Oregon Mortgage Bankers Association
Final Legislative Report 2025 Oregon Legislative Session
Prepared by: Markee and Associates
Oregon Mortgage Bankers Association
Final Legislative Report 2025 Oregon Legislative Session
Prepared by: Markee and Associates
We are now into the final week of session and nearing the end of what has been nearly a six-month process and to coin a baseball term, we are in the bottom of the ninth inning with two outs. The last possible day for adjournment is Sunday, June 29th, but as we write this, legislative leadership is working on trying to finalize deals to potentially get out of the building by 25th or 26th. This session has been different than in recent years as there have not been any walkouts (though there is still time), and priorities going into session were more narrowly focused (though we did set a record for the most bills ever introduced).
The remaining big-ticket items outstanding this last week include working out the transportation package, wildfire funding, passing the remaining budget bills and working out whether some gun bills are going to be moved. The mood of the building over the last month, and especially the last week or so has turned a bit sour as patience has begun to wear thin. Many legislators have been told some of their top priorities are not going to move forward, and there remains a lot of disagreement between the two parties (and even within the parties) about how these last items of business should be worked out.
It is now May, and the legislature has now been in session for four months with roughly seven weeks remaining. Constitutionally, they must adjourn by June 29th, and an end date during that fourth week of June seems likely. While much has transpired already, perhaps the most intense days lie ahead. The May revenue forecast is set to take place on the 14th and will serve as the benchmark for which budgets for the 25-27’ biennium will be set. It is unclear what the outlook will be, but many expect revenue to be down, which will make budgeting for state agencies and state investment much more challenging. Since prior to the session, a transportation package has also been set as a priority. While it remains to be seen whether enough agreement can be reached between the two parties as well as internally within the respective parties, an initial proposal has been released. It contains:
Some major bills we have been tracking and working on your behalf include:
OMBA members Ashley Yarabenic, Tammy Golden, and Kirk Faulkner recently attended the Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA) National Advocacy Conference (NAC) in Washington, D.C., representing both Oregon and Washington.
The NAC is MBA’s premier annual event dedicated exclusively to federal advocacy for the real estate finance industry. It brings together professionals from across the mortgage sector for direct engagement with policymakers—offering a critical opportunity to shape legislation that impacts housing finance nationwide.
Prepared by: Markee and Associates
The 2024 legislative session adjourned late in the day on Thursday, March 7th around 8:15 PM.
OMBA
Final Legislative Report
In any event, and as things change (and I am sure they will in the coming days) we will be sure to let you know. In the meantime, we are happy to answer questions if there are any.
February 22, 2023
The Honorable Sandra Thompson
Director
Federal Housing Finance Agency
400 7th Street, SW
Washington, DC 20219
director@fhfa.gov
2023 OMBA 1st Quarter Legislative Update
Spring is nearly here, and the legislature has now been in session for two months. Policy committees are running at full speed and with the reduced building capacity due to construction on the building, all committees are running on a much tighter schedule as all of the normal committee rooms aren’t able to be used. As 1st chamber policy deadlines near, legislative leadership and individual members are working furiously on their bill priorities. All bills must be scheduled for a work session in their chamber of origin by March 17th and must be moved out of committee by Tuesday, April 4th. The next policy bill deadline will be on May 19th, where bills must be moved out of 2nd chamber committees. An example of this would be a House Bill which moved from committee and passed the House, must be moved out of a policy committee in the Senate.
Prepared by: Markee and Associates
The 2022 legislative session adjourned late morning on Friday, March 4th. It was the first time in nearly two years the public was able to access the capitol building despite committees being conducted completely virtually. While it was yet another unusual session to navigate as access was complicated due to building construction and a number of other factors, the overall tenor of the session was somewhat less contentious than the last several sessions. Marked by completely new house leadership and the upcoming retirement of the longest serving Senate President in Oregon’s history it was also a symbolic passing of the baton. In the House, Representative Dan Rayfield was voted in as Speaker, and Rep’s Vikki Breese Iverson and Fahey were chosen as Republican and Democrat leaders, respectively. Additionally, Rep. Tawna Sanchez was appointed as the House Co-Chair of the powerful Ways and Means Committee after a vacancy was left open when Rep. Rayfield was chosen to lead the House. In the Senate, Senator Peter Courtney who has presided as President since 2003 concluded his last session, and Senator Knopp replaced Senator Girod as Republican leader. To recap, the current make-up of the legislature is controlled by the Democrats who hold a super majority in both chambers, holding an 18-10-2 (two Republicans to switched to Independent Party last year) advantage in the Senate, and 37-23 in the House. While the last two years, since the pandemic began saw multiple special sessions to resolve COVID related issues, including housing and direct medical needs, as well as impacts realized by the active fire seasons, this session still had several matters legislative leadership were looking to address. Some of the most notable included: data broker legislation (HB 4017), figuring out how to best spend federal funds, rebalancing agency budgets, as well as a bill (HB 4002) on agricultural worker overtime pay (which was probably the most contentious).