The Act makes new laws about farmworker camps. (Gut and stuff) Establishes joint and several liability for landowners under certain circumstances involving the operation of farmworker camps. Creates a rebuttable presumption that a landowner did not know and could not reasonably have known of the operation of an unregistered farmworker camp on the landowner’s property if the landowner produces a lease agreement expressly prohibiting such activity. Modifies remedies that may be sought for violations of certain requirements for farmworker camps.
HB 3194 would curtail farmland lease agreements in Oregon due to liabilities outside the landowner’s control. HB 3194 will discourage responsible housing efforts by imposing joint and severe liability on both a landowner and a housing operator, even if the landowner is not directly involved in managing the housing.
Proving that a landowner “(b) Had no actual knowledge or reason to know of the farmworker camp operator’s failure to comply with those requirements” is nearly impossible, essentially presuming someone guilty until they prove their innocence. Each violation of any provision of ORS 658.705 to 658.850 is actual damages or [$500] $2,000,
SUBMIT TESTIMONY HERE by 6/22 at 1:30pm
EMAIL COMMITTEE
Sen.KayseJama@OregonLegislature.gov
Sen.DanielBonham@OregonLegislature.gov
Sen.JeffGolden@OregonLegislature.gov
Sen.JamesManningJr@OregonLegislature.gov
Sen.KimThatcher@OregonLegislature.gov