Legislative Update: April 8, 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).
As the 2025 legislative session moves into its second half, April 9 marks a critical checkpoint in the process. This first major deadline requires most bills to have passed out of committee in their chamber of origin in order to stay alive.
While a few committees—like budget, rules, revenue, and transportation—are exempt from this cutoff, the vast majority of bills that haven’t advanced by this date will no longer be in play. With more than 3,000 bills introduced this year, this deadline significantly narrows the field. The Springfield Chamber will be watching closely to see which proposals continue to move forward and which fall off the table.
NEWS THIS WEEK: Transportation Package, Tariffs
The big news out of Salem last week was the release of the Joint Transportation Committee’s draft framework for a potential transportation funding package aimed at addressing Oregon’s nearly $2 billion shortfall in road maintenance and infrastructure. The proposal sparked widespread discussion, as it outlines a variety of new taxes and fee increases—some of them substantial.
While the framework is just a starting point for what will be a complex conversation, it underscores the urgent need for a transportation system that is reliable, economically sustainable, and built with transparency and accountability. As the April 9 committee deadline approaches, this proposal is expected to remain a top priority in the second half of the session and will be something the Springfield Chamber continues to monitor.
Along with the rest of the US, Oregonians are reacting as the Trump Administration’s new increased baseline and “reciprocal” tariffs roll out on imported goods. Hear from small business owners across the country in the US Chamber of Commerce’s recent article: ‘A matter of survival’: Small Businesses Speak Out on Tariffs.
Springfield Chamber members are invited to join the upcoming Chamber Roundtable on Tuesday, April 22 from 4-5 p.m., “Washington Insights: A Briefing from the U.S. Chamber” with Chris Eyler, Vice President, Congressional and Public Affairs, US Chamber of Commerce. Chris will share key updates on federal policy, legislation, and issues impacting the business community, including tariffs.
KEY POLICY UPDATES: Tracking our 2025 Legislative Priorities
Legislative developments impacting the Chamber’s 2025 Legislative Policy Agenda, are unfolding. While a few bills on the Springfield Chamber’s watch list are scheduled to go to vote (SB 426) or have work sessions today (HB 3062, HB 3556), there are no action alerts as of right now.
**Please note that scheduled hearings, sessions, and votes are all subject to change. The Springfield Chamber will work to update information as changes occur.**
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.
This bill is scheduled for a work session today, April 8.
Industrial Land Siting
(HB 3062)
Thank you to those engaged Chamber members who wrote testimony last week following our Action Alert on HB 3062.
The Springfield Chamber OPPOSES 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.
READ THE CHAMBER’S LETTER OF OPPOSITION HERE.
The Springfield Chamber also joins other Chambers and business advocates statewide in a coalition letter opposing the bill.
This bill is scheduled for a work session today, April 8.
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.
This bill is scheduled for floor for a vote today, April 8.
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.
From Oregon State Chamber of Commerce: Although HB 3119 itself is dead, we believe another identical bill will start moving – be on the lookout for a new bill number to emerge. OSCC will report further developments.
GET ENGAGED: Save the Date for These Upcoming Discussions
Beyond our formal policy agenda, we’re monitoring workforce, education, and community issues that impact Springfield. Here’s what’s coming up.
Oregon Business & Industry Mid-Session
Webinar: Tuesday, April 15, 11:00 a.m.
Join OBI’s policy team on Tuesday, April 15, to hear how the session has gone so far – and what businesses should expect during the remaining two and a half months. The team will discuss some of the session’s highest profile legislation, some of the session’s biggest surprises, bills aligned with OBI’s Oregon Competitiveness Agenda and more. The webinar will run from 11 a.m. to noon, and there will be time for questions.
Springfield Chamber Roundtable:
Tuesday, April 22, 4:00 p.m.
Join us for “Washington Insights: A Briefing from the U.S. Chamber” with Chris Eyler, Vice President, Congressional and Public Affairs, US Chamber of Commerce. Chris will share key updates on federal policy, legislation, and issues impacting the business community.
Read Chris Eyler’s bio here.
Relevant Publications
- Opinion: Gov. Kotek’s List of Three Goals is Missing a Critical Fourth, Angela Wilhelms, The Oregonian/OregonLive, April 2, 2025
- External Business Recruitment: Are Businesses Leaving Oregon, and if so, Why?, prepared for Business Oregon by the Institute for Policy Research & Engagement, University of Oregon, 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, April 7, here.
- Read Oregon Business and Industry’s Capitol Connect newsletter from Monday, April 7, 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.
