Senate Bill 1166 advances protections for Oregon rideshare drivers and establishes resource fund

The Senate Committee on Rules convened on April 28, 2025, to discuss Senate Bill 1166, which aims to enhance protections for drivers working with transportation network companies (TNCs) in Oregon. The meeting began with an overview of the bill's key provisions, presented by Senator Casey Chama.

Senate Bill 1166 mandates that TNCs compensate drivers fairly and establishes a policy for deactivating driver accounts. It also allows drivers to accrue and utilize paid sick leave. A significant aspect of the bill is the creation of a driver resource center and fund, which will receive an appropriation of $250,000. Additionally, TNCs will be required to provide drivers with specific information regarding each dispatch trip, including trip receipts for passengers and weekly trip statements for drivers.

The bill further stipulates that TNCs must submit quarterly and monthly reports to the Bureau of Labor and Industries (BOLI), which will also be responsible for enforcing the provisions of the bill. Importantly, it ensures that all drivers, regardless of their classification as employees or independent contractors, have the same rights and can file wage claims with BOLI. A task force aimed at improving access to benefits for TNC drivers was also proposed.

During the discussion, it was noted that an amendment to the bill, referred to as the dash 1 amendment, would replace the original measure. This amendment clarifies several definitions and increases the appropriation to the driver resource fund from $250,000 to $4,000,000. It also allows for voluntary driver contributions to the fund and simplifies reporting requirements by mandating only monthly reports to BOLI. Furthermore, the amendment prohibits TNCs from deactivating driver accounts without just cause and allows drivers to pursue civil action against TNCs for violations within a year.

Senator Chama emphasized the importance of the bill, highlighting that it addresses long-standing issues faced by drivers in his district, particularly concerning low pay and account deactivation challenges. The meeting concluded with a call for further discussion and consideration of the bill's implications for drivers across Oregon.