PORTLAND, Ore. — The House Committee on Economic Development, Small Business and Trade on Feb. 26 held a public hearing on House Bill 3100, which would appropriate $3,200,000 to the Oregon Business Development Department (Business Oregon) to develop a unified state trade strategy and related programs.

The measure directs Business Oregon to collaborate with the Port of Portland, the Oregon Department of Agriculture, Travel Oregon and other stakeholders to contract in‑market experts, support inbound and outbound trade missions, expand promotion of Oregon exports and provide technical assistance to businesses affected by foreign tariffs. The bill declares an emergency and would take effect on passage.

Representative Daniel Winn, who introduced the bill, told the committee Oregon’s traded sectors support jobs across the state. "Oregon exports of manufactured products supported an estimated 81,000 jobs in 2021 and a total of 5,530 companies exported from Oregon locations in 2022, of which 88% were small and medium sized enterprises," he said, noting major export markets and sector examples including electronics, timber, wheat and wine.

Why it matters: proponents said Oregon lacks a coordinated, long‑term trade plan and that a formal strategy could both grow exports in good times and help businesses respond to tariff shocks. "The Oregon trade bill is a proactive solution that in the best of times will promote Oregon products and tourism...and in the worst of times serve as a last line of defense for Oregon businesses caught in the crossfire of a trade war," Winn said.

Panel testimony: international representatives and trade stakeholders testified in support. Daniel Guachin Chen, director general of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Seattle, urged closer ties with Taiwan and highlighted rapid growth in semiconductor trade between Oregon and Taiwan. Consul Carlos Quesnel, Consul of Mexico in Portland, said trade between Oregon and Mexico rose from $1.3 billion in 2020 to $7.1 billion in 2024 and described Mexico as a leading destination for Oregon exports.

Kimberly Branham, Port of Portland chief trade and economic development officer, said the port and related state agencies have already developed a framework strategy and that added funding would make collaboration "more strategic, coordinated, and impactful for Oregonians." Dan Jarman of the Oregon Winegrowers Association urged that the Oregon Wine Board be included as a stakeholder and described the wine sector’s export and tourism numbers.

Questions and concerns: committee members pressed proponents on accountability, statewide equity and administration of the funds. Representative Watanabe asked whether existing resources are sufficient and whether $3.2 million would be enough to expand trade for small businesses; Winn replied that existing resources are available across agencies but that the appropriation would formalize coordination and connect businesses to those tools.

Representative Skalados asked how success would be measured; Winn said the committee should work with Business Oregon on key performance measures and ongoing budget oversight. Representative Dobson asked why lottery funds were needed and whether the requested money would divert resources from other priorities; Winn said lottery funds are commonly used to support economic development initiatives and that the funding would help formalize an effort stakeholders already support.

Scope and activities described in testimony included contracting with in‑market experts, organizing trade missions, promoting Oregon exports and providing technical assistance to businesses impacted by tariffs. Speakers emphasized benefits for small and medium sized exporters, agricultural producers, the wine industry, semiconductor and renewable‑energy sectors, and ports and logistics facilities.

Outcome: the committee held the public hearing; no vote was recorded on HB 3100 during the session.

The committee closed the public hearing on House Bill 3100 and moved on to other agenda items.