Legislative News

Stay engaged and read the latest political news to learn about important issues that have an impact on private property rights and housing attainability.

SBA Out of Funds

April 16, 2020

As of 8:00 am on April 16, 2020 the SBA EIDL and PPP programs are out of funds and not taking applications until Congress appropriates more funding, see details here.  The SBA says that EIDL applications that were already submitted will be processed on a first come, first served basis.  If you had already ...

Legislative Update for Oregon Realtors® – 2/26/2020

February 26, 2020

In the face of significant public opposition, Senate Democrats advanced the highly-controversial cap and trade bill with a parliamentary move by the Senate President to negate the no vote of fellow Democrat, Senator Betsy Johnson. Senate Republicans repeatedly stated their intent to deny a quorum without a referral to the voters of Oregon in November. Once ...

Legislative Update – February 14, 2020

February 21, 2020

HJR 203: Real Estate Transfer Tax Hearing Respond to OAR Call for Action

Oregonians resoundingly passed Measure 79 in 2012, amending the Oregon Constitution to prevent taxes on the sale or transfer of real estate property. Oregonians already pay significant taxes on their homes in the form of property taxes and did not feel it ...

Stop the Double Tax on Property in Oregon!

February 12, 2020

Feb. 10, 2020- Oregonians resoundingly passed Measure 79 in 2012, amending the Oregon Constitution to prevent taxes on the sale or transfer of real estate property. Oregonians already pay significant taxes on their homes in the form of property taxes and did not feel it was fair to be taxed again upon the sale or ...

2020 Legislative Forecast

January 30, 2020

Salem, Ore. – January 31, 2020 Legislative Forecast

The “short” 35-day legislative session begins on Monday, February 3, 2020 and will be fast and furious.  The legislature used to only meet in odd-numbered year in “long” sessions.  The “short” even-numbered year sessions were added a decade ago and pitched as being necessary for “housekeeping” and ...

Economic Summit Draws 400 Attendees

January 17, 2020

Salem, Ore., January 17, 2020 – The first-annual Oregon Housing Economic Summit (“Summit”), presented by the Oregon Home Builders Association, the Oregon Bankers Association and the Oregon Association of REALTORS® was held yesterday in Salem. The event drew over 400 participants representing the homebuilding, banking and real estate industries, as well as legislators and state and ...

Corporate Activity Goes Into Effect January 1, 2020

December 12, 2019

Some REALTORS® and brokerages have recently received a letter from the Oregon Department of Revenue reminding them that Oregon’s new Corporate Activity Tax goes into effect January 1, 2020. Here is what you need to know about the tax:

 Only applies to sales/revenue generated in Oregon Applies to all business types (including independent contractors and ...

HB 2001 and HB 2003: Helpful Resources and Update on Rule-making

November 12, 2019

In the 2019 legislative session, OAR supported two pieces of legislation aimed at increasing housing supply across Oregon: HB 2001 and HB 2003. HB 2001 requires cities with more than 25,000 people to allow for townhomes, duplexes, triplexes, quadplexes and cottage clusters on land zone for single-family use beginning in 2022, and requires cities with 10,000-25,000 people ...

Industry Leaders Partner for First-Annual Oregon Housing Economic Summit

November 5, 2019

Salem, Ore., November 5, 2019 – Associations representing Oregon’shome builders, bankers and REALTORS®are partnering for the first-ever Oregon Housing Economic Summit (“Summit”), taking place January 16, 2020 in Salem. The event brings leading housing industry experts, economists, and Oregon legislators together to discuss the state’s housing and economic environment and barriers facing the industry.

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Opportunity Zone Forum

November 4, 2019

Opportunity Zones were created by the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017. Investments in Opportunity Zones offer substantial tax advantages for investors while helping to transform low-income communities. Over 300 million dollars have already been invested in Oregon’s Opportunity Zones. Are you and your clients ready to learn how to take advantage of this new opportunity?

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