Legislative Update: March 25, 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).
Last week, over 40% of the nearly 3,400 bills this session were cut, leaving a remainder of around 1,900 bills to be heard before the next deadline of April 9th. This has the legislature looking at a busy schedule over the next couple of weeks. The Chamber is committed to staying engaged and on top of their policy agenda’s watchlist as these bills move quickly.
TAKE ACTION THIS WEEK: SB 426, HB 3556
Two bills on the Chamber’s policy agenda are scheduled for work sessions this week, so while public testimony is closed on Oregon Legislative Information System (OLIS), there remains time to contact your representatives and express your support or opposition.
ACTION ALERT!
General Contractor Liability
(SB 426)
In alignment with OSCC and a coalition of other statewide business advocates, the Springfield Chamber OPPOSES Senate Bill 426, citing concerns over unintended consequences for businesses, contractors and workers. While the Chamber supports efforts to prevent wage theft and ensure fair compensation, it argues that the bill’s approach places undue liability on law-abiding businesses in the construction industry.
The Springfield Chamber is urging policymakers to focus on targeted enforcement measures that address wage theft without penalizing law-abiding businesses. The full letter of opposition, submitted to the Senate Committee on Judiciary, is included below.
READ THE SPRINGFIELD CHAMBER’S LETTER OF OPPOSITION HERE.
The next work session for this bill is scheduled for Wednesday, March 26 at 3:00PM.
CONTACT SENATOR FLOYD PROZANSKI HERE.
ACTION ALERT!
Transient Room Tax Revenue Diversion
(HB 3556)
The Springfield Chamber has been monitoring HB 3556, which would would divert Transient Room Tax (TRT) revenues away from local tourism promotion to fund ‘tourism impact services,’ such as public safety and infrastructure.
As stated by the Oregon State Chamber of Commerce, “while these services are important, this shift would come at the expense of tourism marketing, which fuels local economies and supports small businesses.”
The Oregon State Chamber of Commerce is OPPOSING this legislation alongside tourism agencies such as Travel Lane County.
READ TRAVEL LANE COUNTY’S TESTIMONY HERE.
The next work session for this bill is scheduled for Tuesday, March 25 at 1:00PM.
CONTACT REPRESENTATIVE THUY TRAN HERE.
KEY POLICY UPDATES: Tracking our 2025 Legislative Priorities
Legislative developments impacting the Chamber’s 2025 Legislative Policy Agenda, are unfolding. Stay informed on the latest actions and how they align with our advocacy efforts.
Industrial Land Siting
(HB 3062)
The Springfield Chamber will OPPOSE HB 3062, which would require study and mitigation of impacts on nearby sensitive uses on industrial lands, as well as an additional public hearing, before allowing for development.
This bill adds additional and unnecessary layers of red tape on top of existing environmental regulations, severely limiting economic growth and business development.
On this, the Chamber aligns with Oregon State Chamber, Oregon Business and Industry, and other key state business leaders listed in their coalition letter.
This bill is scheduled for a public hearing on Tuesday, April 1 at 1:00PM.
REGISTER TO TESTIFY HERE.
SUBMIT WRITTEN TESTIMONY HERE – open until 4/3 at 1:00PM.
Home and Community-Based Services
Workforce Standards Boards
(HB 3838)
The Springfield Chamber OPPOSED House Bill 3838. This bill would empower an unelected board to set hours, working conditions and wages for residential care facilities, long-term care, support services for people with disabilities, and various types of in-home care.
READ THE CHAMBER’S LETTER OF OPPOSITION HERE.
The next work session for this bill takes place on Wednesday, April 2, at 3:00PM.
Advanced Clean Trucking (ACT) Delay
(HB 3119)
House Bill 3119 delays the DEQ’s Advanced Clean Trucks (ACT) rule.
The Springfield Chamber and more than 15 other Chambers testified in SUPPORT of this bill, as pausing this rule would give much needed relief to keystone industries in Oregon including trucking, agriculture, building and construction, wood products, logistics, and many others.
READ THE CHAMBER’S LETTER OF SUPPORT HERE.
The next work session for this bill takes place on Tuesday, April 8, at 8:00AM.
Liability Waivers for Recreation
(HB 3140)
House Bill 3140 is dead. This bill aimed to restore liability waivers for companies in the outdoor fitness/recreation industry. The Springfield Chamber testified in SUPPORT of this bill.
OTHER POLICY UPDATES: Issues That Matter to Business & Community
Beyond our formal policy agenda, we’re monitoring workforce, education, and community issues that impact Springfield. Here’s what’s happening and why it matters.
Workforce Funding
(HB 3669)
House Bill 3669 expands the goals of Oregon’s Prosperity 10,000 Program, enhancing its focus on workforce development and targeted skills training. Originally established to support economic recovery and address workforce shortages, the Prosperity 10K program provides essential resources for organizations statewide.
In 2022, the Springfield Chamber utilized Prosperity 10K funds—distributed by Lane Workforce Partnership—to develop and launch the Essential Skills training program for managers. Expanding this program could further empower local businesses and industries by strengthening Oregon’s talent pipeline, boosting employment opportunities, and addressing critical workforce gaps.
DEQ Permitting
(HB 3107)
House Bill 3107 enhances the Department of Environmental Quality’s (DEQ) ability to expedite regulatory processes by allowing regulated entities to enter agreements to fund faster permit processing. The Environmental Quality Commission will establish standards to guide DEQ in using this authority.
For businesses and industries, HB 3107 is significant as it addresses prolonged permitting timelines that can hinder operations, expansions, and market opportunities. By facilitating timely permit issuance, the bill aims to reduce uncertainty and support economic growth. However, there are concerns about potential extra costs to businesses for services that ideally should be efficient within DEQ’s regular operations.
Relevant Publications
- Judge blocks Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek’s requirement for union labor on many state projects, OPB, 24 March 2025
- External Business Recruitment: Are businesses leaving Oregon, and if so, why?, white paper, prepared for Business Oregon by the University of Oregon’s Institute for Policy Research and Engagement, January 2025
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 Oregon State Chamber of Commerce’s updates in their newsletter from Monday, March 24, here.
- Read Oregon Business and Industry’s Capitol Connect newsletter from Monday, March 24, here.
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.
