[{"_1":2,"_112":-5,"_113":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6254571,"mediaKeyId","3169732-b7a8b8dc5ab86fe0212a1dd44fdea9d6","parentId",3169732,"title","Committee hears bill to exempt minor league players from state wage rules while under MLB collective bargaining agreement","audioSeconds",133,"startMs",3490000,"endMs",3623000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3169732-b7a8b8dc5ab86fe0212a1dd44fdea9d6&start=3490&end=3623","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3169732-b7a8b8dc5ab86fe0212a1dd44fdea9d6/thumbnail_3490000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6254571/Oregon/Committee-hears-bill-to-exempt-minor-league-players-from-state-wage-rules-while-under-MLB-collective-bargaining-agreement","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6254571-a92e2c91b28b626f517eb619706fb788/orig.mp4?Expires=1770664930&Signature=ZVzWZPZSV6Yl7LxPGBJFH4suPa0OUJgTcwdpSKMSRpZ8gZ85roe-uYYqUTNnpilK8VAzFkSKGRWW-Wp0PYB9CVLHZRz20IQFuqS7SyJfdRNMv8Y3wXQnrF86VSXVubS~LtkZiJF4RcmaLwWu5KyJQJyjHbb3NqD5g3B5ItEEC-IhxE1UTzUdQhFQl5DdWbdbMe~VuMywaQIUDwOGA6I7IHg-4WOjglfv59swHhfFENAdlaZ5ASwPa8v8eDqGdkB1XS~H5FBHKVUlJghr0073a1XqLMtyNLCVy-A4v1Il69ODmyKY~k3~zY49364m3RKwHyk40DffRUDY7EVETDM0DA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Oregon Legislature","date","2025-05-01T00:00:00Z","article","The Senate Committee on Labor and Business held a May 1 public hearing on House Bill 3550, which would exempt minor league baseball players from Oregon wage‑and‑hour rules (minimum wage, overtime and related requirements) while they are compensated under a negotiated collective bargaining agreement between Major League Baseball and the minor league players’ union.

Representative Dacia Graber, the bill sponsor, said the exemption is narrowly tailored and limited to periods when players are paid pursuant to the collective bargaining agreement. Graber said the CBA treats players as salaried employees who receive weekly pay year‑round except for a brief holiday period when players are not permitted to perform work. She told the committee that the CBA also provides health, retirement and housing benefits and salary continuation for disability from a work‑related injury.

Quest Meeks, director of state government relations for Major League Baseball, told the committee MLB and the Major League Baseball Players Association jointly support the bill and submitted a joint letter to that effect. Meeks said states with near‑identical laws have already passed similar exemptions and that this change is necessary to allow the national collective bargaining agreement to operate uniformly across states where minor league clubs play.

Committee staff noted the bill came over from the House with 35 aye votes, 15 nays and 10 excused. The committee closed the public hearing and plans a work session next Tuesday.

Supporters said the measure is a routine, narrowly tailored statute of deference to a negotiated CBA; no opposition testimony appeared on the record during the hearing. The sponsor and MLB representatives emphasized that the exemption would apply only while the players are covered and paid under the specified CBA.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Senate Committee On Labor and Business 05/01/2025 8:00 AM","oneSentenceSummary","Senate Committee on Labor and Business members heard May 1 testimony on House Bill 3550, which would exempt minor league baseball players from Oregon wage‑and‑hour statutes while they are compensated under a negotiated Major League Baseball collective bargaining agreement.","taxTitle","Labor and Business, Senate, Committees, Legislative, Oregon","taxId",17989,"location","Oregon","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6254576,"Bill would create escalating fines for public employers that repeatedly delay union dues remittance and employee rosters",1344,2016000,3360000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3169732-b7a8b8dc5ab86fe0212a1dd44fdea9d6&start=2016&end=3360","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3169732-b7a8b8dc5ab86fe0212a1dd44fdea9d6/thumbnail_2016000.jpg","/articles/6254576/Oregon/Bill-would-create-escalating-fines-for-public-employers-that-repeatedly-delay-union-dues-remittance-and-employee-rosters","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6254576-1c449b872f88722aae044644756dd925/orig.mp4?Expires=1770664930&Signature=fDNIVvlqXHHUbPlhvldFguQ8YIfBMTWn~cJC3Y6CmRhMu1LSlxIMsQdzXKpQMT2tA857HswEDp1pn1JJLrR4HXkho~pqogSG3G-GaC4VfgCiI0RtOFIuUP3KKmyjYxDMvMEr6LjeToVhlpK3suJpw4iT1mjM9FRRgKqA3YV2MVrG2owNGklWeDcBiHbLRVKAYfg6YoYt~SbT4KIiDZTGiiIMXkSiGkQEbLpWKoiUt28OObqWK2wzGB1ssGFg6vm-iXIw8bnZ~9EerFQcy3xyTRn-ZKtFnvrU8ICruA4Cen1u99ATR9nMxC4UGbOhgH5pnOLP2Qb-Rnhv5fPJTOWSgA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Senate Committee on Labor and Business on May 1 took public testimony on House Bill 2944 A, a bill that would direct the Employment Relations Board (ERB) to impose civil penalties on public employers for repeat or subsequent violations of certain PECPA duties, including timely remittance of dues and regular submission of bargaining‑unit rosters.

Representative Travis Nelson (House District 44) framed the bill as enforcing obligations the Legislature clarified in 2019. Nelson said some employers have delayed remitting dues or providing rosters for months or years and described the bill as \"measured, fair, and ... grounded in accountability.\" He said the bill removes an automatic civil penalty for first offenses and establishes a graduated penalty structure for second and subsequent violations to fit employers of different sizes.

Under the A engrossed described in committee, a second violation would carry a civil penalty not less than $1,000 and not more than $5,000; a third violation and beyond would carry a penalty not less than $5,000 and not more than $10,000. The bill directs the ERB to consider extenuating circumstances such as natural disasters or cybersecurity events when setting penalty amounts but would require the board to impose a civil penalty for repeat violations within those ranges.

Opponents — including the League of Oregon Cities, Association of Oregon Counties and some individual legislators — urged adding clearer affirmative defenses for catastrophic events, saying the new minimums could force financially strained small cities and counties to pay fines when they are responding to floods, wildfires or cyberattacks. Representative Lucetta Elmer said she brought a minority report in the House to preserve sanctions while adding an affirmative defense for extenuating circumstances and argued local governments need a clear statutory safe harbor for catastrophic events.

Adam Reinert, chair of the Employment Relations Board, told the committee that since the 2019 changes took effect on Jan. 1, 2020, the ERB has received seven complaints about these duties, issued one consent order, and seen several cases withdrawn. He said the board currently imposes civil penalties only when violations are found to be egregious, knowing, or repetitive; the bill would create a specialized increased‑penalty structure for repeat violations of the specified PECPA duties.

Municipal and county representatives said they are willing to comply with the law but sought statutory language that would allow the ERB greater discretion to exempt or reduce penalties in exceptional events; unions and worker groups said the bill is necessary because voluntary compliance has not solved the problem and enforcement options are limited and costly for unions.

The committee closed the public hearing and the chair said a work session will be scheduled next Tuesday to consider amendments and further testimony.","Senate Committee on Labor and Business members heard May 1 testimony on House Bill 2944 A, which would require the Employment Relations Board to impose escalating civil penalties on public employers for repeat failures to remit authorized union deductions and to provide bargaining‑unit rosters.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6254581,"Oregon panel hears plan to raise workers' compensation witness‑fee cap to $3,500 and index it",392,1310000,1702000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3169732-b7a8b8dc5ab86fe0212a1dd44fdea9d6&start=1310&end=1702","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3169732-b7a8b8dc5ab86fe0212a1dd44fdea9d6/thumbnail_1310000.jpg","/articles/6254581/Oregon/Oregon-panel-hears-plan-to-raise-workers-compensation-witnessfee-cap-to-3500-and-index-it","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6254581-e8d073f599603670f79446d638716565/orig.mp4?Expires=1770664930&Signature=MUhgHn-Y865W-ap1yvYBjMw5eBoL14LUdakIZ3lK-mPRhp9LuBELLd0wraBtuF1AgGLUrS50P1B0XRuzoA1nPjtkUNpLdeTY~ayYmrqotK7jY3WnX6WmOLE8-1mP92z9Oeo9cb4wAmKSOlim8yAlEB7zokPt2EJpJSjJ~OCtpNkrTGwkoomHjIIjxWa3r0rgezfTLSftJsaBSsjqna4Euy2L2LgadXSGbu2gSJMVO3BVXrMf1lFZNnw97f14mKriGjmaWWhdrNFMyeM8iMGeOCnyjTglNnTag5t8zzn9ScROYU71d2EgZ91SZRlfYkqYUPsakna8DHlUOuWecIaxbA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Senate Committee on Labor and Business held a public hearing May 1 on House Bill 2799 A, which would increase the cap on reimbursable witness fees, expenses and costs for claimants who prevail in workers' compensation compensability disputes from $1,500 to $3,500 and index that cap annually to the Oregon Employment Department's average weekly wage.

Representative Ricky Ruiz (House District 50) testified in support, calling the increase a \"modest practical improvement\" that prevents workers who prevail from being left to shoulder litigation costs for expert witnesses and medical records. Ruiz said House Bill 2799 was vetted by the Management Labor Advisory Committee (MLAC) and reflects a compromise among stakeholders.

Senator Chris Gorsek, who also supported the bill, described the cap as outdated and said indexing will prevent future erosion by inflation: \"This cap hasn't changed in decades,\" he said. Jovanna Patrick of the Oregon Trial Lawyers Association (OTLA) testified that the measure is narrow in scope: the dash‑2 amendment limits the change to compensability disputes and preserves an extraordinary‑circumstances exception that allows higher awards when warranted. Patrick said the nature and cost of medical evidence has grown and that some hearings now require multiple specialists, which can exceed the current cap.

Ivo Trummer, government relations director for SAFE, told the committee the organization supported the dash‑2 amendment and had negotiated with OTLA. Committee staff said the bill came over from the House with 53 aye votes, one absent and six excused. Chair Taylor closed the public hearing and said a work session will be scheduled next Tuesday.

Proponents argued the change will improve access to justice and may reduce litigation because workers are more able to afford the evidence needed to prove a valid claim within the cap. Witnesses also noted the bill retains an \"extraordinary circumstances\" pathway for awards above the cap, and the dash‑2 narrows the bill's original coverage to focus on compensability disputes.","Senate Committee on Labor and Business members heard May 1 testimony on House Bill 2799 A, a proposal to raise the reimbursable‑cost cap for claimants who prevail in workers' compensation compensability disputes to $3,500 and to index that cap to Oregon’s average weekly wage.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6254588,"Oregon committee hears bill to allow supervised provisional cosmetology certificates",1236,52000,1288000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3169732-b7a8b8dc5ab86fe0212a1dd44fdea9d6&start=52&end=1288","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3169732-b7a8b8dc5ab86fe0212a1dd44fdea9d6/thumbnail_52000.jpg","/articles/6254588/Oregon/Oregon-committee-hears-bill-to-allow-supervised-provisional-cosmetology-certificates","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6254588-37f996aa720a8ca9ae9e7797ea96eec4/orig.mp4?Expires=1770664930&Signature=OJtzVMx8szYcfa4rpseraoZ8SBIKHiAKHI7IINDd~EcLlFB9OMq8g53joOT~yfqn1bwaaYJmrcmQBOQqNsnrEYz~q0aO9yaivOwsihjRlckLW1p~5EOaKje0rC9UrKA6cvvtzKBTUjgxipd-y~jhOgLO85~a9u1L1pSwXk6z2F0mdr5aTWgdv-MKYlZY3OSPIfQaCKTCaRMVFLqmLQOFUMNsNMTEKL-14gxGwGLk51KC0h6mZ-SsF1M6UVWhWXmg6w-LyMTFoPq9yjWZWa3oT3EZR0hX51dS4OzUP9qMp-sCnmvIkmqxmJ9BwlR2ABf26XgVvDwyOH97SPDTaXH6xQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Chair Taylor opened a public hearing May 1 on House Bill 2380 A, which would create a provisional certificate issued by the Health Licensing Office and administered under rules adopted by the board of cosmetology, allowing a provisional certificate holder to work under the supervision of an active certificate holder while completing licensure requirements.

Representative Bobby Levy, House District 58, testified in support, saying the measure \"is a much needed step toward expanding opportunities in the workforce, removing unnecessary barriers, and ensuring that inspiring professionals can gain hands on experience while working toward full licensure.\" Levy said the bill is intended to help rural areas where cosmetology schools are not available, and noted the measure becomes operative Jan. 1, 2027, \"declares an emergency, and is effective on passage.\"

Chris Hofstadter, representing Anastasia Salons, Summit Salon Academy and the Association of Oregon Cosmetology Colleges, testified in opposition. Hofstadter raised cost concerns for employers and trainees, saying the bill “does not specify who pays the cost” of required textbooks and training materials and warned that small, often women- and minority-owned salons may lack capacity to absorb additional insurance and training costs. He added that some cosmetology schools and career-technical programs were not included in drafting the measure and urged further engagement with educators.

Senator David Brock Smith, who joined the hearing, described a rural access problem that motivated the bill: he told the committee that in some Southwest Oregon communities the nearest cosmetology school is three to four hours away and praised the bill as creating a path for apprenticeships when a licensed practitioner has five or more years in practice and is more than 50 miles from a school.

Committee staff said the bill came from the House with a recorded 54 aye votes and six excused. Chair Taylor said the committee will hold a work session on the bill next Tuesday to continue consideration.

The hearing record included staff detail that the bill requires the board of cosmetology to adopt rules establishing a process for the Health Licensing Office to issue provisional certificates and sets supervision requirements; the measure contains a minimal fiscal impact and no revenue impact, according to staff summary.

Supporters and opponents both emphasized protecting training quality and health standards; opponents requested clearer funding and operational details for how textbooks, insurance and supervision would be handled in small businesses and by community colleges. The committee closed the public hearing and scheduled a work session for the following Tuesday.","Chair Taylor opened a May 1 public hearing on House Bill 2380 A, which would let the Health Licensing Office issue provisional cosmetology certificates permitting supervised on‑the‑job training while individuals pursue full licensure.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Committee hears bill to exempt minor league players from state wage rules while under MLB collective bargaining agreement

Bill would create escalating fines for public employers that repeatedly delay union dues remittance and employee rosters

Oregon panel hears plan to raise workers' compensation witness‑fee cap to $3,500 and index it

Oregon committee hears bill to allow supervised provisional cosmetology certificates