SB 1045. Senator Diane Rosenbaum (D-Portland). Employer Credit Checks.

As introduced, the bill would effectively prohibit employers from running credit checks on employees for employment related purposes and create new Unlawful Employment Actions against employers who took adverse employment actions based on credit reports.

Actions: AOI strongly opposed bill. AOI worked this issue in order to gain language that allows employers to continue to use credit checks, so long as those checks are substantially job-related.

Status: Passed Senate, Passed House. Awaiting Governor's signature.

HB 3653. House Business Committee. "Employer Gag Bill" re-write.

This bill is the third version of the "employer gag bill" to be introduced in less than one year at the request of the AFL-CIO. HB 3653 expands the political content that employers are prohibited from discussing with employees. But the new bill will specify that employers are allowed to hold mandatory meetings on such things as workplace safety and other topics directly related to the job. AOI's legal counsel has assured AOI that the new bill will not sidetrack our pending federal lawsuit challenging the validity of SB 519.

Actions: AOI strongly opposed the bill in the House, going so far as to introduce a "minority report" on the bill that forced the House to vote on a full repeal of the original SB 519.

Status: HB 3653 passed the House 34-26, but the hard fought battle in the House caused the Senate to balk on the bill. The bill died in the Senate.

HB 3655. House Business Committee. Unemployment Benefit Extension.

As introduced, HB 3655 is a $19 million Oregon Emergency Benefits extension that would fund nearly 19,000 unemployed workers for an additional 4-6 weeks of benefits. This is money previously allocated for emergency benefits last year that has not been utilized. The $19 million will not impact employers' unemployment tax rates. AOI supported the bill.

Status: Passed Legislature. Signed by Governor.

HB 3706. Representative Nick Kahl (D-Portland). Includes Banks and Lenders under Oregon's Unlawful Trade Practices Act.

As introduced, the bill puts Oregon's community banks and financial institutions under Oregon Unlawful Trade Practices Act. HB 3706 allows new private rights of action against these businesses.

Actions: AOI opposed the bill, arguing that subjecting community banks and lender to new lawsuits will ultimately diminish the availability of credit and hurt community businesses.

Status: Narrowly passed the House and Senate. Awaiting Governor's signature.