Oregon House Bill 2548  would create a new Agricultural Workforce Standards Board. The bill was crafted by unions and trial attorneys who evidently do not want to spend the time or money to unionize farm by farm, so they are proposing a “workforce standards board” to bargain for our workforce at the sector level. This legislation would make it so expensive and risky to employ people, that many farms would have no choice but to reduce their footprint in Oregon, lay off employees, or sell to the highest bidder.

Urgent action is needed. The bill is the subject of a short-notice hearing taking place this Wednesday, March 12, at 3 p.m.  in the Oregon House Committee on Labor and Workplace Standards. We need all hands on deck submitting written testimony against this bill.

What it does: HB 2548 includes two provisions that effectively “unionize” farm work at the industry level:

• It creates an unelected governing body with the authority to set increased regulations for Oregon farms at least EVERY TWO YEARS, including:
• Set higher minimum wage (estimated over $20);
• Set piece-rate wages;
• Establish requirements for rest breaks, work schedules and working hours;
• Provide uniform training on worker rights by state-certified worker organizations (i.e. unions and trial attorneys); and
• Establish new workplace health and safety requirements in addition to those already adopted by Oregon OSHA.
• It eliminates at-will employment for agriculture, dictating how farm employers can discipline or terminate workers. Further, it creates a private right of action against employers who make termination or disciplinary decisions that an employee or trial attorney disagrees with.

The bill also contains an emergency clause making it effective immediately upon passage.

OAN’s stance: Oppose House Bill 2548.

What you can do:

1. Submit written testimony through the legislative website. Click here to start.
2. Testify in person or remotely at 3 p.m. Wednesday, March 12. Note: Only a limited number of people will be able to do this. If you are interested, contact Jeff Stone at  JStone@OAN.org or text 971-235-3868.
3. Write to your state senator and/or representative. (Find your legislator.)

The following legislators are on the committee:

• Chair Rep. Dacia Grayber (D-Portland)
• Rep. Lucetta Elmer (R-McMinnville)
• Rep. Lesly Muñoz (D-Woodburn)
• Rep. Shelly Boshart-Davis (R-Albany)
• Rep. Lisa Fragala (D-Eugene)
• Rep. Travis Nelson (D-Portland)
• Rep. Anna Scharf (R-Dallas)

What to say:

• HB 2548 threatens my ability to keep farming. Oregon already has some of the highest labor costs in the country, and after several tough years, I can’t afford more regulations and wage increases.
• HB 2548 would give unelected officials the power to set wages and safety rules that go far beyond current protections. This would add more regulatory burden to small farms like mine. Farmers know how devastating this regulatory model is. Oregon’s state agencies have adopted very harmful regulations in the last five years with little to no accountability for their actions. This board would be no different; its members aren’t even elected.
• HB 2548 unfairly targets agriculture by taking away at-will employment. This means I wouldn’t be able to make necessary staffing decisions without the risk of costly lawsuits. One claim can cost tens of thousands of dollars or more.
• Farms should not be forced keep employees who may not meet performance expectations or adapt to the demands of the job. All other sectors in Oregon would be at-will, but farms—whose employment needs are impacted by weather, yields, trade, market conditions, pests, diseases, etc.—would not. Not only is that unfair, but it would likely result in job loss, not job security.
• HB 2548 doesn’t help workers or consumers; it just makes farming harder and more expensive. I have already had to reduce hours for workers to comply with agricultural overtime, and this bill would have even more severe consequences.
• HB 2548 shifts the burden of proof. The proposal would require employers to prove the reasonableness of a termination, shifting the burden to them. Family farms and ranches would be vulnerable to costly litigation, as they would need to defend against employment claims, even in situations involving market conditions, poor yields, or weather events.
• HB 2548 would increase litigation costs. Family farms already face enormous financial strain. It costs around $75,000 just to settle a claim before it reaches court. Adding legal risks will only increase financial pressure, especially for small, family-run operations.
• HB 2548 would increase economic hardships. Many Oregon farms are already struggling with poor yields and low commodity prices. Most will spend the next several years recovering from cash losses incurred in 2023 and 2024. This proposal adds another layer of uncertainty that could force family farms into financial ruin.
• HB 2548 would take away staffing flexibility: The proposals limit necessary flexibility for staffing and termination decisions, making it harder for employers to navigate the unpredictability of farming. These restrictions could lead to difficulty in hiring and maintaining a workforce.
• HB 2548 would threaten the livelihood of family farms and ranches by imposing unnecessary legal burdens. It increases costs and limits the flexibility needed to manage agricultural businesses. At a time when family farms are struggling to stay afloat, the Legislature should reject this punitive concept.

How to submit testimony

• Follow the letter of support template below
• Once complete, email your letter to the committee and CC your legislators. Please ensure that your letter is in PDF format.

*All submitted materials will be viewable by the public, including names, addresses, phone numbers and any other personal information that is included in the materials.

If you have any questions, please contact Jeff Stone at JStone@OAN.org or 503-682-5089.

Sample Letter: