Oregon

Oregon Bill Combines Pay Transparency And Fair Chance Hiring

Published

1 year ago

March 28, 2025

Oregon Bill Combines Pay Transparency And Fair Chance Hiring

Oregon’s HB 2746 reflects a broader legislative trend: the convergence of pay equity, fair chance … More hiring, and anti-discrimination measures into integrated compliance frameworks.

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You’ve posted a job, screened a few resumes, and started your first interview with a promising candidate. Before discussing compensation, you ask a seemingly simple question: “What did you make in your last role?” Under Oregon law, that question is already off-limits. A new bill under consideration would extend these rules further—and change how employers navigate not just compensation conversations, but also criminal background checks and job postings.

House Bill 2746, introduced during Oregon’s 2025 legislative session, proposes a sweeping update to state employment regulations by combining three interrelated policies—pay transparency, salary history restrictions, and fair chance hiring practices—into a single compliance framework. This approach reflects a broader national trend to address systemic barriers to employment through unified legislation rather than isolated reforms.

Compensation Disclosure and Pay Transparency

At the heart of HB 2746 is a proposal to mandate proactive compensation disclosures. If passed, the bill would require employers and employment agencies to include wage or wage range information, a general description of benefits, and any other compensation in all job postings. This requirement would apply not only to external advertisements, but also to internal opportunities related to promotions and transfers.

In addition to postings, the bill would require employers to provide the same compensation information:

To job applicants upon request and before any compensation discussion or offer;
To employees at the time of hire, transfer, or promotion;
And once per calendar year, if requested.

These requirements would apply to any position that could be performed in whole or in part within Oregon—including remote or hybrid roles.

This marks a significant shift. While some states—such as California, ColoradoNew York, and New York—have already adopted similar requirements, Oregon currently has no statewide pay transparency mandate. HB 2746 would place Oregon among a growing number of jurisdictions emphasizing compensation clarity to help reduce wage disparities and foster transparency in hiring.

Salary History Inquiries: Expanded Restrictions and Clarified Boundaries

Oregon law already prohibits employers from requesting salary history before making a job offer that includes a pay amount. HB 2746 does not change the core restriction but expands its reach to include employment agencies, which are currently outside the scope of the statute.

The bill preserves a key nuance that’s important for employers to understand: while it prohibits asking about past pay, it does not prevent employers from asking about salary expectations. Employers may still ask questions such as:

“What are your compensation expectations for this role?”

However, questions that solicit information about previous wages remain impermissible unless the candidate voluntarily discloses that information after an offer is made, and the employer receives written authorization to verify it.

This clarification can help employers strike a balance between compensation strategy and compliance as they assess candidate fit within established salary bands.

HB 2746 mandates proactive compensation disclosures.

Alonzo Martinez

Criminal History Inquiries: Reinforcing Fair Chance Hiring

HB 2746 also revisits Oregon’s existing “ban-the-box” law, which prohibits employers from inquiring into an applicant’s criminal history prior to an initial interview—or before a conditional offer, if no interview occurs. The bill retains that timing restriction and explicitly extends it to employment agencies, ensuring that recruiters and staffing partners adhere to the same standards as direct employers.

The bill outlines specific exceptions for roles where background checks are required by federal, state, or local law, or where the employer operates in law enforcement or the criminal justice system.

Notably, the bill does not incorporate elements of Portland’s Fair Chance Ordinance, such as the requirement to conduct individualized assessments or provide written notice if an offer is rescinded due to a candidate’s criminal record. However, HB 2746 does create a statewide baseline that would standardize compliance expectations for employment agencies across Oregon.

HB 2746 expands on Oregon’s existing “ban-the-box” law.

Alonzo Martinez

Implications for Employers

If passed, HB 2746 would affect multiple facets of hiring and talent management, particularly for organizations with multistate operations, remote roles, or third-party recruiting partnerships.

Employers and employment agencies would need to:

Review and update job postings to ensure wage ranges and benefits are clearly disclosed;
Confirm interview guides exclude questions related to salary history, while safely allowing discussions about expectations;
Adjust the timing of criminal background checks to align with interview or offer stages;
Train recruiters, hiring managers, and HR professionals on the new requirements.

Employers would also be required to:

Retain compensation-related records—including wage ranges and wage history—for the duration of employment and two years after separation.

Importantly, HB 2746 does not contain a preemption clause, meaning local ordinances like Portland’s Fair Chance Ordinance would continue to apply. Employers operating in or hiring for roles based in Portland must still comply with more restrictive local requirements, such as conducting individualized assessments and providing written notice when adverse action is taken based on criminal history.

Preparing for a Potential Shift

HB 2746 reflects a broader legislative trend: the convergence of pay equity, fair chance hiring, and anti-discrimination measures into integrated compliance frameworks. While the bill remains under consideration, it signals where employment regulation is heading—not just in Oregon, but nationwide.

Employers who proactively evaluate their hiring processes, compensation disclosures, and background screening practices will be better prepared to adapt should the bill become law. Those who wait may find themselves navigating compliance after the fact.

As regulations continue to evolve, employers may need to ask not just whether their hiring practices are competitive—but whether they’re compliant, equitable, and ready for what’s next.

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Oregon

Iconic Cannon Beach Sandcastle Contest returns on Oregon Coast

Published

45 minutes ago

June 19, 2026

Press Room

Iconic Cannon Beach Sandcastle Contest returns on Oregon Coast

The beloved Cannon Beach Sandcastle Contest returns for a series of events from June 19 to June 21.

In 1964, this event was founded by four locals to lift community spirits after a tsunami washed out the Elk Creek Bridge. Now, the event draws thousands of tourists and is recognized as the first and oldest sandcastle contest in Oregon.

Registration for the contest is available online through the Cannon Beach events site.

To start off the weekend, contestants can pickup their competition materials from 10 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. on June 19.

The same day, Bill Rose will provide a live sandcastle demonstration on the beach off Second Street from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Then, the kickoff celebration will take place at Steidel Community Hall from 5 to 7:30 p.m.

Competition day starts 8:30 a.m. on June 20 when the beach opens for parking. During the time of the contest, parking is allowed in every public parking lot, on the beach and the sides of the street.

The contest will be on the beach west of Ocean Avenue near Madison Street.

The artists can begin crafting their masterpieces at 9 a.m. when the sandcastle building starts. Only natural materials native to the beach can be used.

Final judging takes place at 2 p.m. Judges are looking for team effort, enthusiasm, composition, detail, adherence to the rules and final appearance.

Spectators and competitors can celebrate from 7 to 10 p.m. with s’mores and music on the beach at the west end of Second Street. There is free admission for the party.

For those looking to get their steps in, the weekend wraps up with the Singing Sands 5K Fun Run at 9 a.m. June 21.

Registration for the run is on the beach at the Tolovana Wayside entrance at 8 a.m.

The Cannon Beach Chamber of Commerce and Information Center is available to answer any questions at 503-436-2623.

Makenzie Stamets is an outdoor intern at the Statesman Journal. She can be reached at mstamets@statesmanjournal.com or on X at @MakenzieStamets.

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Oregon

Oregon Lottery Pick 4 results for June 18

Published

11 hours ago

June 19, 2026

Press Room

The Oregon Lottery offers several draw games for those aiming to win big.

Here’s a look at June 18, 2026, results for each game:

Winning Pick 4 numbers from June 18 drawing

1PM: 2-7-1-6

4PM: 4-7-3-2

7PM: 3-7-5-1

10PM: 2-1-7-7

Check Pick 4 payouts and previous drawings here.

Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results

When are the Oregon Lottery drawings held?

Powerball: 7:59 p.m. on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
Mega Millions: 7:59 p.m. on Tuesday and Friday.
Pick 4: 1 p.m., 4 p.m., 7 p.m. and 10 p.m. daily.
Win for Life: 7:30 p.m. on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
Megabucks: 7:29 p.m. on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.

This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by an Oregon editor. You can send feedback using this form.

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Oregon

Oregon man sentenced to 77 months in prison after pleading guilty to attempted kidnapping

Published

21 hours ago

June 18, 2026

Press Room

Oregon man sentenced to 77 months in prison after pleading guilty to attempted kidnapping

CORVALLIS, Ore. — A Benton County man has been sentenced to more than six years in prison after prosecutors say he held his brother at knifepoint inside their family home, a confrontation that ended with police shooting the wrong person as the victim tried to escape, the Benton County District Attorney’s office said in a media release.

On Thursday, June 18, John Dakota Lyon pleaded guilty to Attempted Kidnapping in the Second Degree, Unlawful Use of a Weapon, and Coercion, according to a news release from the Benton County District Attorney. He was sentenced to a total of 77 months in prison and two years of post-prison supervision.

The case stems from the morning of Jan. 6, when Maverick Lyon was home visiting his parents during winter break from college. Prosecutors said Dakota Lyon, his brother, was living at the home after recently being released from the Department of Corrections.

In February 2023, Dakota Lyon was sentenced to 58 months in prison for convictions of Attempted Assault in the First Degree and Unlawful Use of a Weapon, the release said.

On Jan. 6, prosecutors said Dakota Lyon accused Maverick Lyon of conspiring with their father to do harm to him. Dakota Lyon armed himself with a large kitchen knife and, while holding onto Maverick Lyon’s shirt, pulled him throughout the house, implying he would harm him with the knife, according to the district attorney’s office. Despite Maverick Lyon’s pleadings, prosecutors said Dakota Lyon refused to release him or put the knife down.

Prosecutors said Maverick Lyon convinced Dakota Lyon to allow him to grab his own kitchen knife under the guise that they would leave the residence to confront their father together. Their father, who saw and heard what was happening through a surveillance system set up at the home, called 911 to report the crime, the release said.

Multiple Albany Police Department officers arrived and were able to see two men through a back door window, including one with a knife, according to the district attorney’s office. After a brief conversation between officers and the men, prosecutors said Maverick Lyon broke free and rushed out the back door.

The district attorney’s office said Maverick Lyon still had a knife in his hand as he began to break the plane of the door, and officers were standing near the door. Prosecutors said Maverick Lyon began dropping the knife, but officers, fearing for their lives and the lives of other officers, fired their weapons. Maverick Lyon was struck several times.

An earlier Officer Involve Shooting review by the Benton County District Attorney’s Office found the officers’ use of force was justified, the release said.

Officers rendered first aid, and while being treated, Maverick Lyon said, “You shot the wrong guy,” according to the district attorney’s office.

Dakota Lyon was taken into custody without further incident, and the knife he was believed to have been possessing was located near him, prosecutors said. He has been in custody since Jan. 6.

After surgery and a lengthy recovery period, Maverick Lyon “appears to be doing well,” the release said.

The district attorney’s office said methamphetamine may have played a role in Dakota Lyon’s actions. A urine sample taken from him that day tested positive for methamphetamine, and he was known to use methamphetamine in the past and was believed by those close to him to have recently begun using methamphetamine again, according to the release.

“The tragic shooting was a direct result of Dakota Lyon’s actions. As Dakota marched Maverick around the house at knife point, Maverick feared for his life and wanted nothing more but to escape his drug crazed older brother. But for Dakota’s actions, police would not have been called, Maverick would not be a victim of kidnapping, unlawful use of a weapon, and coercion, and the police would not have shot Maverick,” Chief DDA Amie Matusko, who prosecuted the case, said in the release.

At sentencing, Dakota Lyon’s attorney, Christian Strahl, acknowledged Dakota Lyon’s responsibility in Maverick Lyon’s shooting, the release said. Strahl indicated the remorse Dakota Lyon felt, saying Dakota Lyon wished he could have taken the bullets instead of Maverick, according to prosecutors.

“While this sentiment is appreciated, true accountability would be remorse in having raised a knife towards his brother and regret that the lives of Maverick and the family are forever changed,” Matusko said.

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