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Subcommittee backs raising Oregon Racing Commission license fee caps to shore up revenue
Summary
Senate Bill 853, which raises statutory license-fee caps for the Oregon Racing Commission and increases hub fees, was moved to the Ways and Means Full Committee with a do-pass recommendation to generate estimated additional revenue for the 2025–27 biennium.
May 22 — The Transportation and Economic Development Subcommittee voted to refer Senate Bill 8 53 to the full Ways and Means Committee with a do-pass recommendation. The bill raises the statutory cap on individual license fees and increases multi‑jurisdictional wagering hub fees for the Oregon Racing Commission.
LFO staff told the committee that SB 853 would raise the cap on individual license fees from $30 to $150 per year and increase the daily hub fee from $200 to $225. The Commission plans to implement a tiered two‑year license structure with fees ranging from $75 to $175, which LFO estimated would generate about $270,200 in additional revenue for the 2025–27 biennium. LFO recommended moving the bill to Ways and Means Full Committee to support the agency’s current service level.
Co Chair Gomberg moved the bill to the full committee with a do‑pass recommendation; the motion passed on a voice/roll-call vote. Committee members volunteered carriers for the bill’s passage in Ways and Means: Representative Watanabe and Senator Niran Mislan agreed to carry the bill for their respective chambers.
No statutory text was enacted at the work session; the committee’s action was a referral with a recommendation. Committee members noted that current Oregon fees have not been updated in 24 years and are below regional levels, and LFO staff said future increases could be considered to further align with neighboring states.
