Oregon Legislature Approves Historic Investment in BOLI
Agency to Grow by 30%, Ending Decades of Disinvestment in Workers’ Rights Enforcement
Portland, OR – After decades of underinvestment and record increases of wage and civil rights complaints, the Oregon Legislature approved the Oregon Bureau of Labor and Industries’ (BOLI) budget proposal, marking the most significant investment in the agency in over a generation. The proposal garnered broad and bipartisan support from labor, business leaders, legislators, and the public. It also drew praise for its fiscally responsible approach, relying primarily on other fund sources identified by the agency, rather than the General Fund. With this vote, lawmakers addressed 40 years of disinvestment and set the agency on a path to rebuild critical infrastructure, restore enforcement capacity, and begin to reduce backlogs that have denied timely justice to many Oregonians.
“This is a transformative moment for Oregon,” said Commissioner Christina Stephenson. “For the first time in decades, Oregonians will see the full promise of the laws passed by the Legislature to protect them - made real through enforcement they can count on. Since my first day in office, just two and a half years ago, I’ve been focused on rebuilding this institution so it can meet the scale of its responsibility. That mission has guided every decision, and this budget is the result: the most significant investment BOLI has seen in a generation. This victory belongs to every advocate, contractor, worker, employer, and legislator who recognized the critical work of this agency and answered the call. I am proud to stand with them and proud that together, we’re delivering on the values we share as a state: that every worker deserves to be paid what they’re owed, live and work in an environment free from discrimination and harassment, have a pathway to a living wage career that meets employer’s needs.”
This approved budget will allow BOLI to:
-
Hire additional investigators and begin to reduce backlogs in both the Wage and Hour and Civil Rights Divisions;
-
Lift the wage claim income threshold by the end of 2025, ensuring that all workers can access justice; and
-
Begin restoring foundational capacity to deliver services Oregon businesses and workers expect and deserve.
Representative Kevin Mannix (R-Salem) weighed in on the broad consensus around the proposal, saying, “Support for this investment transcends party lines. Equip BOLI to do its job right, and we reduce cheating, protect civil rights, and help businesses who follow the rules. That is practical, common-sense governance.”
Businesses also welcomed the marked investment, noting that timely, consistent enforcement helps maintain a level playing field. “AGC is appreciative that BOLI has received adequate funding for the critical work they do in Oregon,” said Mike Salsgiver, CEO of American General Contractors Association Oregon Columbia Chapter. “We’re hopeful that this funding will allow BOLI to continue to assist employers and strategically enforce the laws already on the books, for the benefit of all Oregonians.”
Labor leaders praised the moment as a long-overdue step toward living up to Oregon’s worker protection laws. “For years, Oregon has had some of the strongest labor protections in the country, but without the resources to enforce them, those rights have been undermined,” said Graham Trainor, President of the Oregon AFL-CIO, “This historic investment begins to give BOLI the tools to deliver on the promise of justice for working people. This victory is also a testament to Commissioner Stephenson’s leadership. As a first term elected official and lifelong workers’ rights advocate, she has delivered a big win in her mission to rebuild the agency that enforces Oregon’s labor laws.”
As the final budget is enacted, BOLI will transition into implementation. This includes investing in efficient technology, reducing backlogs, and reclassifying or establishing new positions to better serve the agency’s mission. Going forward, BOLI will be focused on fully stabilizing operations and ensuring long-term sustainability to serve Oregonians.
“What BOLI does is incredibly important for the state of Oregon, and I want to make sure they are adequately resourced to do the job we’ve asked them to do,” said Senator Lieber (D-Portland) in the Joint Committee on Ways and Means Subcommittee on Capital Construction Wednesday morning. “I know this is going to be a heavy lift, but I appreciate that [the Commissioner] has taken this on and we are here to work with you and make sure you have the resources [BOLI] need[s].”
While this budget marks a turning point, BOLI is committed to ensuring that this is not a one-time fix. BOLI will continue working closely with the Legislature, business, labor, and the Governor’s Office ahead of the 2026 short session to establish permanent, sustainable funding to ensure the agency can fulfill its mission for years to come.
|
