Lawmakers and farmers urge rejection of proposed agricultural labor board, warn of costs and farm closures

Several representatives used the remonstrance period on the House floor to urge opposition to House Bill 25 48, a proposal that would alter agricultural labor rules and create a state-level board or oversight structure affecting farm employment.

Representative Tom Helfrich opened the remonstrance sequence and said he rose "to oppose House Bill 25 48 on behalf of our agricultural community in The Dalles and Hood River," reading testimony from affected farmers. Helfrich cited a claim that Oregon farm labor costs are among the nation’s highest at $19.82 per hour and warned the bill "adds costs that could close farms, cut jobs, and deepen a crisis."

Multiple colleagues read letters and testimony from farmers and farm operators who said the bill would transfer decision-making to unelected bureaucrats, increase litigation risk, and make seasonal and variable farm labor untenable. Representative Greg Smith moved adjournment later in the day, but the remonstrances included sustained floor remarks…