Legislative Update: May 6, 2025
The Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce continues to watch the bills listed on their 2025 state Policy Agenda as the session moves toward a few important deadlines. By Friday, May 9, all bills in a policy committee must be posted for a work session in order to advance. Then, bills must be passed out of committee or move to Joint Ways & Means, Rules, or Revenue by Friday, May 23. Another deadline to watch includes the Wednesday, May 14 revenue forecast, providing the final numbers on the 2025-27 state budget.
The Springfield Chamber has recently signed on to two coalition letters, one of which opposes SB 916 (regarding unemployment insurance for striking workers) at the state level, and one of which supports making pro-business Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) provisions permanent at the federal level.
- Opposition to Senate Bill 916: Protect Integrity of Oregon’s Unemployment Insurance Program
- Coalition Letter to Congress on Preserving the B-SALT Deduction
The Springfield Chamber encourages members to contact their representatives if they support the US Chamber coalition’s plea to “prevent a backdoor tax increase on American businesses by preserving the B-SALT deduction as an essential feature of the federal income tax system.”
Also this week, the Chamber submitted a letter to the Oregon DEQ regarding the Advanced Clean Trucks (ACT) rules, urging the DEQ to “weigh the economic and operational impacts alongside environmental benefits, and to consider a phased, flexible implementation strategy that accounts for infrastructure readiness and technology availability.”
TAKE ACTION THIS WEEK: SB 426 – General Contractor Liability; HB 2977 & HB 3962 – Transient Lodging Tax
This week, the Chamber encourages members to take action as Senate Bill 426 is heard by the House Labor and Workplace Standards Committee on Wednesday and House Bills 2977 and 3962 are heard by the House Revenue Committee on Thursday.
**Please note that scheduled hearings, sessions, and votes are all subject to change. The Springfield Chamber will work to update information as changes occur.**
ACTION ALERT
General Contractor Liability (SB 426)
The Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce has voiced its OPPOSITION to Senate Bill 426, citing concerns over unintended consequences for businesses, contractors and workers.
SB 426 would hold general contractors and property owners accountable for wage violations committed by subcontractors, regardless of their knowledge or involvement. The Chamber warns that this broad liability shift could discourage partnerships with small and emerging subcontractors, increase construction costs, and create additional challenges for businesses already complying with wage laws.
READ THE CHAMBER’S PREVIOUS LETTER OF OPPOSITION HERE.
SB 426 will have a public hearing in the House Labor & Workplace Standards Committee on Wednesday, May 7 at 3:00PM.
ACTION ALERT
Transient Lodging Tax Bills
(HB 2977, HB 3962)
The Springfield Chamber OPPOSES HB 2977, which increases the state TLT to fund wildlife conservation.
HB 3962 will allow local government to divert TLT dollars away from tourism promotion, expanding the approved use of the funds. The Springfield Chamber has remained neutral on this bill but continues to watch it as it impacts the tourism sector.
The House Revenue Committee will be discussing these two bills on Thursday, May 8 at 3:00PM.
Testimony can be submitted for either of these bills here.
KEY POLICY UPDATES: Tracking our 2025 Legislative Priorities
Legislative developments impacting the Chamber’s 2025 Legislative Policy Agenda, are unfolding.
Workforce Standards Boards in Home
Health Care (HB 3838)
The Springfield Chamber OPPOSES 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.
This bill remains alive but is no longer accepting testimony.
READ THE CHAMBER’S LETTER OF OPPOSITION HERE.
State Transportation Funding Package
The Springfield Chamber continues to watch as the Transportation Package conversation plays out in the legislature.
Last week, some Oregon House Republican lawmakers came out with a response to the package, suggesting the state cut or repurpose “more than $730 million in state funding currently reserved for things like public transit, bicycle projects and agency staff,” (read more of this proposal in an April 30 article from Oregon Public Broadcasting here).
GET ENGAGED: Help the Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce build a thriving business climate
Beyond our formal policy agenda, we’re monitoring workforce, education, and community issues that impact Springfield. Here’s what’s coming up.
Take the Business Climate Survey, win a prize!
The purpose of the Business Climate Survey is to track trends and issues affecting businesses. Business decision makers are surveyed to identify emerging issues that may be addressed by the Springfield Chamber. Aggregate data will be shared with community stakeholders, elected officials, and used by the Chamber for developing our advocacy and program priorities. Include your email at the end of the survey to receive a copy of the final results. Your name and organization will remain confidential.
Preliminary results will be shared at the 2025 State of Business Program on May 13. Those who fill out the survey before the end of day on Thursday, May 8 will be eligible to win a raffle prize drawing!
Register for the 2025 State of Business
Program – Tuesday, May 13
Join us for the Springfield Chamber of Commerce’s annual State of Business Program, a timely and engaging conversation on Oregon’s economic outlook, business climate, and policy landscape. This year’s program brings together leading voices from the economic and advocacy arenas to share data-driven insights and actionable perspectives.
US Chamber Small Business Briefing on Tariffs – Friday, May 9
Tariffs are having a real and devastating impact on thousands of small businesses across the nation as uncertainty, rising costs, and cancellations are hitting home. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is working vigorously to address these challenges. Learn about the latest updates to tariff policy and our recent advocacy efforts — including last week’s letter to the administration asking for an exemption from tariffs for small businesses — at a special briefing on Friday, May 9 at 8:30AM PST.
You’ll have a chance to submit your tariff questions for their experts to answer during the live broadcast when you register. Get insights into current tariffs, exemptions, potential future developments, possible effects on business operations, and more — register now.
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, May 5 here.
- Read Oregon Business and Industry’s Capitol Connect newsletter from Monday, May 5 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.
