work at scale.
Even with those uncertainties, the Oregon Department of Transportation’s innovative programs policy adviser Scott Boardman provided an update on where the rollout stands. Here are the main takeaways:
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Adoption is set for July 1, 2027
Unlike the pilot, which relied on volunteer drivers, the road-user charge will apply automatically to electric vehicles already registered in Oregon. Newly registered EVs and hybrids will be added the following year.
A substantial amount of work remains before the launch. ODOT must integrate its systems with DMV, modernize the state’s fuel‑tax infrastructure, and complete data‑exchange protocols with private account managers. Officials note that a few “punch‑list” tasks may slip beyond the go‑live date, but the core systems are expected to be ready.
External contractors will continue managing enrollment, mileage reporting, billing, and customer service. ODOT says the model is far more developed than it was at the start of the pilot, with standardized reporting and improved data security.
The per-mile rate is just over two cents and tied to the fuel tax, at least for now
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Under current statute, the per-mile rate is set at 5 percent of the state fuel-tax rate, or just over two cents per mile. The rate will adjust automatically if the fuel-tax rate changes. Over time, lawmakers may choose to decouple the two, allowing the per-mile charge to evolve independently.
A statewide referendum is expected in November on the broader transportation funding bill, but the road-user charge provisions are not part of the measure. Revenue from the per-mile charge is projected to begin flowing in 2029, with more substantial increases forecast between 2031 and 2035.
Privacy protections remain largely unchanged
Privacy concerns dominated early debates over OReGO, as opponents of the concept argued that a distance-based system could allow the state to track driver location. But the enabling legislation carries forward many of the pilot’s safeguards: The law requires destruction of driver data after billing and limits access to personally identifiable information to vehicle owners, financial institutions, account managers, and law enforcement under defined circumstances.
Drivers will still be able to decide how their mileage is reported — a feature meant to keep both data handling and billing arrangements under their control. After 10 years without a reported breach, ODOT hopes the program’s track record will help ease public concerns as the program becomes mandatory.
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Charging out‑of‑state vehicles is still unresolved
Since 2013, Oregon has been part of a coalition of 18 western states called RUC America exploring whether a road‑usage charge could work within their own transportation systems. The consortium allows state DOTs to pool expertise, share research, and potentially jointly develop pilots and policy frameworks. The group has already backed a wide range of studies and demonstrations and continues to steer multi-state exploration of RUC approaches.
Discussions are underway among the consortium to explore potential reciprocity agreements, but officials say no consensus has emerged. The challenge involves both design and policy considerations, including how to verify mileage, how to reconcile differing state systems, and how to ensure that charges are applied consistently across jurisdictions.
ODOT views RUC America as a vehicle for addressing this issue after the program launches.
Public outreach is underway
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According to ODOT, public understanding of transportation funding remains limited. Participation in the OReGO pilot was modest, and surveys found that many drivers had only a basic grasp of how fuel taxes work or why the state is considering a new approach.
To prepare drivers for the shift, the agency is rolling out a statewide outreach campaign. A communications consultant will oversee public‑relations work, and informational materials will be sent out ahead of registration renewals. ODOT also plans to partner with auto dealers so sales and finance staff can explain the new requirements for eligible vehicles.
These efforts, officials say, are meant to close the awareness gaps revealed during the pilot, build trust, and help drivers understand what the new system will mean for them.
More than a decade after OReGO’s launch, Oregon is preparing to take a major step toward replacing the gas tax with a per-mile charge. The pilot demonstrated that the technology works, that privacy protections can be enforced, and that drivers can navigate the enrollment and billing process. What remains to be seen is how the system performs at scale — and how the public responds once participation is no longer optional.
Kam Wah Chung and Company was a home, a general store, a community center and a medical clinic, where co-owner Ing Hay served as a beloved doctor to residents across the region.
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Courtesy of the Oregon Historical Society / OPB
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In Eastern Oregon’s John Day, a 160-year-old building holds one of the biggest collections of traditional Chinese medicine in the world. Kam Wah Chung and Company, once part of a thriving Chinatown, was owned and operated by Lung On and Ing Hay for over half a century. It was a home, a general store, a community center and a medical clinic where Ing Hay served as a beloved doctor to residents across the region. His practice included herbal remedies, noninvasive treatments, essential women’s healthcare and more.
Archaeologists and historians are continuing to deepen our understanding of the legacy of Kam Wah Chung and traditional Chinese medicine in Eastern Oregon. We join them to learn more about Ing Hay’s important contributions to rural communities in John Day and beyond, as part of our special series in collaboration with OPB’s “Oregon Experience,” the Southern Oregon University Laboratory of Anthropology and Jefferson Public Radio about unearthing Oregon history.
Listen to all episodes of “The Evergreen” podcast here.
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PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — A shelter-in-place order has been lifted and a suspect is in custody following a shooting and domestic disturbance investigation in Sandy on Sunday, police said.
Around 8:30 p.m., the Sandy Police Department made the announcement on social media that the suspect was in custody with “no ongoing threat to the community.”
This comes after the suspect had been “confined to residence” one hour earlier.
Just after 5 p.m., an initial social media post by Sandy police said that officers and other agencies were on the scene near 39500 Evans Street due to a “domestic disturbance and reported shooting.”
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The shelter-in-place order remained in effect for hours and people were asked to avoid the area.
KOIN 6 News crews saw several ambulances lined up on the street near the site and armored vehicles entering the scene.
We will update this article as we find out more details.
Video shows retirement party for Oregon Fish & Wildlife Conservation K-9
Oregon’s first Fish & Wildlife Conservation K-9, Buck, was deployed 184 times across the state before his retirement.
Oregonians can fish, clam and crab for free during Oregon’s annual Free Fishing Weekend in June.
The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife said it will hold another free fishing weekend June 6-7, offering all Oregonians and nonresidents the chance to fish for free across the state for two days.
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No fishing or shellfish licenses or tags, endorsements or validations are required on these days. Oregon State Parks will also offer free parking at state parks on June 6.
While fishing may be free, ODFW said that all other fishing regulations apply. That includes single rod limitations, bag limits, size restrictions and closures.
Fishing regulations are available online and MyODFW.com for any in-season regulation updates.
Here’s what to know about Oregon June 2026 free fishing weekend.
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Will Oregon lakes be stocked for 2026 free fishing weekend?
ODFW will be stocking many of Oregon’s lakes and ponds with rainbow trout for free fishing weekend.
People are encouraged to visit the recreation report at ODFW’s website to find the best fishing spots, and to check out the trout stocking schedule for stocking locations.
ODFW said that drought conditions will make a difference this year and some smaller lakes and ponds might be warmer than usual. The agency suggested fishing earlier in the day or fishing for warm water fish like bass, bluegill and crappie.
How to go crabbing and clamming during Oregon’s June 2026 free fishing weekend
For Oregonians who have never tried crabbing or clamming, free fishing weekend can be a good opportunity to learn.
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ODFW provides information on how to get started crabbing on its website. It includes tips and tricks on how to crab, where to crab, how to measure a crab and how to tell if it is male or female.
People can also visit the website for information on how to get started clamming, including how to dig for clams, where to dig for clams and what species to look for.
As of May 26, crabbing is open coastwide. Razor clamming is only allowed from the Washington border to Cape Blanco. It is currently prohibited from Cape Blanco to the California border.
The agency warns that closures can happen at any time, especially closures related to shellfish biotoxins, or toxins carried by shellfish that can cause serious illness.
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For updated recreational shellfish biotoxin closures, visit the ODA website or call the shellfish biotoxin hotline at 1-800-448-2474.
To get updated harvesting statuses, people can visit the Oregon Department of Agriculture website.
To check for additional closures during free fishing weekend, people can visit myodfw.com.
What are some events happening during fishing weekend?
ODFW and volunteers will be hosting free events around Oregon on June 6. These events will offer equipment and hands-on instruction for beginners learning how to fish.
Some of the scheduled events include:
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Twin Ponds in Ukiah from 9 a.m. to noon on June 6
Olalla Reservoir in Toledo from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on June 6
Silverton Marine Park in Silverton from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. on June 6
Cleawox Lake in Florence from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on June 6
Henry Hagg Lake in Gaston from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. on June 6
Alton Baker Park in Eugene will hold a youth-only event for anglers 17 and younger from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on June 6
Small Fry Lake in Estacada from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on June 6.
Ginnie Sandoval is the Oregon Connect reporter for the Statesman Journal. Sandoval is a lifelong Oregonian who covers trending news, entertainment, food and outdoors. She can be reached at GSandoval@statesmanjournal.com or on X at @GinnieSandoval.
