The controversial farm work bill clears a critical Oregon legislative committee on a party-line vote.
A bill that would end Oregon's agricultural overtime exemption will be voted on by the full House and Senate after passing a final legislative committee.
The Joint Committee on Farm Worker Overtime approved House Bill 4002 in a 6-4 party line vote on Thursday, Feb. 24, after updating it with a new multi-tiered tax credit system for farmers.
"I truly believe it was the best approach we could get," said Rep. Paul Holvey, D-Eugene, the committee's co-chair. "I think we all want the best thing for people."
The bill was "well-vetted" and lawmakers tried to accommodate the concerns of farmers while ensuring "a better and more fair" wage system for farm workers, he said.
Proponents of HB 4002 argued that farm workers shouldn't be unfairly excluded from overtime wages afforded to other employees.
Many decried the agricultural exemption as a racist relic that violated the constitutional guarantee of equal protection under the law.
However, critics countered that farmers can't afford higher labor costs and will likely limit weekly work schedules, harming their businesses as well as employees.
"Are we intending for them to get a second job if they're capped?" asked Rep. Shelly Boshart-Davis, R-Albany. "Working 30 hours for one employer and 30 hours for another employer is less healthy."
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