Non Ag Bills Could Have Big Impact On Oregon Farmers

We have less than a month to go for the Oregon legislative session, and lawmakers have already passed the Gross Receipts, and appear poised to pass Carbon Reduction legislation, better known as Cap and Trade, there are at least two more pieces of legislation could have a huge impact on the Ag community in Oregon.  The first is Paid Family and Medical Leave, via House Bill 2005.

As lawmakers in Salem continue to work out the details of HB2005, Samantha Bayer with the Oregon Farm Bureau says it’s important that the unique nature of work on the farm be considered.

“Dairy cows need to be milked on a very ridged schedule, no matter what, they can’t have days off.  Oregon fruit grower need a reliable and skilled workforce for their harvest.  Certain crops have a limited window of time for harvest and if that window is missed the value of that crop is gone for the entire year.”

There is anticipation that HB2005 will pass, primarily because it has received the support of the Oregon Business & Industry.

The other piece of legislation, House Bill 2498 would change the definition of an employee or an independent contractor.  This could change how workers compensation and insurance are determined.  Bayer said while this may not directly impact farmers, it would impact services farmers need.

“A lot of agricultural businesses depend on highly skilled and unique contractors, your pesticide contractors, your custom guys who have certain pieces of machinery, and will come out and do services on the farm.  So, that has been a bill that we’ve been watching and hoping that does not come back up, because it will have a very serious impact for a lot of people in the state of Oregon.”

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