State legislatures are where much of the most consequential climate policy happens. While federal action captures headlines, state-level bills shape the regulatory frameworks, funding mechanisms, and enforcement structures that determine whether climate commitments translate into real outcomes on the ground.
As TerraFuture's policy team, we track legislation across all 50 states. Here are the measures we believe will have the greatest impact in 2026, along with our assessment of where each stands and what you can do to support strong climate action.
Oregon: Climate Resilience Superfund (SB 1541)
Introduced in the 2026 Oregon legislative session, SB 1541 would create a climate disaster recovery fund financed by the largest fossil fuel companies based on their historical in-state emissions. Revenue would support wildfire recovery, heat-dome resilience, and community-level adaptation infrastructure. The bill is modeled on similar "climate superfund" frameworks adopted in Vermont and New York.
TerraFuture's position: We support SB 1541. Oregonians bear the costs of wildfire smoke, extreme heat, and drought; the bill asks the companies most responsible for driving these impacts to contribute to recovery. We have joined the coalition providing testimony to the Senate Energy and Environment Committee.
Status: Introduced in the 2026 short session. Faces significant industry opposition; passage is uncertain given Oregon's compressed session calendar.
Washington: Clean Buildings Performance Standard — Tier 1 Compliance Arrives
Washington's Clean Buildings Performance Standard (RCW 19.27A, established 2019 and expanded 2022) reaches its first major compliance milestone on June 1, 2026. Commercial buildings over 50,000 square feet must report energy performance and demonstrate progress toward energy use intensity targets. Compliance pathways include direct EUI targets, an "investment criteria" option for deeper retrofits, and extensions for affordable housing and essential facilities.
TerraFuture's position: We support strong CBPS implementation and are working with the Department of Commerce to ensure the affordable housing provisions are not eroded during rulemaking. Compliance costs must not pass through to low-income tenants.
Status: Regulatory implementation, not pending legislation. Tier 1 deadline: June 1, 2026. Tier 2 (20,000–50,000 sq ft buildings): June 1, 2027. Tier 3: June 1, 2028.
State-level climate legislation often receives less public attention than federal policy, but these bills directly shape the daily reality of the communities we work with. Engagement at this level is where individual voices have the most leverage.
California: Community Resilience Centers Program
California's Community Resilience Centers (CRC) Program, administered through the Strategic Growth Council, funds the planning, construction, and retrofit of community resilience hubs across the state. The program offers planning grants of $100,000–$500,000 and implementation grants of $1 million–$10 million, with no match requirement. Priority is given to projects serving communities most vulnerable to extreme heat, wildfire smoke, and power outages.
TerraFuture's position: While we operate primarily in the Pacific Northwest, we have studied the CRC Program as a model and are advocating for similar funding structures in Oregon. Community-based organizations are uniquely positioned to design and operate resilience infrastructure that reflects local needs.
Status: Active, ongoing program. Next application window opens Spring 2026. Complements California's SB 1 Sea Level Rise Adaptation Grant Program ($21.3 million available as of January 2026).
Colorado: Agricultural Soil Health Program (HB21-1181) and Stewardship Tax Credit (HB24-1249)
Colorado's Agricultural Soil Health Program, established under HB21-1181 and administered by the Colorado Department of Agriculture, is a voluntary, producer-driven initiative that partners with conservation districts and nonprofits to advance soil health practices statewide. In 2022 the program received a $25 million USDA Climate-Smart Commodities grant to expand coverage to more than 56,000 acres. Building on this foundation, HB24-1249 (signed in 2024) created a state income tax credit for qualifying stewardship practices including soil health improvement, water efficiency, and conservation activities.
TerraFuture's position: We endorse this layered approach — technical assistance plus financial incentives for producers who adopt climate-smart practices. Our own community garden data demonstrates the viability of soil health practices at smaller scales, and the Colorado model shows how state programs can work alongside farmer-led adoption.
Status: HB21-1181 program active and expanding. HB24-1249 stewardship tax credit active for tax year 2026.
What You Can Do
Climate legislation succeeds or fails based on public engagement. Here are concrete steps you can take.
Contact your state legislators. A brief phone call or email expressing support for specific bills has measurable impact, particularly at the state level where legislative offices receive far less constituent correspondence than federal offices.
Attend public hearings. Most state legislatures offer remote testimony options. TerraFuture's advocacy team publishes a monthly hearing calendar with instructions for submitting testimony.
Join our Advocacy Network. TerraFuture's Advocacy Network sends timely alerts when key votes approach and provides template language you can customize for your own communications. Over 2,400 members participated in advocacy actions in 2025.
Stay informed. We publish quarterly policy updates on this blog and through our newsletter. Understanding where legislation stands is the first step toward effective advocacy.
The policy landscape is moving rapidly. 2026 offers genuine opportunities to lock in strong climate protections at the state level. Whether these opportunities are realized depends in significant part on whether elected officials hear from constituents who care about these outcomes.
