The Voice and Shield of Oregon’s Auto Dealers
Member Dealers,
It’s been a busy year. The 2025 legislative session was one of the most chaotic in recent memory, with more than 3,300 bills introduced—many with the potential to make running a business in Oregon more difficult.
The good news: OVDA and our partners were there at every step. We testified, we negotiated, and we worked with legislators and allied associations to stop harmful bills and reshape others into workable laws. Without this joint effort, dealers would be facing impossible mandates, increased liability, and higher costs across the board.
This is your mid-year roundup, a reminder that when challenges come to Oregon’s dealers stand together.
Key Legislative Battles: What Passed, What Didn’t, and Why It Matters
HB 3178 – Financing Approval Shrinks What it does: Shortens the financing approval window from 14 to 10 days. If financing fails, dealers must either fund the deal themselves or void it within 2 days and return deposits, vehicles, or trade-ins. Selling a trade-in before funding? That’s now a direct liability. OVDA’s Role: We worked with other associations and legislators to turn a trial-lawyer bill into a workable law. Status: Passed (Chapter 81). Effective: January 1, 2026.
HB 2232 – ATV Oversight Shifted What it does: Moves ATV equipment and noise oversight from DMV/DEQ to Oregon Parks & Recreation. OVDA’s Role: Neutral but engaged—we ensured this shift didn’t spill into dealer operations. Status: Passed with emergency clause. Effective: March 19, 2025.
HB 2660 – RV Trip Permits Extended What it does: Extends out-of-state RV buyer trip permits from 10 to 30 days. OVDA’s Role: We advocated for this change alongside RV dealers, expanding flexibility and helping capture more out-of-state business. Status: Passed (Chapter 55). Effective: January 1, 2026.
HB 3119 – Advanced Clean Trucks Delay What it did: Proposed delaying Oregon’s adoption of California’s Advanced Clean Trucks rule until 2027. OVDA’s Role: We supported the coalition pushing for this delay. Oregon’s automatic tie to CARB remains a serious concern, and we will continue efforts in this area. Status: Died.
HB 3177 – Recall Repair Mandate What it did: Would have required dealers to repair every recall before advertising or selling a used vehicle. OVDA’s Role: In coalition, we strongly opposed this costly and impractical mandate. Status: Died.
SB 840 – Omnibus DMV Bill What it does: Requires NMVTIS title history check before sale. Allows temporary registration without DEQ compliance (with buyer disclosure). Bond increase proposals were removed—dealer bond levels remain the same. OVDA’s Role: We worked closely with legislative partners to remove damaging provisions while keeping reforms manageable. Status: Passed (Chapter 415). Effective: January 1, 2026.
SB 916 – Unemployment Benefits for Strikers What it does: Allows striking workers to qualify for unemployment after 2 weeks (capped at 10 weeks), with repayment required if back pay is awarded. OVDA’s Role: OVDA joined with business coalitions in opposition, warning about payroll tax pressures and prolonged strikes. Status: Passed. Effective: January 1, 2026.
HB 2692 – Rulemaking Reform What it did: Required agencies to apply consistent, transparent standards in rulemaking with small business impacts clearly addressed. OVDA’s Role: We strongly supported this effort to bring stability and fairness. Status: Died.
HB 3062 – Sensitive-Use Land-Use Buffers What it did: Proposed large buffer zones around “sensitive uses,” which would have stifled industrial and fuel-related projects. OVDA’s Role: Opposed alongside coalition partners. Status: Died.
HB 2957 – BOLI Claim Timelines What it does: Bars employers from forcing employees to waive or shorten timelines for discrimination claims and standardizes lawsuit timelines after BOLI action. OVDA’s Role: Supported as a step toward consistency and predictability in employment
law.
Status: Passed (Chapter 379). Effective: June 24, 2025.
At a Glance: 2025 Legislative Results
Bill Outcome Effective Date
HB 3178 Passed Jan 1, 2026
HB 2232 Passed Mar 19, 2025
HB 2660 Passed Jan 1, 2026
HB 3119 Died –
HB 3177 Died –
SB 840 Passed Jan 1, 2026
SB 916 Passed Jan 1, 2026
HB 2692 Died –
HB 3062 Died –
HB 2957 Passed Jun 24, 2025
Why This Matters
Thanks to OVDA and our coalition partners, Oregon’s dealers avoided a blanket recall repair mandate, costly and unworkable financing timelines, expanded liability traps and bond cost hikes, and new land-use restrictions threatening dealership operations. Instead, we delivered practical reforms on titles and registrations, protection against unreasonable mandates, and a unified business voice in Salem.
Final Word
Oregon’s legislators continue to introduce bills that affect how you do business—often without input from those who understand the industry best. That’s where we step in. By partnering with dozens of associations and business coalitions, OVDA ensures that your expertise is heard, and your interests are protected. Every session is a fight. Every year brings new challenges. And every win comes from collective effort. If you haven’t yet renewed or joined, now is the time. Together, we safeguard the health and stability of Oregon’s dealer community—and the profitability of your business.
Get ready folks. There is another massive vote coming soon. This is the one that I targets the payroll tax, fuel tax, per mile for EV’s and so much more. The cost of doing business and living in Oregon is already punitive. These tax increases are far more detrimental than the alleged positive impacts.
Read the fine print. Read between the lines. Get educated, get involved, and help support us as we fight for your business, your right to do business, and your right to be profitable.
A few friendly reminders:
– OVDA continues to partner with the Oregon DMV to ensure further transparency, and common-sense applications of fees, fines, sanctions, suspensions and even revocations.
– If an inspector reaches out for an annual audit remember that if you are unavailable, please let the investigator know, they can and should reschedule it to accommodate your schedule.
– However, for a complaint investigation are not obligated to schedule with your, however, their scope must stay on target. If they request documents outside of scope, you are not required to present them without a separate appointment; they are only required for the annual audit or upon request with notice. The only reason they should arrive unannounced We continue to partner with the DMV to streamline and provide further transparency and consistency with these audits and investigations.