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Committee hears support for licensing earned-wage-access providers; industry backs consumer protections
Summary
During a public hearing on Senate Bill 481 the committee heard mostly pro‑licensing testimony from payroll and earned-wage-access (EWA) providers, advocacy groups and industry associations; the bill would require licenses for EWA services and sets a licensing operative date of Jan. 1, 2026.
The Senate Committee on Labor and Business on Thursday heard testimony supporting Senate Bill 481, which would prohibit a person from providing earned-wage-access (EWA) services in Oregon unless the person obtains a license, with exceptions spelled out in the bill.
Supporters called for a licensing framework that protects workers while preserving access to a product they described as a lower-cost alternative to payday loans and overdrafts. The bill’s licensing requirement becomes operative on Jan. 1, 2026; the bill takes effect on the 91st day after adjournment.
Why it matters: EWA services let employees access wages they have already earned before their scheduled payday. Proponents urged oversight tailored to the…
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