Dear OSCC Members & Colleagues –

We are down to the final two months of the 2025 session. This week marks what’s knows as the “second chamber deadline.” All bills in a policy committee must be posted for a work session (ie. a “vote”) on Friday, May 9th in order to advance. Legislators will then have until Friday, May 23rd to pass these bills out of committee or move them to Joint Ways & Means, Rules, or Revenue. Here is what we are watching as we head into the final stretch.

• May14 Revenue Forecast: Legislators have been waiting for months to see what the official budget scenario looks like. Many have predicted a tough budget environment. The forecast released on the 14th will provide the final numbers needed to craft the 2025-27 budget. We are hearing that the Governor’s office wants to fully fund her budget, even if that means spending more and dipping into reserve funds. Legislators have indicated a more cautious approach, and potentially holding money back to address future federal shortfalls.

• Transportation Package: Legislators are meeting quietly behind closed doors to see if they can put together a transportation package to address badly needed funding for Oregon’s roads. With existing resources, legislators don’t have the money needed to do everything. In fact, there is a nearly $2 billion biennial shortfall. Republicans unveiled a counter-proposal last week that did not include new taxes – rather it relied on cuts to free up more money to be spent on highway maintenance. Republicans involved in negotiating the transportation package were not part of the Republican proposal. We will watch this closely as new developments emerge.

• Wildfire Funding: This is the second key issue legislators are attempting to address in order to find a long-term funding solution to respond to the ever-increasing costs associated with the state fighting wildfires. The bill to watch is HB 3940.  Increases to the bottle bill surcharge and a new payroll tax are unpopular ideas that have been floated so far. OSCC testified in opposition to the payroll tax amendment to HB 3940. It is unclear if these provisions stay in or if legislators are able to reach an agreement on a wildfire funding package.

In the meantime, three major issues for OSCC on the calendar for this week:

• TRANSIENT LODGING TAXES: This is a MAJOR alert for OSCC members. The House Revenue Committee will be taking up at least two bills on Thursday with big implications for TLT funds. OSCC members are highly encouraged to engage and either testify or submit comment.

HB 2977 increases the state transient lodging tax to support wildlife conservation. 

HB 3962, with the -2 Amendment, will allow local government to divert TLT funds away from tourism promotion to fund “tourism impacted services.”

It is highly recommended that OSCC members either sign up to testify or submit testimony at the bill links provided.

• 90-DAY NOTICE TO SUE (HB 2957): OSCC OPPOSES this legislation in the Senate Labor & Business Committee on Tuesday, May 6^th.

Current law allows a plaintiff to sue a business for an unlawful employment action up to 5 years after the alleged occurrence. The law gives a plaintiff two choices: either file your complaint with BOLI or file your case in civil court.



Most often, a plaintiff will file with BOLI first to allow taxpayers to fund the discovery process. If BOLI makes findings, the plaintiff will often transfer the case to civil court.

If BOLI finds in favor of the employer, however, a plaintiff is given a 90-day time limit to sue. HB 2957 would eliminate the 90-day limit and create an open-ended timeframe for lawsuits based on evidence already deemed insufficient from BOLI.

OSCC members are encouraged to testify or submit comment at the bill link provided.

• GENERAL CONTRACTOR / PROPERTY OWNER LIABILITY (SB 426): OSCC has written about this bill several times. OSCC continues to be deeply concerned about SB 426 which would hold property owners and general contractors liable for any unpaid wages at the subcontractor level. The bill directly punishes the wrong parties for wage theft at the subcontractor level and will have a chilling effect on commercial construction. OSCC opposes.

SB 426 will have a public hearing in the House Labor & Workplace Standards Committee on Wednesday, May 7^th at 3pm. 

OSCC members are encouraged to engage local members (property owners and contractors) in opposition to this bill. Testimony and comment can be made at the bill link provided.

Legislative calls are held weekly from 9:30-10am Friday mornings throughout session. These calls are open to chamber executives, advocacy staff, as well your Government Affairs or Board Chair.

OSCC Chamber Day at the Capitol



OSCC will hold a Chamber Day at the Capitol on May 8th from 9am-12pm at the State Library in Salem. OSCC will provide an update on bills we have been watching, as well as an update on where things currently stand with session. Legislators will also be invited to speak with the group and answer questions. We encourage chambers to schedule time to meet with their individual legislators during the afternoon to talk about issues important to your business community. You can register here.

Due to limited seating, attendance will be limited to three attendees per chamber. A virtual attendance option is available for additional attendees, as well as those chambers who may not be able to attend in person.