LOC News
Recreational Immunity, Collective Bargaining and PERS Bills in Committee This Week
This week, the Legislature considered or moved bills that would increase PERS costs, restore recreational immunity, and extend unemployment benefits to striking workers. All of these bills are assigned to the LOC’s General Government Portfolio, which covers all employment matters, municipal lability, structures of government, public safety and health.
Specifically the Legislature did the following in committee:
- Took testimony on SB 847 in the Senate Committee on Labor. The bill requires employers to increase their subsidy of the health insurance plan available to retirees within the Public Employee Retirement System. The LOC testified in opposition as the bill would increase employer costs.
- Passed SB 916 with amendments. The current version of the bill would allow striking employees to receive unemployment benefits after two weeks away from their jobs. The LOC remains opposed to SB 916, which will be headed to the Senate floor for a vote. The LOC urges cities leaders to continue communicating their opposition to their Senators and expand their outreach to their House members as well.
- Moved legislation restoring recreational immunity to the Senate floor for a vote. The Senate Judiciary Committee unanimously passed out SB 179 which will extend a temporary measure passed in 2024 to address a vulnerability in Oregon’s recreational immunity protections created by an adverse court ruling.
Contact: Scott Winkels, Lobbyist - swinkels@orcities.org
Last Updated 3/7/25