Beaver State News

Oregon legislators have commenced their 2025 session with the introduction of over 2,500 bills in the House and Senate. The National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) is actively monitoring these bills to identify those that could impact small businesses. According to Anthony Smith, NFIB's State Director, this process will continue throughout the session as an additional 1,500 bills are expected before adjournment on June 29.

The legislative session presents both opportunities for pro-small business legislation and risks from potentially harmful laws. NFIB aims to keep its members informed about key issues affecting Oregon's small businesses.

One significant issue is a bipartisan effort to delay Oregon's Advanced Clean Trucks (ACT) Rule through House Bill 3119. This bill seeks to postpone the enforcement of California's stricter electric vehicle regulations by Oregon’s Department of Environmental Quality until January 1, 2027. NFIB has expressed support for this bill.

Another contentious topic is Senate Bill 916, which proposes allowing striking workers to receive unemployment benefits. The Oregon Employment Department clarifies that unemployment insurance supports individuals who lose jobs or face reduced hours "through no fault of their own." Employers fully fund unemployment taxes in Oregon, and public employers reimburse the state for benefits paid. NFIB opposes SB 916 due to potential tax increases for unrelated small businesses and encourages members to voice opposition during a public hearing on February 6.

Additionally, estate tax reform remains a focus for NFIB following the passage of Senate Bill 498 in 2023, which introduced a $15 million estate tax exemption for certain natural resource businesses. This year, NFIB supports further reforms including raising the estate tax exemption threshold from $1 million, indexing it to inflation, and eliminating the marriage penalty by providing portability for individual taxpayers. These changes aim to protect small business assets from unexpected tax liabilities.