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Dear friends,
I hope you enjoyed a happy and healthy Thanksgiving together with family and friends. From November 17-19, the Legislature met for "Legislative Days" to hold informational hearings in the lead-up to the 2026 "short" session. The Senate Committee on Judiciary, which I chair, met to take up multiple issues, including the use of automatic license plate readers (ALPR) in Eugene and around Oregon.
The Senate held a floor session on November 19 to approve a slate of appointments by the Governor to various boards and commissions. Agendas, meeting recordings and materials are available for review on the Legislature's website (OLIS).
On December 6 in Eugene, I participated in an ACLU town hall covering topics ranging from unlawful conduct by federal agents to local use of ALPRs. I encourage you to refer to my earlier e-bulletins addressing federal overreach and the Senate Judiciary Committee's November 17 hearing on use of ALPRs. (It's worth noting that on December 5, the City of Eugene terminated its contract with Flock Safety and ordered the company to remove its cameras by this Friday, December 12. Springfield also terminated its contract.) I expect the Senate Judiciary Committee will bring forward legislation to address the concerns raised about the use of ALPRs in our state. It is imperative that we protect Oregonians from illegal use of these systems.
The 2025 Christmas tree in the newly reopened state capitol rotunda. Photo credit: Salem Reporter.
Below you will find information on:
- December Revenue Forecast
- Session Accomplishments: Jobs, Economy and Workforce
- Applications Closing for Homeowner Assistance & Reconstruction Program
- Resources for Immigrants and Refugees
I hope this information is helpful and informative for you or someone you know. Please stay healthy and safe this holiday season. Remember to check ODOT's TripCheck.com for road conditions and traffic information if you're traveling around our beautiful state. As always, feel free to share your comments, questions or concerns with me by phone, mail or e-mail.
December Revenue Forecast
The latest revenue forecast was released at a joint meeting of the Senate and House Revenue Committees by the Oregon Office of Economic Analysis (OEA). Below is a summary of the forecast. Economic turmoil is continuing as a result of President Trump's spite-driven economic policies, with inflation persisting and tariffs harming Oregon's export-driven economy. This latest analysis shows our state is losing more jobs in trade, transportation, and utilities than in any other category. I'll continue to stand strong with Oregon workers, families, vulnerable communities, and small businesses despite this massive federal attack on the prosperity of our state.
Revenue Outlook
The 2025-27 Net General Fund revenue is $35.24 billion, up $309.5 million from the September forecast. It’s down $311.5 million from the Close of Session forecast. The 2025-27 General Fund and Lottery net resources are now $39.09 billion, a decrease of $635.9 million from the Close of Session forecast. Lottery revenue for the 2025-27 biennium is down $100 million from the Close of Session forecast. Reserve accounts as of October are $1.04 billion (Education Stability Fund) and $1.93 billion (Rainy Day Fund). The projected ending balances for the 2025-2027 biennium are as follows: Education Stability Fund ($1.26 billion) and Rainy Day Fund ($2.16 billion). The Rainy Day Fund is not projected to receive a transfer from the General Fund beginning balance.
Kicker Outlook
There is no personal kicker projected for the 2027-29 biennium. There is no corporate
kicker projected to be transferred to K-12 education spending in 2027-29.
OEA Economic Outlook
The overall economic forecast reflects signs of de-acceleration and a cooling in Oregon's labor market. The unemployment rate fell to 4.4 percent, down from the Close of Session forecast. Personal income growth came in about forecast, with Q3 income data up 1.1 percent from September projections. Population growth in Oregon is slower than national trends and is expected to grow by an average of 0.5 percent through 2035.
OEA Corporate Activity Tax Projections
Anticipated revenues for the current biennium (25-27) are down $31.1 million to $3.03 billion. For 2027-29, projected revenue is $3.59 billion, down $31.1 million from May.
Session Accomplishments: Jobs, Economy and Workforce
Following the 2025 Legislative Session, I'm sharing in-depth summaries of bills passed by subject area. Below is a comprehensive listing of accomplishments related to jobs, economy and workforce — by Senate/House bill and in numeric order:
Senate Bills
SB 69 - Updating State Leave Laws & BOLI Administration: This legislation enhances Oregon's job-protected leave framework by consolidating key programs (such as Paid Leave Oregon and OFLA) under the Bureau of Labor and Industries (BOLI). SB 69 improves employer and worker clarity on leave rights, strengthens administrative oversight, and aligns reporting processes—streamlining access to family, medical, and bereavement leave.
SB 85 - Community-Based Risk Reduction: This legislation directs Oregon agencies to collaborate with insurers and wildfire experts to develop community-based strategies that reduce wildfire risk and improve homeowners insurance affordability. SB 85 requires the development of recommendations regarding community-based wildfire risk mitigation strategies. Agencies must report findings by 2026, including recommendations for legislative changes and data on how insurers treat mitigation efforts in underwriting. The goal is to create safer, more fire-resilient communities while ensuring fair access to affordable insurance across the state.
SB 426 - Holding Contractors Accountable to Prevent Wage Theft: I was proud to champion this legislation to hold developers and contractors accountable when construction workers serve on a project but don’t get paid. SB 426 allows workers to sue project owners and direct contactors for unpaid wages, whether the workers are direct employees or subcontractors. It allows civil action to recover wages, benefits, and penalties, while requiring subcontractors to provide payroll and worker information upon request. The bill's provisions will help prevent wage theft and improve transparency in Oregon’s construction industry.
SB 430 - Ending Hidden Fees in Online Shopping: Whether it's called a "convenience charge," a "service fee," or something else, extra costs tacked on to online purchases without warning are prohibited in Oregon under SB 430, which I was proud to champion. The bill requires sellers to disclose all mandatory fees and charges upfront in the advertised price, excluding government-imposed taxes and reasonable shipping fees. SB 430 improves transparency for consumers and classifies violations as unlawful trade practices under Oregon's Unlawful Trade Practices Act.
SB 433 - Modernizing Self-Storage Lien Sale Procedures: This legislation updates Oregon's lien laws for self-service storage facilities by raising the value threshold for public sales and allowing digital notices. If property is valued at $1,000 or less, it may now be disposed of without a public sale. For higher-value property, operators may post notice of a sale once on an approved online auction platform rather than in a newspaper. SB 433 also permits lien notices to be delivered electronically if the renter has opted in.
SB 537 - Preventing Health Care Workplace Violence: This legislation requires violence-prevention procedures and protections against safety risks in health care settings, along with official data tracking regarding incidents of workplace violence in health care. Across the country, health care workers make up 10 percent of the workforce but endure 48 percent of nonfatal injuries caused by workplace violence. Among SB 537's requirements are annual workplace violence prevention trainings and "flagging" systems in health records or elsewhere for potentially violent individuals.
SB 550 - Expanding Right to Repair for Mobility Devices: This legislation expands Oregon's existing Right to Repair law to include electric wheelchairs and complex rehabilitation technology. SB 550 mandates that manufacturers provide owners and independent repair providers with access to the same tools, parts, and documentation available to authorized service providers. This change aims to reduce repair delays and costs, enhancing mobility and independence for Oregonians who rely on these devices.
SB 588 - Strengthening PERS Disability Protections for First Responders: This legislation enhances the Public Employees Retirement System (PERS) disability benefits for police officers and firefighters. It mandates that contested case hearings for denied disability claims be scheduled within 180 days, or 360 days if an extension is requested; failure to meet this timeline results in the member prevailing by default. SB 588 also recognizes post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) as a qualifying injury sustained in the line of duty for PERS disability benefits. Additionally, it allows disabled members to earn certain income without losing their disability benefits.
SB 605 - Protecting Oregonians' Credit by Prohibiting Medical Debt Reporting: This legislation keeps medical debt off the credit reports for Oregon residents. Before having this protection, the financial hit from a serious illness or injury could make it harder to qualify for small business loan or have a rental application approved. SB 605 prohibits any person or consumer reporting agency from reporting medical debt, including amounts accumulated on medical-specific credit cards. The bill also allows courts to cancel medical debts if they get reported to a credit bureau in violation of SB 605.
SB 688 - Clean, Reliable, Affordable Energy: This legislation modernizes electric utility regulation to better serve both consumers and the environment. Oregon's rate-setting model from the 1930s has rewarded utilities for how much they spend, a framework meant to help build out the electric grid. SB 688 gives the Public Utility Commission the power to instead require utilities meet certain performance targets in order to raise rates. Those targets include reducing capital and energy costs, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, investing in community solar and microgrids and ensuring low- income Oregonians aren’t cut off from power.
SB 731 - Equal Pay for American Sign Language Skills: This legislation requires that public employees proficient in American Sign Language get the same pay raise they would if they used any other language skills on the job. The policy recognizes ASL as a language and will increase the number of ASL interpreters available to Deaf Oregonians when accessing public services. Nearly 200,000 Oregonians are Deaf or have serious difficulty hearing, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.
SB 757 - Including Housing Allowances in PERS Calculations for Chaplains: This legislation amends Oregon law to include housing allowances paid to prison chaplains and chaplains at Oregon Health and Science University (OHSU) as part of their "salary" for Public Employees Retirement System (PERS) calculations. By treating these allowances as taxable income, SB 757 ensures that retirement benefits more accurately reflect total compensation. This change applies to members whose effective date of retirement is on or after the act's effective date.
SB 827 - Expanding Access to Solar + Storage for Oregon Families: This legislation updates and strengthens Oregon's Solar + Storage Rebate Program to ensure more low- and moderate-income families and service providers benefit from clean energy investments. SB 827 clarifies eligibility, improves oversight, and prioritizes equitable access to rebates for solar and battery systems.
SB 831 - Modernizing Insurance Holding Company Oversight: This legislation updates Oregon's insurance regulations to align with national standards set by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners. SB 831 requires entities with ultimate control over insurers to file group capital calculations and, if applicable, conduct liquidity stress tests. It also grants the Department of Consumer and Business Services authority to mandate deposits or bonds from insurers in hazardous financial conditions. Additionally, the bill ensures confidentiality of sensitive information and subjects affiliates to regulatory oversight to protect policyholders and maintain market stability
SB 906 - Enhancing Pay Stub Transparency for Oregon Workers: This legislation mandates that employers provide newly hired employees with a written explanation of the earnings and deductions detailed on their pay stubs. This explanation must be in plain language and updated annually by January 1. BOLI is directed to develop and make available a model guidance document in English and Spanish, and in other languages upon request, to assist employers in complying with this requirement. Employers failing to meet these standards may face civil penalties imposed by the Commissioner of BOLI.
House Bills
HB 2087 - Economic Opportunity Through Tax Credit and Exemption Extension: This legislation modifies and extends existing tax expenditures related to income, fuel and transportation taxes. HB 2087 extends the expiration dates of several tax credits and subtractions, including the earned income tax credit and the first-time homebuyer savings account. The state EITC is a benefit for people with low incomes. This credit was set to end by 2026, but the bill extends it to 2032. HB 2087 also increases benefits for crop donations and rural emergency medical services providers, and it expands eligibility for the affordable housing lenders tax credit. It also raises funding limits for the Oregon Production Investment Fund and Individual Development Accounts.
HB 2095 - Refining Oregon Semiconductor R&D Tax Credit: This legislation makes precise technical corrections to Oregon's tax credit for semiconductor research and development. HB 2095 removes outdated provisions tied to older federal election alternatives, aligns expiration dates within state statutes to match federal sunsets, and ensures continuity of incentives for semiconductor innovation.
HB 2248 - Creating the Employer Assistance Division at BOLI: This legislation establishes a new Employer Assistance Division within BOLI to streamline support and compliance services for Oregon businesses. BOLI will offer a centralized resource to help employers navigate workplace regulations and access assistance.
HB 2338 - Introducing the Certified Tax Aide Professional: This legislation creates a new entry-level tax preparer certification — Certified Registered Tax Aide — to support tax professionals in preparing returns. The program sets requirements for education (including 40 training hours), exams, supervision limits (up to two aides per tax professional), continuing education, fees, and disciplinary oversight by the State Board of Tax Practitioners. This structured pathway improves access to reliable tax assistance while maintaining quality standards.
HB 2957 - Protecting Workers' Right to Justice: This legislation prohibits employers from entering into private agreements that shorten the time workers have to file complaints under BOLI’s enforcement jurisdiction. HB 2957 also mandates that BOLI issue timely "notice of rights" letters to workers either within one year of complaint filing or upon complaint dismissal. Workers then have up to five years—the full statute of limitations—to pursue civil action. Violations are deemed unlawful employment practices.
HB 3021 - Strengthening Unemployment Insurance & Paid Leave Administration: This legislation updates core statutes overseeing Oregon's Unemployment Insurance and Paid Leave Oregon programs. HB 3021 grants the Employment Department Director greater authority over policy, rulemaking, and administration, ensures federal law conformity, and adds Paid Leave Oregon to the department’s formal structure. It also removes outdated child-care program responsibilities and makes certain administrative changes operative January 1, 2026.
HB 3022 - Streamlining Paid Leave Administration Across State Agencies: This legislation enables data sharing between the Department of Revenue and the Employment Department to support Oregon’s Paid Family & Medical Leave program. The bill standardizes reporting requirements across agencies and aligns revenue collection rules with leave administration, improving efficiency and program coordination.
HB 3024 - Protecting Unemployed Workers During Labor Disputes: This legislation ensures that individuals who lose or quit employment due to a labor dispute — such as strikes — remain eligible for unemployment insurance benefits. By prohibiting UI disqualification in these circumstances, the bill safeguards workers' financial stability and supports their right to collective action.
HB 3156 - Improving Utility Transparency with Consumer Contact Information: The Public Utility Commission regulates rates for many electric utilities, natural gas providers, and water companies in the state. It has a Consumer Services Unit to assist ratepayers in disputes with regulated utilities. This legislation requires all public utility bills to clearly show the PUC's consumer services phone number and website for Oregonians to file complaints. The law makes it easier for ratepayers to get assistance and resolve disputes, and widening access to the Consumer Services Unit helps the PUC recognize utilities' potential failures to comply with regulations.
HB 3167 - Fan Fairness & Transparency Act: This legislation prohibits use of bots and deceptive resale methods in ticket sales. HB 3167 also requires sellers to disclose the full ticket price — including all mandatory fees — upfront, bans the sale of tickets not yet possessed, and blocks misleading domain names or websites that mimic venues or events. Violators may face civil penalties under Oregon's Unlawful Trade Practices Act.
HB 3179 - Strengthening Oversight of Utility Rates and Consumer Impact: Utility rates have skyrocketed in recent years, leaving tens of thousands of Oregon families with utilities disconnected because they could not afford to pay. This legislation authorizes the PUC to require 18 months between rate increases up until January of 2027, and it calls on the PUC to adopt rules on how long utilities must hold rates steady after that date. HB 3179 also instructs the PUC to consider affordability data, seasonal costs, and hardship on Oregonians when deciding on rates. It also limits rate hikes during winter months and mandate utilities plan rates over multiple years.
HB 3187 - Protecting Job Applicants from Age Bias: This legislation strengthens Oregon's age discrimination laws by prohibiting employers and recruiters from requesting an applicant’s age, date of birth, or graduation dates until after an initial job interview or a conditional offer. HB 3187 also removes outdated age limits for apprenticeships, promoting fair access for older workers.
HB 3546 - Protecting Consumers from Hidden Costs of Big Energy Users: It's been typical in Oregon for huge industrial users of electricity to be charged a lot less— sometime even half the rate—per kilowatt hour than regular households. This legislation stops massive energy users, like data centers and cryptocurrency processors, from shifting their costs to consumers like you. HB 3546 creates a new electricity rate class for the large energy users and makes them responsible for the full cost of the grid infrastructure needed to serve them.
HB 3789 - Stopping Union Representative Impersonation: This legislation makes it unlawful to falsely impersonate a union representative with the intent to interfere with or harm a labor organization. This law aims to protect the integrity of union operations and ensure transparency in union communications, reinforcing the rights established under Oregon's Public Employee Collective Bargaining Act.
HB 3792 - Doubling Support for Low-Income Electric Bill Assistance: This legislation increases the minimum annual funding for Oregon's Low-Income Electric Bill Payment Assistance Fund, growing it from $20 million to $40 million for people struggling to pay their bills. Electric companies will collect the funds, with the Public Utility Commission setting rates and reassessing needs every two years. Oregon Housing and Community Services has authority to distribute the funds, helping vulnerable households afford power and avoid crisis.
HB 3865 - Cracking Down on Unwanted Calls and Texts: This legislation expands Oregon's consumer protections by classifying text messages as telephone solicitations and limiting when and how businesses can contact consumers. HB 3865 restricts calls and texts to between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m., with no more than three contacts in 24 hours. The bill exempts contacts from established business relationships and public agencies. Violations are enforceable under Oregon's Unlawful Trade Practices Act, strengthening safeguards against unwanted and deceptive solicitations.
Applications Closing for Homeowner Assistance & Reconstruction Program
December is the last month for survivors of the 2020 Labor Day wildfires and straight-line winds to submit new applications for the Homeowner Assistance and Reconstruction Program (HARP).
HARP is part of a suite of wildfire recovery programs called ReOregon, which is funded by a $422 million Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. HARP, which opened in March 2024, helps survivor homeowners of the 2020 disasters rebuild, repair, replace, or buy a new home, as well as be reimbursed for out-of-pocket expenses incurred during their recovery. Oregon Housing and Community Services (OHCS) has expanded eligibility criteria for these recovery pathways to help more survivors apply before the deadline.
If there are people hesitant about applying, OHCS urges them to visit a new webpage highlighting survivors who have been through the process and received a HARP award for a new home. Applying for HARP is a two-part process: First, the survivor fills out an Eligibility Questionnaire that will help ReOregon determine whether a homeowner is qualified to apply. If found to be eligible, they will receive an email invitation to begin the full application process. OHCS encourages survivors to start the HARP application process as soon as possible, as it may take some time to gather their documentation for the application. Regional HARP Intake Centers are available to assist survivors.
During the past several months, HARP has helped 70 survivors buy a new home, and 31 other homeowners have received reimbursement funds. Some survivors have started or are close to completing reconstruction, while many more are making their way through the application process. To learn more about the application process and expanded eligibility, visit the HARP website.
To learn more about all of ReOregon’s programs, visit re.oregon.gov.
Resources for Immigrants and Refugees
Oregon's Office of Immigrant and Refugee Advancement (OIRA) created an Emergency Planning Guide to help families prepare for unexpected situations. It covers contacts, documents, and steps to stay ready. OIRA is working to translate the guide into several languages.
OIRA has also published a board-based Immigrant and Refugee Resource Guide to assist families who face stress or sudden change. The guide lists food support, legal help, health services, and community partners across Oregon. It gives families clear pathways to trusted groups.
Finally, OIRA's Legal Services Directory is a directory of nonprofit legal groups and trusted partners who support immigrant and refugee communities with screenings, rights information, and referrals.
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