Legislative Update: April 1, 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).
With the legislative session reaching its halfway point, lawmakers are working quickly to advance bills before the critical April 9th deadline. Committees are packed, legislative staff are working at full speed, and new bills—some well-vetted, others just emerging—are moving through the process.
The Springfield Chamber remains actively engaged, tracking key legislation that could impact the local business community. As the session unfolds, the Springfield Chamber will continue providing updates on the policies shaping Oregon’s economic landscape.
TAKE ACTION THIS WEEK: HB 3062
One bill on the Chamber’s opposition list has a public hearing and possible work session this week on April 3.
ACTION ALERT!
Industrial Land Siting
(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.
Ongoing development is essential to Springfield’s tax base and economic stability, supported by private sector commitments and public-private collaboration that drive sustained growth. However, increasing regulatory encroachments—such as those proposed in HB 3062—threaten this progress by placing constraints on development within an already scarce buildable lands inventory, slowing economic growth, and undermining Springfield’s long-term investment potential.
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 has a public hearing and possible work session scheduled Thursday, April 3 at 1:00PM.
REGISTER TO TESTIFY AT THE PUBLIC HEARING HERE
SUBMIT WRITTEN TESTIMONY HERE – open until 4/5 at 1:00PM.
KEY POLICY UPDATES: Tracking our 2025 Legislative Priorities
Legislative developments impacting the Chamber’s 2025 Legislative Policy Agenda, are unfolding. The following bills are scheduled for Work Sessions in advance of the April 9th deadline– contact information for representatives is included for each bill below.
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 takes place on Tuesday, April 1, at 1:00PM.
Make your voice heard! Find your local representatives and their contact information here.
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 Monday, April 7, at 3:00PM.
Make your voice heard! Find your local representatives and their contact information here.
Harmful Insurance Bill
(SB 174)
The Springfield Chamber OPPOSES expanding Oregon’s Unlawful Trade Practices Act to punish violations of insurance providers.
If passed, SB 174 would likely lead to higher insurance costs and more lawsuits, further burdening Oregon’s court system. The Springfield Chamber, OBI, and a broad coalition of industry allies oppose the bill and are working to ensure it does not advance. With Oregon’s cost of living already on the rise, this legislation would add even more financial strain on businesses and residents.
READ THE CHAMBER’S LETTER OF OPPOSITION HERE.
The next work session for this bill takes place on Thursday, April 3, at 3:00PM.
Make your voice heard! Find your local representatives and their contact information here.
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.
Make your voice heard! Find your local representatives and their contact information here.
MID-SESSION RECAPS: Two Opportunities to Learn More
Beyond our formal policy agenda, we’re monitoring workforce, education, and community issues that impact Springfield. Here’s what’s coming up.
Oregon State Chamber Member All Call:
Friday, April 11, 9:30 a.m.
There will be a special legislative call next Friday, April 11th at 9:30 a.m., open to anyone interested in learning about OSCC’s efforts this session and how they support advocacy for local businesses.
Link coming soon!
REGISTER HERE
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.
Relevant Publications
- Facts from the Frontlines: Today’s Top Issue: Oregon’s Construction Costs Are Headed Up—Here’s Why, Common Sense Institute, March 31, 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 Tuesday, April 1, here.
- Read Oregon Business and Industry’s Capitol Connect newsletter from Monday, March 31, 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.
