Legislative Update: March 11, 2025
The Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce continues to track legislative developments and action alerts that impact local businesses. With a focus on policies that affect our members, the Chamber shares timely updates from a variety of sources, including the Oregon State Chamber of Commerce (OSCC) and Oregon Business & Industry (OBI).
TAKE ACTION THIS WEEK: SB 916 AND HB 2548
Last week, the Senate Committee on Labor and Business passed SB 916. Now is the time to reach out to your state legislators to oppose the bill, which would provide an incentive for workers to increase the length of strikes, ramping up economic pain on the very employers who pay all unemployment taxes. Read more about why the Springfield Chamber opposes this bill.
Additionally, the first public hearing for HB 2548 – which establishes a labor standards board for agricultural workers and prohibits firing without cause – takes place this Wednesday, March 12 at 3:00PM.
ACTION ALERT!
Unemployment for Striking Workers
(SB 916)
On March 6, the Senate Committee on Labor and Business passed SB 916 through, so now is the time to act! The Springfield Chamber has identified Senate Bill 916 as one of the most important labor bills in the current session, and therefore has taken decisive action by submitting testimony OPPOSING the bill.
READ THE CHAMBER’S TESTIMONY HERE.
The purpose of SB 916 is to allow unemployment benefits to striking workers, which the Chamber argues to be unfairly burdensome to small businesses while the Unemployment Insurance (UI) system is funded entirely by employers.
CALL OR EMAIL YOUR REPRESENTATIVES TO TAKE ACTION NOW. FIND YOUR LEGISLATORS’ CONTACT INFORMATION HERE.
ACTION ALERT!
Farm Workforce Standards Board
(HB 2548)
The Springfield Chamber has been monitoring HB 2548, which would end “employment at will” for farm labor.
The Oregon State Chamber of Commerce is OPPOSING this legislation alongside a coalition of agriculture and small business organizations.
READ OSCC’S TESTIMONY HERE.
The first public hearing of HB 2548 is in the House Committee on Labor, Wednesday, March 12 at 3:00PM.
SIGN UP TO TESTIFY HERE.
SUBMIT WRITTEN TESTIMONY HERE.
LOCAL ISSUES AT THE FOREFRONT: Chamber Opposes FEMA’s Model Ordinance for Floodplain Development in Testimony to City of Springfield Planning Commission
The Springfield Chamber is tracking the City of Springfield’s proposed amendments to the Development Code, which aim to comply with the Pre-Implementation Compliance Measures (PICM) required by the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). These amendments—driven by FEMA’s mandate to adopt strict “no net loss” regulations in floodplain areas—carry significant implications for economic growth, housing development, and infrastructure projects in Springfield.
The Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce is monitoring all this legislation closely as part of its advocacy for policies that support a stable and predictable business environment. The Chamber will continue advocating for policies that support a strong, competitive business environment in Springfield and beyond. Stay tuned for updates in The Bottom Line.
View OSCC’s updates in their newsletter from Monday, March 10, here. Read OBI’s Capitol Connect from Monday here to learn more about their activity around these and other bills they are watching during the current legislative session.
Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce Business Advocacy
The Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce is a trusted convener and provider of business resources. They recognize the systemic interdependencies of a healthy economy and provide an ear and a voice for local business at the confluence of government, commerce, and community. They advocate for business by increasing visibility, dialogue, and representation at local, state, and federal policy circles around issues of impact and interest to their members. Learn more about the Chamber’s Business Advocacy work.
