House committee advances amended bill making owners, contractors jointly liable for some unpaid construction wages

The House Committee on Labor and Workplace Standards voted Monday to advance Senate Bill 426 A as amended, a measure that would allow civil actions for unpaid wages to name owners and direct contractors as jointly and severally liable for unpaid wages and fringe benefit contributions for certain construction work performed on or after Jan. 1, 2026.

The measure establishes a 21-calendar-day cure period after a written notice of alleged violation is delivered by first-class certified mail, creates a two-year statute of limitations for unpaid wage or fringe-benefit claims, and allows an employee, an authorized third-party representative, or the Oregon Department of Justice to bring a civil action seeking wages, benefits, interest, penalties, attorney fees and costs. Committee staff Erin summarized the bill and amendments for the record.

The committee adopted the A22 amendment, which clarified and narrowed the definition of "direct contractor" and created exemptions for construction, reconstruction, alteration, maintenance, moving or demolition of buildings or improvements on real property used as the owner's principal residence or real property consisting of five or fewer residential or commercial units on a single tract. Erin, committee staff, told members the A22 amendment also adjusted the definition of…