Rep. Ken Helm introduces bill asking state to study pay for members of certain boards and commissions

Rep. Ken Helm told the House Committee on Emergency Management, General Government and Veterans on Feb. 11, 2025, he sponsored House Bill 2,987 to begin a statewide conversation about compensation for members of certain state boards and commissions, and asked the Department of Administrative Services to prepare a report on the subject.

“Some of our commissions are very, very small. They have specific jobs in specific areas,” Rep. Helm said, arguing that boards that oversee technically complex or time-consuming matters can present a barrier to participation for people who cannot afford the unpaid time. He cited commissions such as the Fish and Wildlife Commission, the Environmental Quality Commission and the Water Resources Commission as examples where members must process large volumes of technical material and travel long distances for meetings.

LPRO staff summarized the bill for the committee: HB 2,987 “requires the Department of Administrative Services submit a report regarding compensation for members of state boards and commissions to the legislative assembly no later than 09/15/2026” and includes a repeal date of Jan. 2, 2027. The committee did not vote on the bill during the hearing.

Dr. Leslie King, identified herself as a commissioner on the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife and testified in support of the bill’s intent. King said she spoke personally rather than for the full ODFW commission. Drawing on her experience as a medical doctor and military veteran, she said that many commission roles now demand sustained, specialized attention and that relying on volunteerism can limit participation to retirees or those with independent means. King warned of “burnout” on commissions that require frequent meetings and heavy workloads; she said the ODFW commission has at least nine meetings per year and sometimes more.

King referenced an organizational review of the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, reading one recommendation aloud: “the sheer size and scope of commission responsibilities represent an unmanageable overall body of work for a group of volunteers to handle,” and said she favors comprehensive reforms rather than abolishing commissions or maintaining the status quo.

Rep. Helm and King also raised equity and recruitment concerns: if commissions remain unpaid, they may underrepresent younger and working-age professionals who cannot afford lengthy unpaid service. Helm noted that some specialized commissions—such as the Public Utilities Commission—receive dedicated revenue streams that permit full-time compensation for commissioners, while many other commissions do not.

The committee took no formal action at the public hearing; the bill will remain before the committee for further consideration. No vote totals or amendments were recorded during the Feb. 11 public hearing.