House approves package of bills on renters, child care, farmworker lactation rights and workplace statutes; omnibus budget bills pass

House of Representatives members approved a package of bills on April 3, 2025, passing measures on tenant lease terminations, agricultural worker lactation rights, child care licensing flexibility, school integrated pest management, a statewide homeownership goal, and changes to the state agency process for workplace civil actions. Lawmakers also approved two Senate budget-related bills and other measures on the third-reading calendar.

Why it matters: The bills address an array of policy areas that affect housing stability, workplace protections for agricultural employees, access to child care, school safety around pesticide use, and how workers pursue discrimination or harassment claims through the Bureau of Labor and Industries (BOLI). Several measures passed unanimously or with broad support; one bill altering the statute of limitations for civil actions after BOLI investigations drew extended floor debate and opposition.

Key outcomes and context

- House Bill 21 34 ("freedom to find a place"): Representative Sanchez presented the bill, which lets a tenant who is in good standing and who is given a 90-day landlord possession notice terminate a fixed-term lease with a regular 30-day notice if the tenant finds another place before the lease term ends. Sanchez said the change aims to avoid forcing renters to pay for two units while they stabilize housing. The House voted to pass the bill; the clerk declared it passed after receiving the constitutional majority.

- House Bill 22 69 (Oregon State Capitol Foundation): Representative Lewis explained statutory changes to the Oregon State Capitol Foundation (including clarifying appointment processes, adjusting audit frequency, and allowing the legislative administrator to solicit gifts). The bill passed on third reading and was…