Oregon State Chamber of Commerce Header 2015 Legislative Priorities

 

2015 Legislative Priorities

(Revised 3/31)

 

The 2015 OSCC Legislative Agenda represents the legislative priorities of the Main Street business community as represented by the 66 local Chambers of Commerce represented by the Oregon State Chamber of Commerce.

 

The OSCC is organized to support business growth, job growth and income growth in each of our local communities.

We believe a healthy business climate, and the jobs that such a business climate creates, is the key to building up our local communities and making them prosperous.

 

The 2015 OSCC Legislative Agenda reflects our belief that state government can be a valuable partner in helping our local communities grow and prosper.  But the 24,000 businesses that belong to our local chambers also caution the Oregon Legislature against enacting counter-productive policies that would effectively block our ability to create jobs and more prosperous communities.

 

The OSCC Opportunity Agenda for Local Business and Communities includes:

 

  1. Transportation investments

 

  • Support HB 2075 (Aircraft fuel taxes for local airport maintenance)
  • Support HB 2287 / HB 2464 (Lottery Bonds for multi-modal transportation projects)
  • Support HB 2550 (Comprehensive transportation funding package)

 

  1. Expansion of small business tax cut.

 

  • Support HB 2688 concept (needs amendments)
  • Support SB 197 (expands small business tax cut to all small business)

 

  1. Natural resource utilization. 

 

  • Support HB 2984 (Clackamas County pilot for forestry cooperative on non-forest land)
  • Support HB 2985 (Authorizes county forestry cooperatives on non-forest land)
  • Support HB 2997 (OBDD budget allocation project to assist in western juniper harvesting)
  • Support HB 2998 (Directs OBDD to assist persons engaged in harvesting western juniper)
  • $50 million for Columbia River water transmission infrastructure

 

  1. Career & Technical Education/Workforce Development. 

 

  • Support HB 2728 (Oregon Talent Council)
  • Dedicated CTE funding (SB 129 will provide $14mm per biennium)

 

  1. Local community development & tourism. 

 

  • Support HB 2241 (Brownfields Redevelopment)
  • Support HB 2289 (Tax Credit for Brownfield cleanup)
  • Support HB 2643 (Streamlines E-Zone process, eliminates cap on number of E-Zones)
  • Support HB 2734 (Land Bank Authority / Tax Incentives for brownfield cleanup)
  • Support SB 129 (Gain Share/ SIP Compromise)
  • Support SB 565 (State tax credit for historic property rehabilitation)
  • Support SB 611 (Tax certainty for centrally assessed companies)
  • Support SB 807 (Job Creation Zones)
  • Oppose HB 2133 (Deletes requirement that 70% room tax revenue dedicated to tourism)

 

The OSCC Defensive Agenda for Local Business and Communities includes:

 

  1. Expansion of business mandates & regulation.

 

  • Oppose HB 2005 / SB 454 (Mandatory Paid Sick Leave)
  • Oppose HB 2007 (Employer liability for wage discussions)
  • Oppose HB 2386 (Cease & Desist authority for BOLI)
  • Oppose HB 2540 (Prevailing wages in E-Zones)
  • Oppose HB 2606 (Expands OFLA to include sibling leave)
  • Oppose HB 2764 (Expands workers comp attorney fees; 5% increase in system costs)
  • Oppose HB 3025 (Prohibits criminal background checks until after conditional job offer)
  • Oppose SB 19 (Expands liability for wage claims)
  • Oppose SB 718 (Liens on employer property for wage claim allegations)

 

  1. Increased taxes on businesses & individuals. 

 

  • OSCC will actively engage on legislation that increases tax burdens or tax regulation on local businesses and individual taxpayers

 

  1. Low Carbon Fuel Standard.

 

  • Oppose HB 2192 / HB 2450 / SB 324 – all of which repeal the sunset on DEQ’s authority to implement the Clean Fuels Program.

 

  1. State-run retirement plan mandate for private sector employers/employees

 

  • Oppose HB 2960 / SB 615 unless amended to make voluntary and ensure employers not subject to ERISA liabilities prior to plan implementation

 

  1. Increased minimum wage beyond current law annual CPI increases. 

 

 

  • OSCC Opposes HB 2004, HB 2956, SB 130, and SB 332 – all of which repeal Oregon law that preempts local governments from increasing minimum wage rates on private employers.Oregon State Chamber of Commerce Footer 2015 Legislative Priorities