Econ. Develop. & Land Uses - Oregon Citizens Lobby

HB 3205 Compensation without discrimination

Posted on May 10, 2023 by dbleiler | 0 Comments

This bill modifies definition of “compensation,” for purposes of pay equity requirements, to exclude hiring bonuses and retention bonuses. Amendment -3 states: “An employer may pay employees for work of comparable character at different compensation levels pursuant to a signing, hiring or retention bonus, provided the employer does not discriminate between employees on the basis of a protected class in…

SB 592 Increases penalties for employee accidents

Posted on April 25, 2023 by dbleiler | 0 Comments

Senate Bill 592 requires the Director of Department of Consumer & Business Services to conduct a comprehensive workplace inspection when an accident investigation reveals a violation caused or contributed to a work-related fatality or when three or more willful or repeated violations occur within a one-year period at a place of employment. The measure also establishes minimum and maximum civil…

SB 851 Expands lawsuits against employers

Posted on March 27, 2023 by dbleiler | 1 Comments

This bill is a placeholder as a study to be amended as a full blown policy. SB 851 would expand lawsuits against employers for hostile work environments in a way that is duplicative of remedies that are already available to employees. Employees who experience discrimination in the workplace may seek a remedy under many federal laws including, but not limited…

SB 847 Property tax freeze for new homes

Posted on March 21, 2023 by dbleiler | 0 Comments

This bill freezes assessed value for five years for property with newly constructed accessory dwelling unit or middle housing, used as occupant’s primary residence. Establishes timelines and requirements to file claim; allows for appeal of denial. Terminates benefit in event eligible property is no longer occupied as primary residence. Allows frozen assessed value to transfer to new owner within five-year…

SB 592 OSHA inspection of all workplace fatalities with increased penalties

Posted on March 9, 2023 by dbleiler | 0 Comments

This bill requires the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OHSA) to conduct “comprehensive inspections” whenever a fatality occurred, even if the fatality were the result of an accident. Since inspection is tied to negative outcomes, not negative behaviors, comprehensive inspections triggered by accidents would not foster safer workplaces. Instead, they would place a heavy burden on businesses by allowing OSHA…

SB 907 Gives employees right to refuse task

Posted on March 9, 2023 by dbleiler | 1 Comments

PASSED SB 907A makes it an unlawful practice for any person to bar or discharge from employment, or discriminate against an employee or prospective employee because they refused to expose themselves to serious injury or death from a hazardous condition at the place of employment when there are no reasonable alternatives and the person is acting in good faith. ~…

SB 603 Plan to pay homeless $1,000/month for 12 months

Posted on March 2, 2023 by dbleiler | 1 Comments

This bill establishes People’s Housing Assistance Fund Demonstration Program (Program) within Department of Human Services (DHS) to provide $1,000 monthly for 12 months to those experiencing or at risk of homelessness, spending over half of monthly income on rent, or earning 60 percent or less of area median income. Allows payments to be used for rent, emergency expenses, food, child…

SB 4 Semiconductor grant and loan program

Posted on February 25, 2023 by dbleiler | 1 Comments

AFTER 22 ATTEMPTS TO AMEND THE BILL IT WAS PASSED TO WAYS & MEANS This bill directs Oregon Business Development Department to develop grant and loan program to support businesses applying for financial assistance under Creating Helpful Incentives to Produce Semiconductors for America Act of 2022 (P.L. 117-167). Qualified projects are development of a site, research and development to advance…

HB 2001 Affordable Housing, Homelessness Response Package

Posted on February 24, 2023 by dbleiler | 0 Comments

This bill is amended to establish a $200 million Affordable Housing and Emergency Homelessness Response Package (HB 2001 and HB 5019). The proposed package includes: Fully funds the Governor’s Homelessness State of Emergency ($130 million); Provides $27 million in additional funding to address homelessness in other 25 rural counties; Provides Rental Assistance and other services to help stay in their…

SB 119 Use of apprentices for public projects

Posted on February 21, 2023 by dbleiler | 0 Comments

This bill requires the Department of Transportation, Oregon Department of Administrative Services, and any state contracting agency that uses funds from the Act of 2021, in connection with public improvement, to study the use of apprentices in public improvement and public works projects. The American Rescue Plan Act was passed by Congress in 2021 to address a variety of issues…

HB 2058 Agriculture overtime award

Posted on February 17, 2023 by dbleiler | 0 Comments

This bill requires Oregon Business Development Department (OBDD) to administer a repayable award program for certain agricultural employers required to pay overtime wages under HB 4002 (2022). The employers must expect to have less than $3 million in annual gross income, be eligible for the tax credit for agricultural overtime pay allowed under section 8, chapter 115, Oregon Laws 2022,…

HB 2419 State loans to businesses

Posted on February 10, 2023 by dbleiler | 0 Comments

This bill directs the State Treasurer to establish linked deposit program under which State Treasurer purchases investment instruments from qualified depository at below-market rates and qualified depository issues below-market rate loans to minority-owned businesses, woman-owned businesses or businesses that service-disabled veterans own. Oregon may need to make risky loans to stimulate small businesses to replace those leaving the state or…

SB 853A bans out-of-state commuting reimbursement

Posted on February 3, 2023 by dbleiler | 3 Comments

This bill as Amended prohibits state payment of travel costs to and from Oregon for state employees who telecommute from a principal work site located more than sixty miles from border of Oregon unless authorized under terms of a collective bargaining agreement. SB 853 A provides an exemption for telecommuting employees whose position necessitates them working from a principal work…

SB 799 Extends renter’s termination notice period

Posted on February 1, 2023 by dbleiler | 7 Comments

This bill requires residential landlords to extend notice periods for terminations 10 days and eviction proceeding based on termination notices for up to 60 days while an application for rental assistance is pending. Courts may postpone dates for first appearance and trial for another 21 days leaving the landlord without rent for 3 months. Requires public bodies and grantees to…

HB 2699 Mandated minimum wage increases

Posted on February 1, 2023 by dbleiler | 1 Comments

This bill mandates a $2 minimum pay wage every year in Oregon under some conditions. The bill reads, “beginning on July 1, 2024, the minimum wage rate shall be $2 more than the minimum wage established under ORS 653.025 (1)(j), and shall be increased by $2 every year thereafter, except that in no case may the minimum wage rate exceed…