A significant amendment to House Bill 2548 was discussed during the Oregon House Committee on Rules meeting on May 29, 2025, focusing on the working conditions of farm workers in the state. The amendment mandates the Center for Public Service at Portland State University (PSU) to conduct a comprehensive study on labor standards and the experiences of farm workers, evaluating existing workplace protections and identifying gaps.

The study will delve into critical issues such as health and safety risks, wages, access to benefits, and the overall working environment for farm workers. It aims to gather firsthand accounts from both workers and farmers across various agricultural sectors and regions in Oregon. The report is expected to provide lawmakers with valuable insights into the challenges faced by farm workers, many of whom are immigrants and people of color, and to inform potential policy changes.

Supporters of the amendment, including representatives from Oregon's Farmworker Union and the Oregon Center for Public Policy, emphasized the necessity of understanding the realities of farm work, which are often obscured by misconceptions. They argue that the study will illuminate the barriers farm workers face in accessing their rights and protections, ultimately guiding legislative action to improve their conditions.

However, the amendment faced opposition from agricultural representatives, including the Oregon Farm Bureau Federation. Critics argue that the qualitative nature of the study may not adequately capture the economic realities of farming, and they expressed concerns about potential biases in the data collection process. They highlighted the need for a more balanced approach that includes quantitative analysis to understand the broader economic impacts of proposed policies on both workers and employers.

The committee is set to review the findings of the study, with updates scheduled for May 1 and September 1, 2026, and a final report due by December 1, 2026. The discussions reflect a growing recognition of the complexities surrounding labor standards in agriculture and the urgent need for informed policy-making that considers the voices of all stakeholders involved.