Senate approves multiple agency budget and fee measures, including aviation and dental boards

The Oregon Senate on May 20 approved a series of agency budget bills and a fee ratification measure on third reading, voting separately on each departmental budget as members of the Senate considered the joint committee on ways and means’ recommendations.

Key measures and floor presentations included:

- Senate Bill 5504 (Oregon Department of Aviation): Senator Brian Starr said the department’s approved budget is $38,963,600 with 15 positions (15 FTE), a 26.1% increase over current service level. The increase phases in $8 million for airport improvement projects using FAA grants and aircraft registration fee revenue. The Senate declared the bill passed by constitutional majority.

- Senate Bill 5507 (State Board of Chiropractic Examiners): Senator Weber presented a $2,475,586 other-funds budget and five positions. The budget assumed a 30% fee increase to most licensing and renewal fees and eliminated an investigator position due to revenue shortfalls; the joint committee recommended approval. The measure passed on final reading.

- Senate Bill 5508 (Columbia River Gorge Commission): Senator Anderson said the commission’s total budget for shared expenses between Oregon and Washington is $3,082,000; Oregon’s share in the session recommendation was $1,561,000 general fund (a decrease from the current service level). The joint ways and means recommendation was adopted and the bill passed.

- Senate Bill 5512 (Oregon Board of Dentistry): Senator Solman presented a $4,690,136 other-funds budget and 7 FTE, a decrease from current service level; revenue shortfalls prompted elimination of a part-time investigator and a temporary increase in professional services. The bill was passed on third reading.

- Senate Bill 5532 (Mental health licensing boards): Senator Weber said the combined boards’ recommended budget is $7,196,001 other funds with 17 positions to address workload increases, including two new permanent positions. A budget note directs the agency to report in the 2026 session on a licensing system plan. The bill passed.

- Senate Bill 5540 (State Board of Tax Practitioners): Senator Gorsek presented a $1,348,517 other-funds budget with two positions, a 7% increase over current service level, including a one-time $87,805 expenditure for exam proctoring. The bill passed.

- Senate Bill 5544 (ratification of Board of Chiropractic Examiners fee changes): Senator Frederick said the board adopted consecutive fee increases (20% in Aug 2023 and 30% in Sept 2024) and other fee changes, projected to generate $636,898 in additional revenue for the 2025–27 biennium. The joint committee recommended approval and the Senate passed the bill.

Several presentations noted revenue shortfalls in licensing boards that prompted fee increases and temporary reliance on contractor investigators or professional services. Roll-call tallies were recorded in the journal for each measure.

What this means: The bills provide approved operating budgets and, in some cases, authorize one-time spending and fee changes to stabilize regulatory boards’ finances. Several presenters warned boards may need future fee adjustments if licensee counts do not increase.