BOLI wins $22 million infusion, aims to clear intake backlogs by 2027 and investigations by 2029

The Bureau of Labor and Industries told the Senate Interim Committee on Labor and Business on Sept. 30 that the 2025 legislative package provides roughly $22 million and nearly 50 full‑time equivalents to rebuild enforcement capacity, implement a case-management system and reduce longstanding backlogs.

"This budget reflects an additional $22,000,000 investment or an increase of nearly 50 FTE at the bureau," Josh Nasby said. He said the funding includes a roughly $15 million one‑time transfer from the workers' benefit fund restricted across two biennia and that BOLI has already hired 15 of the new positions with 19 active recruitments underway.

Nasby said the bureau has cut intake backlogs in its wage-and-hour division roughly in half — from about 4,000 to 2,000 — but acknowledged investigative capacity still lags. He announced that, starting Oct. 1, the bureau will eliminate the salary threshold on wage claims so Oregonians at any income level may receive an investigation of alleged unpaid wages.

On projected timelines, Nasby said the bureau aims to clear intake backlogs in key divisions by mid‑2027 and investigative backlogs in wage‑and‑hour by mid‑2029. He warned the infusion is temporary and that backlogs could reemerge after the one‑time transfer sunsets unless a sustainable funding solution is found.

Committee members asked whether investigations are performed internally or outsourced; Nasby said nearly all investigations are handled internally. He also said the bureau expects to dispose of roughly 400–500 civil‑rights cases annually because of capacity constraints unless additional funding is secured.

The presentation closed with Nasby urging the committee to continue working on long‑term funding options — including fines retention, fee adjustments or permanent allocations from the workers' benefit fund — to prevent backlogs from returning.