Oregon Citizens Lobby

HB 4089 make theft of service a felony

Posted on February 16, 2026 by Donna | 0 Comments

HB 4089 – Expands crime of “theft of services” to include non or underpayment of wages/compensation owed to employees and independent contractors, including improper deductions. Risk of over criminalization (blurs lines between intentional theft and accidental payroll errors or good faith disputes (meals/breaks that employees voluntarily skip). Some actions would be considered Class B Felony with large fines and imprisonment….

HB 4177 changes public meeting laws

Posted on February 15, 2026 by Donna | 0 Comments

HB 4177 – Bill changes how officials may talk outside public meetings and restates serial communications prohibitions for public meeting law purposes. Provides ways to retroactively fix breaches which may reduce initial compliance or let bodies off to easily. Requires specific documentation upfront or forcing court action in some cases may discourage citizens from filing legitimate complaints. It may also…

HB 4094 paid vacation when terminating employment

Posted on February 14, 2026 by Donna | 0 Comments

WATCH FOR PROPOSED AMENDMENT. HB 4094 – Requires employers who provide paid vacation time to compensate employees for all earned or accrued but unused paid vacation time when employment terminates. EMAIL COMMITTEE AND LEGISLATORS. Key Provisions: Mandatory payout: Employers must compensate employees at 100% of their regular pay rate for all earned/accrued but unused paid vacation time when employment ends,…

SJR 202 adds day to regular session when quorum fails

Posted on February 12, 2026 by Donna | 0 Comments

SJR 202 – Proposes an amendment to the Oregon Constitution to extend the duration of a regular session of the Legislative Assembly by one calendar day for each day that the Senate or the House of Representatives fails to achieve a quorum after attempting to do so. Refers the proposed amendment to the people for their approval or rejection at…

SB 1541 retroactive cost recovery for climate change

Posted on February 12, 2026 by Donna | 0 Comments

SB 1541 – Establishes the Climate Superfund Cost Recovery Program as an interagency response to the effects of climate change. Back again from the 2025 session is this illegal retroactive cost recovery that will make energy costs go up. A cap-and-trade program was implemented to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions costing some to buy credits. Now they want to double tax…

HB 4143A authorizes agencies to withhold federal funds

Posted on February 12, 2026 by Donna | 1 Comments

ACTION ALERT – HOUSE FLOOR – CONTACT LEGISLATORS TO VOTE NO HB 4143 – Authorizes the Governor to direct state agencies to withhold moneys owed to the federal government if federal funds are being withheld from the state in contravention of a valid court order. House Bill 4143, allows the Governor to direct state agencies to withhold qualified payments to the…

SB 1580 taxes media on advertising revenue

Posted on February 11, 2026 by Donna | 0 Comments

SB 1580 – aims to address the decline of local journalism by requiring tech platforms to share advertising revenue with news organizations whose content they distribute. The bill specifically references Google and Meta’s alleged monopolistic practices and their impact on local news outlets (18 Oregon outlets closed 2022-2025). SB 1580 aims to force social media companies into certain hamstrung agreements with Oregon…

HB 4150 prohibs business transporting people for deportation

Posted on February 10, 2026 by Donna | 0 Comments

HB 4150 – persons who contract with the state or get grants from the state must promise not to help transport people for deportation. Directs state agencies to require prospective contractors, subcontractors and grant recipients to attest that they do not and will not transport individuals detained by federal agencies for the purpose of deportation, except in accordance with judicial…

HB 4121 new agency for preparedness

Posted on February 6, 2026 by Donna | 0 Comments

HB 4121 – Creates statewide emergency preparedness offices and authorities to coordinate emergency management. New Offices SPARTICIS (Oregon Statewide Preparedness Authority) – entirely new office with multiple responsibilities for emergency preparedness coordination SPARC (Statewide Preparedness Authority for Response Coordination) – new office for training and database management Statewide Regional Training Office – new office to manage emergency training facilities Oregon Disaster Recovery Authority –…