Oregon legislation · 2026 Legislative Measures
Oregon HB4027: Relating to the Bureau of Labor and Industries; and prescribing an effective date.
Status: Chaptered, April 6, 2026
Digest: The Act would have DCBS set a rate to put at least a minimum amount in a new fund to pay for the duties of the head of BOLI and the related costs of the head of DCBS. The Act would also have the rate be set to create and maintain a 12-month reserve in the new fund. The Act would bar moneys from the Workers Benefit Fund being used to make up the new assessment amounts in the new fund. 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: 71.1). [ 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 or 12 months of projected expenses to fund the duties of the Commissioner of the Bureau of Labor and Industries, subject to a cap on the costs of new positions, to reimburse certain related expenses of the Director of the Department of Consumer and Business Services and 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 to make up the new assessment amounts. Raises the maximum fee amount paid by public agencies that award public works contracts subject to the prevailing w
What the bill says
From the enrolled text, March 4, 2026:
83rd OREGON LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY--2026 Regular Session House Bill 4027 Sponsored by Representative WATANABE, Senator TAYLOR, Representatives GRAYBER, PHAM H, RIEKE SMITH, SOSA; Representatives ANDERSEN, CHAICHI, FRAGALA, GAMBA, ISADORE, LIVELY, MUNOZ, NELSON, TRAN, Senator PATTERSON (Presession filed.) CHAPTER ................................................. Relating to the Bureau of Labor and Industries; creating new provisions; amending ORS 279C.825, 656.506, 656.605 and 656.630; and prescribing an effective date. SECTION 1. Section 2 of this 2026 Act is added to and made a part of ORS chapter 656. SECTION 2. (1) The BOLI Expenses Fund is established in the State Treasury, separate and distinct from the General Fund. Interest earned by the BOLI Expenses Fund shall be credited to the fund. (2) Moneys in the BOLI Expenses Fund are continuously appropriated to the Department of Consumer and Business Services. (3) Subject to an agreement between the Director of the Department of Consumer and Business Services and the Commissioner of the Bureau of Labor and Industries, moneys in the BOLI Expenses Fund may be used to reimburse the actual administrative expenses incurred by the director under this section and ORS 656.506 (6) and (8). (4) The BOLI Expenses Fund consists and (b) Moneys appropriated to the fund by the Legislative Assembly. SECTION 3. Section 2 of this 2026 Act is amended to read: Sec. 2. (1) The BOLI Expenses …