SB 1506 Oregon Senate · 2026 Regular Session

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

Summary
] [ 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 examines whether the maximum fee amount raises enough revenue for the bureau to meet its staffing needs. Takes effect on the 91st day following adjournment sine die.
Bill status in committee 1 of 4 stages cleared
Introduction
Feb 2026
Committee Review
Floor Vote
Governor
Introduced Feb 2, 2026 Last action Mar 7, 2026
Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

Introduced A-Engrossed · 7 edits
MODERATE
The bill was substantially rewritten to replace a study requirement with a funding mechanism. The original version required a study on how other states fund labor agencies and would expire in 2028. The new version creates a new fund to pay for Bureau of Labor and Industries positions, establishes assessment rates to fund it, and raises fees for public works contracts to generate revenue.
Scope change
The bill's scope shifted from a temporary study requirement to an ongoing funding and fee structure for the Bureau of Labor and Industries.
REQUIREMENT

Removed the requirement for the Legislative Policy and Research Director to conduct a study on how other states fund labor agencies.

Requires the Bureau of Labor and Industries to submit biennial reports on whether the increased fees generate enough revenue to meet staffing needs.

TIMELINE

Removed the sunset provision that would have ended the study requirement on January 2, 2028.

FISCAL

Created a new BOLI Expenses Fund in the State Treasury to pay for Bureau of Labor and Industries positions.

Directed the Department of Consumer and Business Services to set assessment rates to fund the new BOLI Expenses Fund.

Raised the maximum fee amount paid by public agencies for public works contracts subject to prevailing wage rates.

Prohibits transferring money from the Workers' Benefit Fund to the new BOLI Expenses Fund.

Floor votes

How they voted

No floor votes recorded yet.
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
8
Key actions
2
Committee
4
Mar 7, 2026
Upper · Passed
In committee upon adjournment.
upper
Feb 12, 2026
Committee
Referred to Ways and Means by order of the President.
upper
Feb 12, 2026
Upper · Passed
Recommendation: Do pass with amendments and be referred to Ways and Means. (Printed A-Eng.)
upper
Feb 2, 2026
Committee
Referred to Labor and Business.
upper
Feb 2, 2026
Introduced
Introduction and first reading. Referred to President's desk.
upper
1 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors

Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Photo of Kathleen Taylor
Kathleen Taylor
DDemocratic
OR
21