OCA Watching Short Legislative Session Very Closely

The 2022 Oregon legislative session got underway Tuesday. And while the short session typically focuses on budget issues, that does not prohibit legislation that can, and will, have a deep impact on the state’s farming community. For the Oregon Cattlemen’s Association, there are three pieces of legislation they will watch closely in the next month. The OCA’s Tammy Dennee says, like everyone else in Oregon Ag, they will keep a close eye on efforts to remove the Ag overtime exemption.

“Calves are not born in a 40-hour clock, they also do not need tending to as far as feed, and vet work in a 40-hour window.  So, for our workers, we really believe that there is a path forward for an exemption for the livestock industry and we’re working from that aspect.”

Dennee noted at this point, other important pieces of legislation they will watch include the Private Forest Accord and the Wolf Compensation Fund. But she pointed out other pieces of legislation could come up, changing priorities and focus between now and early March.

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