OregonHB 40892026 Regular SessionHouseWALLET

Relating to criminal offenses related to work.

Sponsored By: Courtney Neron Misslin (Democratic), Farrah Chaichi (Democratic), Floyd Prozanski (Democratic), Gregory Smith (Republican), James Manning Jr. (Democratic), Lesly Muñoz (Democratic), Thuy Tran (Democratic)

Became Law

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

5 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 3 costs, 1 mixed.

Criminal cases don’t block wage claims

A theft‑of‑services criminal case does not stop civil or agency wage claims. Employees, independent contractors, their representatives, and BOLI can still seek unpaid wages, compensation, penalties, damages, and other remedies.

Felony for misusing contractor license numbers

Intentional use of a contractor’s license number without authorization is a Class C felony. Using a license number, with or without authorization, to deceive the public is a Class C felony. Violating the rule on proper use of license numbers is a Class A misdemeanor.

Hiring unlicensed labor contractors is a crime

Breaking labor‑contractor rules carries criminal penalties. General violations are Class C misdemeanors, and certain violations are Class A misdemeanors. Knowingly contracting with an unlicensed construction labor contractor is a Class A misdemeanor and becomes a Class C felony with a prior conviction. Other violations can rise to a Class C felony if you have a prior conviction, your license was suspended, revoked, or denied, or you act under an outstanding order.

Tougher penalties for stealing services

The law treats many things as services, including labor, transport, phone, computer, cable, food, lodging, equipment, gas, electricity, steam, and water. Leaving without paying for services usually paid right away is prima facie evidence of intent. Getting communication or utility services without paying is also prima facie evidence. Prosecutors may add values from similar thefts across victims within 30 days, or for the same victim or joint owners within 180 days. Penalties scale by total value: under $100 is a Class C misdemeanor; $100–$999 a Class A misdemeanor; $1,000–$9,999 a Class C felony; $10,000 or more a Class B felony.

Agencies share data to enforce work laws

The law establishes an Interagency Compliance Network across Justice, Revenue, Employment, Consumer and Business Services, BOLI, the Construction and Landscape Contractors Boards, and others. Agencies share information to target worker misclassification, cash pay, tax and employment noncompliance, and theft of services. They develop methods, run joint audits, and coordinate outreach. Shared data can be used only to enforce the receiving agency’s laws, and Network meetings are exempt from the public meetings law.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Cosponsors

Ben Bowman
Democratic • House
Cyrus Javadi
Democratic • House
Deb Patterson
Democratic • Senate
Janeen Sollman
Democratic • Senate
Jason Kropf
Democratic • House
Jeff Golden
Democratic • Senate
Kayse Jama
Democratic • Senate
Lamar Wise
Democratic • House
Lisa Fragala
Democratic • House
Mari Watanabe
Democratic • House
Mark Gamba
Democratic • House
Nancy Nathanson
Democratic • House
Nathan Sosa
Democratic • House
Paul Evans
Democratic • House
Sara Gelser Blouin
Democratic • Senate
Sarah McDonald
Democratic • House
Shannon Isadore
Democratic • House
Sue Rieke Smith
Democratic • House
Susan McLain
Democratic • House
Tom Andersen
Democratic • House
Travis Nelson
Democratic • House
Wlnsvey Campos
Democratic • Senate
Zach Hudson
Democratic • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 73 • No: 17

Senate vote • 3/5/2026

Third reading. Carried by Neron Misslin. Passed.

Yes: 26 • No: 2

Senate vote • 3/3/2026

Rules: Heard and Reported Out

Yes: 5 • No: 0

House vote • 2/27/2026

Third reading. Carried by Grayber. Passed.

Yes: 33 • No: 9

House vote • 2/24/2026

Rules: Heard and Reported Out with Amendments

Yes: 4 • No: 3

House vote • 2/16/2026

Labor and Workforce Development: Heard and Reported Out with Amendments

Yes: 5 • No: 3

Actions Timeline

Chapter 53, (2026 Laws): Effective date January 1, 2027.
4/6/2026House
Governor signed.
3/31/2026House
President signed.
3/10/2026Senate
Speaker signed.
3/10/2026House
Third reading. Carried by Neron Misslin. Passed.
3/5/2026Senate
Second reading.
3/4/2026Senate
Recommendation: Do pass the B-Eng. bill.
3/4/2026Senate
Public Hearing and Work Session held.
3/3/2026Senate
Referred to Rules.
3/2/2026Senate
First reading. Referred to President's desk.
3/2/2026Senate
Third reading. Carried by Grayber. Passed.
2/27/2026House
Second reading.
2/26/2026House
Recommendation: Do pass with amendments and be printed B-Engrossed.
2/25/2026House
Public Hearing and Work Session held.
2/24/2026House
Referred to Rules by order of Speaker.
2/18/2026House
Without recommendation as to passage, with amendments, be printed A-Engrossed, and be referred to Rules.
2/18/2026House
Work Session held.
2/16/2026House
Public Hearing held.
2/4/2026House
Public Hearing scheduled.
2/4/2026House
Referred to Labor and Workforce Development.
2/2/2026House
First reading. Referred to Speaker's desk.
2/2/2026House

Bill Text

Enrolled
3/6/2026
PDF
B-Engrossed
2/25/2026
PDF
House Amendments to A-Engrossed
2/25/2026
PDF
HRULES Amendment -A6 (Adopted)
2/24/2026
PDF
HRULES Amendment -A7 (Proposed)
2/24/2026
PDF
A-Engrossed
2/18/2026
PDF
House Amendments to Introduced
2/18/2026
PDF
HLWD Amendment -1 (Proposed)
2/16/2026
PDF
HLWD Amendment -4 (Adopted)
2/16/2026
PDF
HLWD Amendment -1 (Proposed)
2/11/2026
PDF
Introduced
1/28/2026
PDF

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