[{"_1":2,"_112":-5,"_113":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6326029,"mediaKeyId","2330082-13ab76b839dcd1e11f4ee6ac5def50bf","parentId",2330082,"title","Building Codes Division pitches tools for housing production and training in budget hearing","audioSeconds",543,"startMs",3858079,"endMs",4401485,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2330082-13ab76b839dcd1e11f4ee6ac5def50bf&start=3858&end=4401","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2330082-13ab76b839dcd1e11f4ee6ac5def50bf/thumbnail_3858079.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6326029/Oregon/Building-Codes-Division-pitches-tools-for-housing-production-and-training-in-budget-hearing","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6326029-ac6c7f15fe7745dbf53cd832e524b432/orig.mp4?Expires=1775260855&Signature=C7fanp6PYc2qJUfI125lqP376LcvrxTqrUvZx9LtAifWof~NtSb0iEaVMlnJ-DjtOLN6xviUnoe9Oyfh9vKEDWeKfHXfbSLrm5QV93PHG9lrotmlAnmkOvzGcDyMke1qcK-zvXFiZ6n557lmmL0cKFpOzeoJ~WW4jNsY74hEOsheVXm1Qd5j14g~mUAEFzZWljY6V7XCNktJROCobBrOA6cSJ6z7A80AnGwW6nzj0eT~sIdcTpYCJmpbh12bYAcftYBUkU9NcGiC58MeWZYWhyTQEc3JabP4RQ~P-mb4giK2Q-XQqsbQ4e4J9vQCCf9uwThyKiv6mmtoH7wKKn3GZg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Oregon State Legislature","date","2025-02-17T00:00:00Z","article","Alana Cox, administrator of the Oregon Building Codes Division (BCD), told the Transportation and Economic Development Subcommittee that BCD is focused on safety, predictability and removing barriers to housing production while maintaining a statewide code standard.

Why it matters: BCD writes and administers Oregon’s statewide building code and helps supply inspection capacity in parts of the state that do not operate local building departments. Its initiatives affect construction timeliness, housing affordability and local permit revenues.

BCD highlights and requests: Cox described tools and program changes intended to increase housing capacity and administrative efficiency:
- Oregon Design Criteria Hub: an interactive site (developed with Oregon State University) that provides site‑specific design values such as snow and wind loads to speed plan review and reduce research time for designers and inspectors.
- Building evaluation support agreement: a new multilateral mutual‑aid agreement that allows jurisdictions to access inspection capacity without negotiating separate intergovernmental agreements for each partner.
- ePermitting expansion: an online permitting system used by 86 cities and counties, with features including electronic plan review, inspector mobile apps and live video inspections.
- Housing Accountability and Production Office (HAPA): BCD is partnering with the Department of Land Conservation and Development to stand up a one‑stop office (authorized by legislation) to help customers navigate development, resolve disputes and coordinate agency actions; the office begins operations July 2025.

Staffing and POPs: Cox said BCD has 33 FTE and receives roughly 12,500 policy and technical contacts annually; she reported 96% of those contacts were answered within one business day. The division seeks authority for a new learning management system, continued support for ePermitting contracts, billing software for elevator and boiler programs, and four additional plans examiners phased in as revenue and demand allow.

Workforce and housing lens: Cox explained a statewide code and inspection system keeps standards uniform and supports a mobile, trained workforce. She emphasized the division’s efforts to expand prefabrication (off‑site modular construction) and manufactured housing programs, adopt code changes to allow stacked townhome types, and expand permit‑ready plans to help reduce development time and cost.

Committee reaction: Committee members took no votes and asked few questions during Cox’s presentation; BCD staff will return with additional detail as part of the continuation of DCBS testimony.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Joint Committee On Ways and Means Subcommittee On Transportation and Economic Development 02/17/2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Building Codes Division told the subcommittee it is using digital tools, mutual‑aid agreements and training investments to remove barriers to housing production while sustaining statewide building‑safety standards.","taxTitle","Transportation and Economic Development, Ways and Means, Joint, Committees, Legislative, Oregon","taxId",20197,"location","Oregon","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6326039,"Informational hearing on SB 5511 highlights reinsurance renewal and IT modernization at DCBS",103,4960,108420,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2330082-13ab76b839dcd1e11f4ee6ac5def50bf&start=4&end=108","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2330082-13ab76b839dcd1e11f4ee6ac5def50bf/thumbnail_4960.jpg","/articles/6326039/Oregon/Informational-hearing-on-SB-5511-highlights-reinsurance-renewal-and-IT-modernization-at-DCBS","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6326039-358ec6d7c3820cb233646c212222780a/orig.mp4?Expires=1775260855&Signature=KPoJsTT~llu9ozi6EZl7vjhkmyEKQo03aEAQHwulwA7i8W~-UP2vQcW8jZOKbE3Jfi8Ilr-UEb9~w3LSXjn2wPrYiGZmpXB-aGjSjE9~1H8jj2fK4hK0-hNE-4ypMJbBdtm~~QSHkgnZFE~yiHSPUyD4OrId1BmWE1AQpzDUEFCVD1ozax-rcXyZha66ql9aSxHYv4aG5bM0flJxz3RzE9If75ntPHE--S2pMmTsya1j8nFqImy3r4SWOij6pqwa97ojb-CW-gnxTdVcAchPxCrg17UOTdliscQXroUL9itmlDwUVIOtCGP82aRQM~458HQmlTchAc9N6nL5F4ACXA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Good afternoon. The Transportation and Economic Development Subcommittee opened an informational hearing in February on Senate Bill 5511, the budget bill for the Department of Consumer and Business Services (DCBS). Patrick Heath of the Department of Administrative Services’ Chief Financial Office and DCBS Director Andrew Stolfi presented the governor’s proposed highs and lows for the 2025–27 biennium, answered committee questions and outlined policy drivers behind the request.

Why it matters: DCBS regulates insurance, building codes, workplace safety and related markets that affect nearly every Oregon household and many local governments. The governor’s proposal would restore a large reinsurance payment stream that phases out in the current service level and would fund multi‑year IT modernization projects and targeted staffing to support regulatory work and consumer assistance.

The budget picture: Patrick Heath told the committee the current service level budget is $569,700,000 in total funds compared with a 2023–25 legislatively approved total of $783,900,000 — a $214,200,000, or 27.3%, reduction driven largely by the scheduled expiration of the Oregon Reinsurance Program. Heath said, “The Governor’s budget supports a policy to renew those assessments and to renew that program.” The governor’s recommended budget includes about $230,000,000 total funds for the reinsurance program in 2025–27.

Major investments and shifts: Director Stolfi summarized DCBS priorities and how the agency is funded. He described roughly $406,000,000 in estimated agency operating expenses, and noted DCBS expects to collect about $1.6 billion in revenue, much of which transfers to other state uses. Stolfi told the committee that the agency is requesting funding for:
- Reinsurance program restoration (as noted above).
- Workers’ compensation technology modernization (roughly $13,500,000 other funds) and a $2,500,000 request for the Workers’ Compensation Board’s case management modernization.
- Investments in Oregon OSHA outreach and enforcement and a $2,200,000 package for Building Codes Division support tied to housing goals.
- A proposed one‑time $15,000,000 transfer from the Workers Benefit Fund (WBF) to the Bureau of Labor and Industries (BOLI) to support workplace investigation programs; Heath and Stolfi said the transfer is identified as a one‑time payment and would come from the WBF balance.

Funding flows and transfers: Stolfi walked the committee through transfers DCBS programs make to other state accounts. He said the Division of Financial Regulation (DFR) transfers excess revenue to the state general fund (about $224,000,000 estimated), that a 2% insurer assessment is expected to generate approximately $510,000,000 for the Oregon Health Plan, and that other transfers include county building inspection support and transfers to the state fire marshal (figures presented at the hearing: roughly $600,000 to counties and about $43,000,000 to the fire marshal, as described by Stolfi).

Budget risks and policy context: Stolfi and Heath repeatedly told the committee that DCBS is primarily an other‑funds agency and that macroeconomic fluctuations — especially hours worked that fund the WBF — and enrollment or permit volume declines can materially affect revenue. They also stressed multi‑biennium IT modernization needs, the risk posed by legacy systems, and the agency’s strategic planning priorities including customer service, equity, and technology.

Next steps: Committee members pressed for more granular FTE and workload data tied to each policy option package (POP). Stolfi and staff said detailed FTE and POP justification would be provided in the subsequent presentation and in supplemental materials posted on OLIS. The committee recessed the informational hearing to continue DCBS testimony the following day; no formal votes were taken at this session.","The Transportation and Economic Development Subcommittee opened an informational hearing on Senate Bill 5511, the budget bill for the Department of Consumer and Business Services, where agency and DAS staff framed the governor’s proposal and highlighted reinsurance, technology modernization, and transfers to other state programs.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6326024,"DCBS outlines workers' compensation modernization, ombuds expansion and a one‑time transfer to BOLI",409,68330,477610,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2330082-13ab76b839dcd1e11f4ee6ac5def50bf&start=68&end=477","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2330082-13ab76b839dcd1e11f4ee6ac5def50bf/thumbnail_68330.jpg","/articles/6326024/Oregon/DCBS-outlines-workers-compensation-modernization-ombuds-expansion-and-a-onetime-transfer-to-BOLI","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6326024-ed42e1246f32b0ce8519d22a950c67f9/orig.mp4?Expires=1775260855&Signature=oD~7gdCLXNE2gN22rYhOWFLUv7lsyN-gzM1bpRyKed5URRM2bzWVLAg6Oo2TIuyX0hG0fvSPMbjqoA9HWPB2QGoorIpYHHABpy-uUlx26DCu7vpInqD-sseFOYDXwYdfnFpxN~lEl6rcjxRMCFn6eDdNrghorfY41648xeFiaQnhMdilFQtdpMESP6sIlfk3uOjsjjd2UQAytgPAgb-JkCHV5bofDI3bn1IOBSI~-nLma~G9D1EeY4rCefgCw37k1sSA4Fs45F2vcRpOYV2vneel4F85LnCqP4q04hj1ljLejI1aHriAzVf0MMOWUWVwa1Yag3XOw8y4Iyxeb56BIg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Director Andrew Stolfi and DCBS staff described a package of investments and performance issues tied to Oregon’s worker protection system — including workers’ compensation, the Workers’ Compensation Board, Oregon OSHA and two ombuds offices.

What was presented: Stolfi and Patrick Heath emphasized two multi‑biennium technology modernization efforts in the Workers’ Compensation Division and at the Workers’ Compensation Board. Agency witnesses said the governor’s budget includes approximately $13,500,000 other funds for workers’ compensation program modernization and $2,500,000 other funds for the Workers’ Compensation Board case management system to modernize appeals workflows.

Workers Benefit Fund transfer: Heath and Stolfi confirmed the governor’s recommendation includes a one‑time $15,000,000 transfer from the Workers Benefit Fund (WBF) to BOLI to support workplace investigation programs. The agency explained the WBF is funded by a 2¢ per hour assessment (split evenly between employers and employees) and that the transfer would be drawn from the WBF balance; the agency said it does not expect to change the assessment rate because of the transfer.

KPM and insurer timeliness concerns: Stolfi flagged key performance measures. He said KPM 9 — a measure of insurer and self‑insured employer claim processing performance — was 78.8% against an 85% target. He told the committee the department has increased enforcement focus, conducted audits and raised civil penalty amounts to improve compliance, and said more recent quarter‑by‑quarter data show improvement.

Ombuds offices and outreach: DCBS described two small but active ombuds offices. The Small Business Ombuds (2 FTE) helps businesses contest premium audits, classification codes and similar issues; the agency gave a recent example in which ombuds assistance yielded more than $32,000 in savings for a small Salem business. The Ombuds for Oregon Workers (6 FTE) — which was expanded three years ago to serve non‑injured workers on safety and health matters — receives roughly 587 inquiries per month, resolves about 86% of inquiries within two days, and reported that about 16% of monthly inquiries come from non‑English speakers (97% of those Spanish speakers). DCBS requested one additional outreach staffer to expand bilingual engagement.

Administrative efficiencies and accounts receivable: Stolfi described office consolidations, shared hearing facilities and a recent effort to assign delinquent debt for collection. As of June 30, 2024, DCBS had assigned 100% of eligible liquidated and delinquent debt (about $129,000,000) to the Department of Revenue; recovered debt totaled about $7,000,000 in the last fiscal year.

Committee follow‑up: Senators asked for more granular insurer and claim data (how many insurers contribute to the KPM shortfall, and which insurers are out of compliance). DCBS said the workers’ compensation administrator would provide additional data during the next day’s presentation or in supplemental materials.","DCBS told the committee it plans technology modernization in the workers' compensation system, flagged KPM shortfalls on insurer timeliness of payments, and requested an additional bilingual outreach FTE for the Ombuds for Oregon Workers; staff also described a one‑time $15 million transfer from the Workers Benefit Fund to BOLI.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6326035,"Division of Financial Regulation requests staff and exam funding; highlights reinsurance and PBM oversight",670,3028655,3699210,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2330082-13ab76b839dcd1e11f4ee6ac5def50bf&start=3028&end=3699","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2330082-13ab76b839dcd1e11f4ee6ac5def50bf/thumbnail_3028655.jpg","/articles/6326035/Oregon/Division-of-Financial-Regulation-requests-staff-and-exam-funding-highlights-reinsurance-and-PBM-oversight","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6326035-0c2fd1c1b4dd4bb097988f3c3a5e313c/orig.mp4?Expires=1775260855&Signature=T3MoTruIhHvMoG4LAZx3siflgYk33TCNg~jqmSBoNa-at1lyT3XPpiGboJLc1RNHj9Qa-e73yLabjfFYwp9fk~xxwyj4TWxnnM9-~U5ISn-OySZCTJjvrjqAvI4ybaM3rpAgF7-Ko1OSch8Ur~WpNZXo-8RpjfIOSEBWR6cnFWzUImGOGYAOPcKGjpUu9gPYeOTKjEsJ7L5ZQACPsCkrSMOtfYLfI~heCP1z2AbsBvLpnfVGJ3IWfK3ZO1sViigBf4UnBvtC4EiYtM3nLJJbwcx8wBZ-G-CiKXGgbtjrlMXZimsemXjvgRYyz7mmkkyvYoEO-LIAZdV0EnJCNlzkRA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","TK Keane, administrator of the Division of Financial Regulation, told the Transportation and Economic Development Subcommittee that DFR’s work spans insurance, banking, securities and several consumer protection programs. Keane said the division returned more than $9,000,000 to Oregonians last year and handled more than 17,000 consumer phone calls and emails.

Why it matters: DFR’s oversight affects insurer rate filings, consumer complaint resolution, and complex market conduct work. The division’s budget requests would expand examinations, consumer advocacy and market surveillance capacity at a time regulators face new responsibilities such as PBM licensure and data‑broker registration.

Key programs and statutory changes: Keane outlined recent statutory work that changed DFR’s responsibilities:
- Data broker registry (House Bill 2052, effective Jan. 1, 2024) requires companies that collect, sell or license brokered personal data to register and publish consumer opt‑out information.
- Pharmacy benefit manager licensure (House Bill 4149, effective Jan. 2025) converted PBM oversight from registration to licensure for most commercial plans and increased DFR oversight tools, including books and records authority.

Requested capacity and rationale: Keane described seven policy option packages (POPs) before the committee, including:
- Continued support for the state reinsurance program and its federal waiver‑related funds.
- Additional limitation for contracted examination services to ensure timely, nationally accredited examinations of domestic insurers and financial institutions (contract examiners are reimbursed by industry but require limitation authority to spend).
- An additional consumer advocate position to handle rising property‑casualty complaint volumes (property‑casualty complaints rose from about 1,300 in 2020 to about 2,600 in 2024, Keane said).
- A market conduct analyst to bolster insurer compliance review, administrative support for the state banking and community bank team, and a paralegal to manage administrative enforcement caseloads.

Revenue and transfers: Keane and Director Stolfi said DFR and other DCBS programs are a net revenue source for state government: DFR transfers an estimated $224,000,000 to the general fund through assessments; Stolfi added that insurer assessments supporting the Oregon Health Plan are expected to generate about $510,000,000. Keane noted that industry complexity has grown and that additional staff and contracting flexibility are necessary to meet national accreditation and consumer protection expectations.

Committee follow‑up: Committee members pressed for FTE detail and timing for positions. Keane and agency staff said some positions are phased into the biennium (reflected as partial‑year FTE such as 0.88 for a position phased in later) and agreed to provide further documentation.","The Division of Financial Regulation (DFR) told the subcommittee it seeks authority for the reinsurance program, additional contracted exam capacity, consumer advocacy staffing and new oversight authorities for pharmacy benefit managers after returning millions to consumers and increasing outreach.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Building Codes Division pitches tools for housing production and training in budget hearing

Informational hearing on SB 5511 highlights reinsurance renewal and IT modernization at DCBS

DCBS outlines workers' compensation modernization, ombuds expansion and a one‑time transfer to BOLI

Division of Financial Regulation requests staff and exam funding; highlights reinsurance and PBM oversight