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OregonHB 22482025 Regular SessionHouse

Relating to the Bureau of Labor and Industries; and prescribing an effective date.

Sponsored By: Sponsor information unavailable

Signed by Governor

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

5 provisions identified: 4 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.

New labor law help for employers

The law creates an Employer Assistance Division within Oregon’s Bureau of Labor and Industries, called BOLI. It provides employers with education, training, and guidance on laws BOLI enforces. Anyone can request a written advisory opinion, and the division can also issue one on its own. BOLI must post opinions online as soon as practicable; opinions and related communications after an employer’s request are public and usable in BOLI cases. Administrative judges must consider good-faith reliance on an opinion unless it has been changed or withdrawn.

Private guidance can protect employers from penalties

Employer discussions with the Employer Assistance Division are generally private and cannot be used in later BOLI cases. That protection does not cover communications after an employer requests an advisory opinion. Employers can share earlier discussions to prove good-faith reliance and avoid penalties. They must prove they participated, relied reasonably, and acted under the same law and the same or substantially similar facts. Protection does not apply when employers omit or misstate important facts, and it does not erase specified money owed to employees. BOLI cannot share the requesting employer’s identity with other regulators or bureau divisions unless the law requires it.

More settlement options for labor disputes

BOLI can use mediation, talks, and other settlement methods during investigations and after a hearing is scheduled. After a complaint is filed, settlements must be written; the commissioner’s settlement orders require an agreement signed by a commissioner’s representative. The general settlement authority excludes complaints under ORS 659A.820 and 659A.825, which have separate procedures. Settlement orders can be enforced in court or recorded as liens, with a one-year enforcement window tied to the underlying act or omission. Settlement talks are generally confidential, subject to ORS 36.222, while agreements and orders remain public and usable as evidence. Separate privacy protections for specified housing discussions remain unless the people involved waive them in writing. Formal charges are required when settlement efforts fail or justice requires a hearing; specified discrimination charges must explain the court-trial option.

Labor agency can receive business information

BOLI can make agreements with other state agencies to receive business names, contact details, state identification numbers, and business types. Shared information keeps its public-records exemption only while the original reason for that exemption still applies.

Collection fees for labor judgment debtors

BOLI can charge a person or business subject to a cease-and-desist judgment for outside collection help. The charge cannot exceed the actual fees a government or private collection agency charges BOLI to collect that judgment.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsors

There is no primary sponsor on record.

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 93 • No: 3

Senate vote • 4/29/2025

Third reading. Carried by Bonham. Passed.

Yes: 25 • No: 3

Senate vote • 4/15/2025

Labor and Business: Heard and Reported Out

Yes: 5 • No: 0

House vote • 3/31/2025

Third reading. Carried by Elmer. Passed.

Yes: 56 • No: 0

House vote • 3/19/2025

Labor and Workplace Standards: Heard and Reported Out with Amendments

Yes: 7 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

  1. Chapter 22, (2025 Laws): effective on the 91st day following adjournment sine die.

    5/20/2025House

  2. Governor signed.

    5/7/2025House

  3. President signed.

    5/1/2025Senate

  4. Speaker signed.

    5/1/2025House

  5. Third reading. Carried by Bonham. Passed.

    4/29/2025Senate

  6. Carried over to 04-29 by unanimous consent.

    4/28/2025Senate

  7. Carried over to 04-28 by unanimous consent.

    4/24/2025Senate

  8. Carried over to 04-24 by unanimous consent.

    4/23/2025Senate

  9. Second reading.

    4/22/2025Senate

  10. Recommendation: Do pass the A-Eng. bill.

    4/22/2025Senate

  11. Work Session held.

    4/15/2025Senate

  12. Public Hearing held.

    4/10/2025Senate

  13. Referred to Labor and Business.

    4/1/2025Senate

  14. First reading. Referred to President's desk.

    4/1/2025Senate

  15. Third reading. Carried by Elmer. Passed.

    3/31/2025House

  16. Second reading.

    3/27/2025House

  17. Recommendation: Do pass with amendments and be printed A-Engrossed.

    3/25/2025House

  18. Work Session held.

    3/19/2025House

  19. Public Hearing held.

    2/26/2025House

  20. Referred to Labor and Workplace Standards.

    1/17/2025House

  21. First reading. Referred to Speaker's desk.

    1/13/2025House

Bill Text

  • HLWS Amendment -2 (Adopted)

    3/19/2025

    PDF

  • HLWS Amendment -2 (Proposed)

    3/10/2025

    PDF

  • HLWS Amendment -1 (Proposed)

    2/26/2025

    PDF

  • A-Engrossed

    PDF

  • Enrolled

    PDF

  • House Amendments to Introduced

    PDF

  • Introduced

    PDF

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