Oregon legislation · 2026 Legislative Measures

Oregon SB1506: Relating to the Bureau of Labor and Industries; prescribing an effective date.

Status: Failed, March 6, 2026

Digest: The Act would have DCBS set a rate in order to put at least a minimum amount in a new fund to pay for certain BOLI positions. The Act would also have the rate be set to create and maintain a year of expenses for this purpose. The Act would bar moneys from the Workers' Benefit Fund being used for this purpose. The Act would raise the cap on the fee paid by public agencies for contracts subject to the prevailing wage rate. The Act would require BOLI to report every other year as to whether the cap brings in enough money to pay for BOLI's staffing needs. (Flesch Readability Score: 71.3). [ Digest: Tells LPRO to conduct a study on how state labor agencies in other states are funded. (Flesch Readability Score: 68.9). ] [ Requires the Legislative Policy and Research Director to conduct a study of the manner in which state labor agencies in other states are funded. Directs the director to submit findings to the interim committees of the Legislative Assembly related to labor and business no later than September 15, 2027. ] [ Sunsets on January 2, 2028. ] Amends the Workers' Benefit Fund assessment statute to direct the Department of Consumer and Business Services to set an additional assessment rate in order to deposit in a new BOLI Expenses Fund at least the greater of a minimum dollar amount to fund certain positions at the Bureau of Labor and Industries or 12 months of projected expenses for this purpose. Requires the assessment rate be set at a level to create and maintain a 12-month reserve in the new fund. Prohibits the transfer of assessment moneys in the Workers' Benefit Fund to the new fund for the Bureau of Labor and Industries positions. Raises the maximum fee amount paid by public agencies that award public works contracts subject to the prevailing wage rate. Requires the Bureau of Labor and Industries to submit a biennial report to the interim committees of the Legislative Assembly relating to labor that examin