The 2025 Oregon Legislative session presented a complex environment for the business community, shaped by new leadership and a large influx of newly elected legislators. While numerous policy proposals aligned with the Chamber’s priorities and successfully passed, others raised serious concerns due to their potential to increase regulatory and liability burdens on key industries. Over the course of the 158-day session, nearly 3,400 bills were introduced—20% of which were placeholder bills. The Chamber tracked 190 bills and budget items, and actively engaged in 51 bills via testimony or signing on to coalition advocacy efforts.
The 2025 long legislative session began with high hopes for bipartisan cooperation on key statewide issues. Chief among them was a renewed focus on transportation funding, with lawmakers spending the interim traveling across Oregon to better understand the transportation needs of different communities. However, as the session progressed, it became increasingly clear that reaching consensus on a comprehensive funding package would be difficult—if not impossible—in 2025.
Despite the setback of the failed transportation package, the 2025 session included several positive developments, most notably the formation of a bipartisan, bicameral Central Oregon Legislative Caucus. Co-chaired by Sen. Anthony Broadman (D-Bend) and Rep. Vikki Breese-Iverson (R-Prineville), the caucus brought together ten legislators from the tri-county region. Meeting multiple times throughout the session, the group established a consensus agenda and successfully secured nearly $30 million in appropriations for regional priorities.
For a full review of the Chamber’s 2025 policy priorities and where bills landed when the gavel fell, please click here.
