Restaurant and Hotel Industry Members Honored by Oregon Restaurant & Lodging Association

[Wilsonville, OR] – The Oregon Restaurant & Lodging Association (ORLA) will honor five members of Oregon’s foodservice and lodging industry as Oregon Hospitality Award recipients later this month. Demetrio De La O Rendon (Lakeshore Inn) was named Employee of the Year, Crystal Brenneman (Dixie Tavern) was named Team Leader of the Year, Taran Patel (A-1 Hospitality) was named Lodging Operator of the Year, and Lisa Schroeder (Mother’s Bistro & Bar) was named Restaurateur of the Year. Risk Strategies Company | Fournier Group is recognized as ORLA’s Allied Partner of the Year.

​“Oregon’s hospitality industry is filled with remarkable, passionate people who go above and beyond on a daily basis because they love what they do,” says Jason Brandt, President and CEO of the Oregon Restaurant & Lodging Association. “These recipients represent not only some of our industry’s most dedicated team members and advocates, but also the exemplary service that sets the high standard for the entire industry to achieve.”
 
Nominated by their peers, these award recipients will be recognized in front of an expected 250 delegates at the ORLA Hospitality Conference September 30–October 2, held at the Ashland Hills Hotel & Suites in Ashland, Oregon. These statewide awards recognize the outstanding contributions of individuals and businesses serving the hospitality industry and communities throughout the state.

​Demetrio De La O Rendon has worked as the maintenance engineer for the Lakeshore Inn in Lake Oswego the past seven years. His reputation among coworkers as a hardworking and caring employee also transcends to guests who continually praise his work and compliment his helpful nature. There isn’t a task asked of him he isn’t willing to do and he is always first to offer assistance to coworkers and guests whenever he sees a need. With a humble nature, Demetrio is a “favorite coworker” among the entire team and always wears a smile on his face no matter how tough the day’s challenges have been.
 
As manager of the Dixie Tavern in Portland, Crystal Brenneman epitomizes what a dynamic team leader represents with her dedicated service-mentality, passion for hospitality, and guidance as a role model for her colleagues. Before she stepped into her manager role, Crystal learned every position at the tavern, including maintenance. Referred to as “the backbone of Dixie,” Crystal enjoys serving as the unofficial ambassador for the tavern, always making guests feel welcome with her patience and positive energy. Coworkers are galvanized with her daily mantra at the start of every shift, “It’s going to be a great night!” 
 
Taran Patel grew up in the hospitality industry, watching his parents grow their business from a 36-room motel to a premier hotel property management company with 12 properties in A-1 Hospitality Group's portfolio. Driven by the American Dream, he learned the meaning of hard work from a young age. Starting in operations and development, he helped cultivate the supportive company culture created by his parents. Under Taran’s guidance, the hotels not only provided needed support to their communities during the pandemic, they continued to stay open to ensure their team members were able to keep their jobs and support their families through difficult times. He is recognized by his colleagues as a hard-working and engaged industry operator. Taran's contributions extend beyond A-1 Hospitality, as he dedicates his time to several industry boards and organizations, including serving as NW Regional Director on the Board for the Asian American Hotel Owner Association (AAHOA).
 
Executive Chef and Owner of Mother’s Bistro & Bar, Lisa Schroeder has created a Portland institution, providing “better-than-authentic” renditions of traditional home-cooked dishes from recipes derived from real mothers in their own homes. Inspired by her own mother who was a hard-working single mom (and amazing in the kitchen), Lisa’s tenacity and passion for “Mother Food” helped her dream of opening Mother’s Bistro become reality. Lisa also extends a dedicated commitment to help her community by actively participating in charitable causes and civic engagement. Lisa was recently recognized as Oregon Small Business Person of the Year by the U.S. Small Business Administration.
 
Oregon’s hospitality industry is fortunate to have dedicated purveyors focused on providing the best products and services to help operators run a successful business. Risk Strategies Company | Fournier Group is one of those companies that stands out for their exceptional service and innovative contributions to the industry. Through a unique partnership, the association was able to launch the Hospitality Insurance Program (HIP), helping business owners navigate the insurance landscape and providing tools to help them take better control of their business. 
 
For more information on the ORLA Hospitality Awards, visit www.Oregonrla.org/nominate. To learn more or register for the Hospitality Conference, visit www.ORLAHospitalityConference.com. 

Small businesses across the country need thriving associations with competent professional staff who serve as intelligence officers for their respective industries. When the Oregon Restaurant & Lodging Association (ORLA) first came into existence back in 1932 (the two associations merged in 2010), it was clear a unified voice was needed to represent the needs of hospitality businesses across the state. Far too often, elected officials who in many cases serve in a volunteer civic capacity, have little time to become experts on all policy decisions crossing their desk. Imagine a world where elected officials had no organized industry voice to turn to while making policy decisions for their constituents. That world would be rife with unintended consequences and short-sighted decision making.

Although our mission has evolved subtly over time, ORLA remains focused on improving, protecting, and promoting over 10,000 foodservice and 2,500 lodging locations across Oregon. These operations remain in business even after Covid unleashed its ferocious blow on an industry reliant on in person experiences. When considering both openings and closures, we estimate Oregon lost a net of 750 restaurants because of the pandemic, a number much smaller than originally anticipated but still devastating to economic ecosystems across the state.

Of all our existing locations, ORLA currently has a little over 3,000 who have chosen voluntarily to join their statewide association in support of our mission. It is clear the secret is out on Oregon as our population continues to grow with its geographic position between California and Washington. The state benefits greatly from its high qualify of life and diverse topography. You would be hard pressed to find a state with mountain ranges, a world-famous coastline, high deserts, and vast river and lake systems highlighted by the Columbia Gorge. As the state’s population grows so do the opportunities for additional foodservice and lodging pursuits. We are fortunate to have a state association which continues to slowly grow in its size and scope with 16 full time professional staff dedicated to the work.

The hospitality industry here in Oregon is at a crossroads with a growing market of independent small operators determined to provide choice to their guests. The explosion of choice feels like the options we now have when turning on a television. Instead of a handful of channels, we have immediate access to hundreds in addition to what seems like a limitless supply of streaming content. The same dynamics are at play in the hospitality industry. On one hand, lodging brands have greatly expanded to provide more choice for the traveler. On the restaurant side, we continue to see innovative business models emerge including app-based ordering, ping pong bars, and a proliferation of food pods and mobile units. The world looks different when compared to the norm of decades past when the traditional family restaurant dinner was served by the restaurant owners and their staff. 

Online travel agencies (think Expedia and Booking.com) as well as third-party delivery services (like DoorDash and Uber Eats) are creating a highly advanced and complicated environment. Restaurant and lodging establishments have innumerable opportunities to partner with vendors and suppliers in their ultimate goal to make money and provide jobs to others. If an operator is too flippant and not committed to detail, it would be easy to launch a hospitality business without a means for sustaining it. Commission rates for Online Travel Agencies can be considerable for lodging operators and restaurants continue to reel from increasing labor and food costs on top of their own commission payments to third party delivery companies. Too few Americans realize that 95 cents of every dollar they spend in a restaurant goes back into the food, the people, and the place. When you look at the hospitality industry through that lens, one could argue it is one of the more altruistic pursuits an entrepreneur can undertake. Most industries would balk and run the other direction if presented with an average margin of 5% for all their hard work.

The challenges facing operators are real and its our job at ORLA to bring industry transparency to our many elected official relationships. We rely on engaged members to work with our staff to build meaningful, authentic connections with the individuals we elect to office. Without this interplay, there is no connective tissue between the operator struggling to hold onto their limited margin, and the politician looking to raise a new batch of money for their next passion project. Our primary focus at ORLA is building strong working relationships with decision makers in government. By bringing authenticity to the table we are able to lead initiatives to assist our industry in their recovery whether that includes launching legislation allowing a new element to restaurant business models like to-go cocktails, or navigating the legislative system to enact transformative unemployment insurance tax reform for employers. If industry operators need someone to have their back, its our job to be there.

Our expectations for the future center on continued growth and diversification. The Oregon Employment Department projects our industry to be the fastest growing sector through the year 2030. Business models continue to change as operators re-evaluate the labor costs they can afford. With generational change comes the emergence of new trends including the new norm where a customer may not have a server but can still leave a restaurant feeling fulfilled by the high-end food quality and overall experience. Lodging operations are also reinventing themselves with more customized attention to the facilitation of experiences as opposed to the transaction of connecting a guest with a room. We are also starting to see generational change relating to housekeeping services in the wake of climate change with many brands reevaluating protocols for housekeeping services based on the changing perspectives of guests.

Suffice to say a complicated world and a growing array of hospitality options has created an environment whereby the association may now be more relevant than it ever has been. It is our job at ORLA to keep our ear to the ground and stay on top of industry trends and intelligence. It is common for us to share knowledge directly impacting the way an operator makes decisions for their business. It is a true honor to be able to make a real difference in the lives of others. In the association world we have a responsibility to embrace the independence and choice being offered by our members while empowering them to take full advantage of the tools and resources made available to them through their industry associations.

Jason Brandt is the President & CEO of the Oregon Restaurant & Lodging Association. Brandt has served in the role since August 2015 and came to ORLA after serving as the CEO for the Salem Area Chamber of Commerce. Brandt was recently recognized as a recipient of a 40 Under 40 award by the Portland Business Journal for his work representing the hospitality industry during the Coronavirus pandemic.

This editorial was published in Business View Magazine August ​2023 (Volume 10, Issue 8)

​Legislative Session Recap / AAHOA Support for the Foundation / Fire Response Guide

Today is National Hotel Employee Day! Not just today, but every day throughout the year, we express our thanks to all hotel employees – they are the heart of the lodging industry! This year, National Hotel Employee Day comes as hotels across the nation are working to quickly fill nearly 100,000 open hotel jobs. There has never been a better time to join the hospitality industry – with hotels offering current and prospective employees near-historic wages, better benefits, and more flexibility than ever before. Share more about hotel career opportunities in your communities by visiting thehotelindustry.com.

2023 Oregon Legislative Session Recap – The Oregon Legislature adjourned its 160-day session on June 25, 2023. Throughout the session, ORLA’s Government Affairs team focused on several priority bills relating to Oregon's restaurant and lodging industry. View ORLA's recap on the many of the bills we engaged or monitored during the 2023 Oregon Legislative Session.

AAHOA Swings for Foundation Support – The Asian American Hotel Owners Association (AAHOA) held its Northwest Region Charity Golf Tournament on August 14 at the Reserve Vineyard & Golf Club. Since its inception, AAHOA has engaged with local communities by supporting charitable organizations that provide services ranging from education to humanitarian efforts. The Oregon Hospitality Foundation (OHF) was fortunate to be one of the four recipients of the funds raised from this annual tournament this year. We are grateful for the partnership with AAHOA and their shared focus on industry workforce development programs. To learn more about OHF activities, visit OregonRLA.org/workforce blog.
 
ORLA Editorial in National Publication – Earlier this year, Business View Magazine, on online source of news for executives, entrepreneurs, small business owners, and franchisees reached out to ORLA with a request to contribute to their restaurant series. This was an opportunity for ORLA to highlight some of the demographics of our industry, key topics, new developments in the industry, and our role as business advocates. Read ORLA CEO Jason Brandt’s editorial here on page 121: Associations of the Future Must Embrace Independence and Choice.

Best Practice Guide for Fire Response – Always Ready: Fire is the latest in a series of restaurant-specific guides designed to help restaurant owners and operators evaluate their risks and create a fire response plan. This new resource produced by the National Restaurant Association pulls best practices from official sources and restaurant operators including content on risk assessment, insurance, prevention, and communications. Download the guide from the Resource Library available at Restaurant.org. 

Chow Down for Vets! The Portland Kitchen Cabinet is working with Returning Veterans organization again to help engage restaurant operators to participate in the Chow Down for Vets event on November 11. Restaurants will agree to donate a portion of their sales to support local veterans!

By definition, a captive audience meeting is a mandatory meeting during working hours. Captive audience meetings are an important tool for employers to explain aspects and implications of unionization (and other issues) that might not be readily apparent to many workers. How these meetings are conducted will differ from workplace to workplace.

In 2009, the Oregon Legislature passed SB 519, prohibiting employers from taking adverse employment action against any employee who declines to attend a meeting or participate in communication concerning an employer's opinion about religious or political matters.

Employers should consider their options accordingly. The Council of State Restaurant Associations produced an issue brief that provides valuable considerations for employers. ORLA members can access this brief in the Resource Library by logging in to OregonRLA.org.

Not an ORLA member yet? Visit our Membership page or reach out the ORLA Regional Representative nearest you.

Payroll Tax Referral / Safety Summit / Charity Golf

Salem Payroll Tax Referral – Oregon Business & Industry (our state Chamber of Commerce) is leading an effort to refer a recent 5-4 payroll tax vote of the Salem City Council to the November ballot. This would tax anyone performing work within the Salem city limits at a rate of .814 percent. ORLA has been engaged in this effort through testimony and volunteer signature gathering for effected members within the Salem City limits. Thus far, over 4,000 signatures have been collected to get the payroll tax on the ballot for voter consideration with a goal of 6,000 by August 9 to allow room for collection errors. We haven’t seen a collection effort that has resulted in this many signatures so quickly and our friends at OBI deserve a lot of credit for their efforts. Engage in this effort by visiting letsalemvote.com.
 
Portland Hotel & Restaurant Safety Summit – Downtown Clean & Safe hosted a Portland Hotel and Restaurant Safety Summit at the Nines last week in partnership with ORLA. About 40-50 hospitality industry members were in attendance and armed with concerns and questions. Speakers represented the Portland Police Bureau, mayor’s office, DA’s office, and Multnomah County. Outcomes include the Portland Metro Chamber (formerly the Portland Business Alliance) and ORLA collaborating on drafting 5-6 specific “asks” from the business/hospitality industry that will be presented to city, county, and state leadership. Read more in our new Portland Advocacy Blog.

AAHOA Charity Golf Tournament – The Asian American Hotel Owners Association (AAHOA) is holding a Charity Golf Tournament coming up on August 14 at the Reserve Vineyard & Golf Club in Aloha. One of the four recipients of the funds raised is the Oregon Hospitality Foundation. If your are interested in supporting the charities and can participate on August 14 please visit the Player and Sponsor registration links. 

​Approximately 20% of all employment along the Oregon coast is in leisure and hospitality jobs, making this one of the largest employer groups in the region. This also makes the hospitality industry one of the most important economic drivers along the coast. 

The Oregon Restaurant & Lodging Association (ORLA) and the Oregon Hospitality Foundation are working with three workforce development boards covering the coast to create a Hospitality Industry Sector Partnership in order to support the industry’s workforce development needs. The proposed partnership aims to strengthen the industry by supporting businesses in understanding how to create an environment in which they become known as a great place to work with competitive pay and benefits, and simultaneously educating the public about the career opportunities available within the industry.

Read more about this effort in the project narrative that outlines the statement of need and projected outcomes.

In tandem to this effort, ORLA's President & CEO Jason Brandt will be joining the Statewide CTE Advisory Board, advocating for improved access to market-driven occupations in our school systems across the state. If you want to learn more about this or if you are interested in becoming more involved, reach out to Jason Brandt.

​Building Future Hospitality Leaders / Portland Summit / Whiskey Event / Heat Webinar

ProStart Promotional Video – ORLA and the Oregon Hospitality Foundation have a new promotional video for our ProStart program. We have important work ahead in supporting high school teachers who provide culinary arts and management training for high school students around the state. Our annual ProStart Championships and ProStart curriculum built for each school year provide great opportunities for students and educators to connect with industry operators. You can check out the video here which we’ll use to promote the program in the coming years.
 
Portland Hotel & Restaurant Safety Summit – ORLA in partnership with Downtown Portland Clean & Safe and the City of Portland is pleased to invite our Portland area hotels and restaurants to a “Hotel & Restaurant Safety Summit” Thursday, July 27th from 10 am to noon at The Nines Hotel, 525 SW Morrison Street, Portland, OR, 97204. The goal is to provide our hospitality industry with an overview of current and future public safety plans and strategies from the Portland Police Bureau, the City of Portland, and various private security partners and organizations. Safety for industry staff, patrons, and locations is an ongoing concern and this event will provide networking connections, security-related resources and information to strengthen many existing private-public safety and livability partnerships. To learn more and to RSVP please reach out to Makenzie Marineau on the ORLA staff who oversees Portland government affairs issues for the association. 

Whiskey Event Coming to Portland August 26 – ORLA's Swig & Savor, which offers whisk(e)y lovers an opportunity to try a curated list of beverages from distillers around the world, is back for its second year. The annual event will be Saturday, August 26 from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. at the Portland Marriott Downtown Waterfront in Portland, Oregon. Tickets are now available starting at $149 per person. The highlight of Swig & Savor is the opportunity to sample whisk(e)ys from top producers in the Northwest and beyond. This includes seven distilleries in Oregon and companies from nine other states and three countries. Distilleries will bring current releases as well as special bottles available only to VIPs. You can purchase tickets today at www.swigandsavor.com. 

Webinar on OR-OSHA Heat Rules – Over the past few months the Northwest Grocery Association team has been working with OR-OSHA and the Governor’s office in an attempt to get clarity about the ‘bakery’ exemption in the Oregon Heat Rules. As you may recall, this ‘exemption’ was meant to exclude temperatures generated from equipment (bakeries, manufacturing, commercial kitchens) from the Heat Rules (new training, mandatory breaks, water, shade etc). However, recent practices and positions by OR-OSHA have now essentially made this exemption moot. The rules took effect last June 15, 2022 and kick in when outside air temperatures reach 80 degrees.
 
In an effort to provide employers greater information and training, OR-OSHA has agreed to staff a webinar on the Heat Rules specific to “Hot Process.” They have also updated the FAQ and Fact Sheet. All employers are welcome to join this webinar, especially HR and Facilities Teams; get the link here.

Legislative Progress / ORLA Testimony / Power Outages / Mergers

Senate Activity Spurs Bill Passage - With the Oregon Senate officially back with a quorum to conduct business, there's been a flurry of activity at the Capitol. All 38 budget bills have passed, with over 30 agency or commission budget bills from the House awaiting Senate action. One important piece of public safety legislation that passed the Senate, SB 337, is a funding bill for increased investments to assist with the backlog of officers awaiting training at the state policy academy. The second bill, SB 5532, is the budget bill for the new commission which also passed the Senate. Read the summary from the Oregon State Bar. ORLA's government affairs team is still engaged on several other bills of importance to the hospitality industry; see the latest bill tracking online.

ORLA Testimony - Throughout the year, your association engages on a number of issues with potential impact on hospitality businesses. Our government affairs team is at the table for important discussions with other business organizations, elected leaders, and agency and government representatives, oftentimes providing testimony on behalf of our members. Here's some recent activity:

• ORLA provided testimony in opposition to the Oregon Lottery's proposed rule changes for the weekly sales requirement and limited availability of machines
• ORLA supports reinforcing the importance of further discussion on an alignment in Paid Family Medical Leave Insurance (PFMLI) and Oregon Family Leave Act (OFLA)
• ORLA signed on to a letter with several other business and industry associations in opposition to HB 3409
• ORLA provided testimony at 2 OLCC Commission meetings in opposition to the proposed surcharge on distilled spirits

Be Smart and Prepare for Power Outages - Oregon is experiencing longer and more intense wildfire seasons than ever before. Which is why businesses need to be prepared for potential wildfire and weather-related events as well as the power outages they may cause. ORLA has curated a list of helpful information and resources that provide preventative steps to help minimize disruption in case of a Public Safety Power Shutoff. From training to refrigeration, there are a number of steps you can proactively take now to prepare your staff and business for potential planned (or unplanned) power shutoffs. 

Webinar on Hospitality Mergers and Acquisitions Marketplace - Take a look into hospitality deal activity trends and what you should be doing now to maximize the value of your business. Join this webinar hosted by ORLA to receive industry insight on the status of the hospitality Mergers and Acquisitions marketplace and trends associated with deal structures and valuation. Industry members will also learn how to position a hospitality business to maximize its value to attract investors and buyers. Additional topics will include planning for owner transitions and succession planning, the process of executing a successful transaction, and how to prepare your business for sale.

One Big Night Success / Lottery Rulemaking / Nominate Your Star Employees

​Huge Support Realized at One Big Night: Last night, ORLA held its annual One Big Night dinner and auction presented by Elmer's and Egg N' Joe, raising crucial funds for the Political Action Committee (ORLAPAC). Close to 200 industry members gathered for a fun evening while helping raise serious money for the PAC. This financial support helps further our mission of electing pro-industry legislators to serve in Salem. During the program, we debuted our new advocacy video highlighting what some of our members are saying about the valuable work we do advocating on behalf of the industry. Watch the video.

Proposed Video Lottery Rule Changes: ORLA held a Lottery Subcommittee meeting last month to talk with retailers about the Oregon Lottery's Rule Changes Proposal and prepare for the Lottery's rulemaking meetings. The Lottery in recent years has faced Video Lottery Terminal (VLT) inventory shortfalls combined with budget constraints and outdated equipment management strategies. This led the Lottery to stop processing applications in 2021, and now is proposing rule changes that include pulling machines from low-producing retailers. ORLA submitted written testimony and encouraged retailers to submit their own comments on the proposed rules. We'll keep you posted on the activity.

Webinar to Help Businesses Optimize Their Google Business Profile: How your business appears online matters. It’s the first thing customers see when they search online. Locl helps you simplify Google Business Profile updates, create posts, engage with customer reviews, monitor business performance and act on insights. ORLA is partnering with Travel Oregon and Locl to provide a webinar on June 14 to show how you can use the Locl platform (for free) to save time, gain valuable insights and drive business. Access the toolkit for more information, and register today for the webinar.

Nominate Your Star Employees: Oregon’s hospitality industry is full of amazing individuals who go above and beyond, raising the bar for excellence in service, performance, and commitment to their team, organization, and the industry. Nominations for the statewide ORLA Hospitality Industry Awards seek to recognize some of these outstanding individuals who truly exemplify Oregon hospitality. In addition to the Employee of the Year, we are also accepting nominations for the Restaurateur of the Year, Lodging Operator of the Year, and new this year a Team Leader of the Year (mid-level employee, supervisor, or director). Be sure to submit your nomination by June 30, 2023.

ProStart Students on Capitol Hill / Legislative Updates / Industry Workshops / Cinco de Mayo

Oregon Represented at National Competition: The National ProStart Invitational wrapped up last night after two days of heated competition among 400 high school students representing 92 teams from 46 states. As Oregon state champions, Crook County and McMinnville high school teams traveled to Washington D.C. this week to compete in the culinary and management competitions, respectively. Oregon Hospitality Foundation's Courtney Smith traveled with the teams as host and to provide support at the events. Following the competition, students on McMinnville's management team met with Senator Jeff Merkley on Capitol Hill to share their restaurant concept and convey how valuable the ProStart program has been in providing training and career exploration in the hospitality industry. Way to go Oregon!

Legislative Bill Deadline: Today is the Post Work Session deadline for all legislative bills. In order for a bill to be heard in committee by second chamber deadline (May 19), it has to be posted on an agenda for work session by May 5. However, this does not apply to Rules, Revenue, or Joint Committees. ORLA’s Government Affairs Committee continues to meet via Zoom every Friday for discussion and updates on legislative activity. If you are interested in joining, please sign up and we'll connect with you before next week's call. You can find the latest bill tracking on our website.

"How I got Started in the Hospitality Industry:" Oregon Hospitality Foundation (OHF) Board member Paul Paz met with culinary students at Salem's CTEC (Career Technical Education Center) to facilitate a hospitality workshop and presentations earlier this week. Management and staff from the Salem Convention Center and Bentley's Grill participated by sharing their career stories and OHF's Lupe Arellano was was on hand to talk about career opportunities within the hospitality industry. This was part of the CTEC Salem-Keizer Learning that WORKS program that helps "prepare high school students for high-skill, high-wage and high-demand careers while developing the professional skills, technical knowledge, academic foundation and real-world experience to assure their success upon graduation."

Whiskey Lovers Take Note: Ticket sales for ORLA's annual Swig & Savor Whiskey Event went on sale today for the August 26 event at the Portland Marriott Downtown Waterfront. Purchase your tickets now and join distillers, master blenders and other enthusiasts to taste a multitude of special whisk(e)y pours from around the world, curated into one spectacular night.

National Small Business Week: Chip Rogers, AHLA President & CEO, released the following statement today marking National Small Business Week: “Six in ten hotels are small businesses, and National Small Business Week is a great opportunity to reflect on the tremendous opportunities hotels are creating for employees and other small companies to grow and thrive,” said AHLA President & CEO Chip Rogers. “Hotels support millions of good-paying jobs and generate billions in state and local tax revenue in communities across the nation. To continue doing so, we’re looking to hire more than 100,000 people around the country. With average hotel wages at near-record levels, better benefits than ever before, and unprecedented opportunity to move up the ranks, there’s never been a better time to start a hotel career.”
 
Background Info:

• There are currently more than 110,000 open hotel jobs nationally, according to Indeed
• National average hotel wages for March 2023 were more than $23 per hour – among the highest they’ve ever been. (Source: BLS, accessed 5/5/23) 
• Average hotel wages (+24%) have risen faster than average wages throughout the general economy (+16%) since the pandemic. (Source: BLS and https://fred.stlouisfed.org/series/CES0500000003, 2/2020-3/2023, accessed 5/5/23) 
• Hotel-generated state and local tax revenue is projected to reach new heights nationally ($46.71 billion) and in states across the nation this year.

Celebrate Cinco de Mayo! Oregon’s Largest Multicultural Festival is back with the Portland Guadalajara Sister City Association (PGSCA) and Treadway Events' 36th annual Portland Cinco de Mayo Fiesta May 5-7th at Tom McCall Waterfront Park in downtown Portland. The PGSCA is a non-profit organization dedicated to creating and strengthening partnerships and fostering goodwill between the City of Portland, and the City of Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico, since 1983. 

​Liquor Surcharge / Minimum Wage Increase / Award Nominations / Get Involved

Public Comments Requested on 50-cent Surcharge Increase: OLCC is seeking public comment on a possible increase of the current 50-cent surcharge on each bottle of distilled spirits to one dollar per bottle. The Commissioners will listen to verbal comments on this at the April 20, and May 18, 2023 Commission meetings. ORLA is in alignment with the Oregon Beverage Alliance in opposing this increase and encourages industry members to take action and provide input on how this may impact your business' bottom line. 

Oregon's Minimum Wage Climbs: BOLI announced late last week that Oregon's minimum wage will increase by 70 cents per hour on July 1, 2023. State law requires an adjustment to the minimum wage to be calculated no later than April 30 of each year based on annualized inflation rates, rounded to the nearest 5 cents. The consumer price index climbed 5% from March 2022 to March 2023. The minimum wage rates will increase as follows:

• Standard Minimum Wage: $14.20 per hour
• Portland Metro Minimum Wage: $15.45 per hour
• Non-Urban Minimum Wage: $13.20 per hour

Nominate Your Star Employees: Oregon’s hospitality industry is full of amazing individuals who go above and beyond, raising the bar for excellence in service, performance, and commitment to their team, organization, and the industry. Nominations are now open for the statewide ORLA Hospitality Industry Awards which seek to recognize some of these outstanding individuals who truly exemplify Oregon hospitality. In addition to the Employee of the Year, we are also accepting nominations for the Restaurateur of the Year, Lodging Operator of the Year, and new this year a Team Leader of the Year (mid-level employee, supervisor, or director). Submit nominations by June 30, 2023.

New Oregon Hospitality Foundation Workforce Blog: The Oregon Hospitality Foundation (OHF) is laser focused on workforce development initiatives to do what we can to build bridges between hospitality industry employers and workers seeking employment opportunities. In an effort to keep lines of communication open with all industry operators interested in connecting with future employees for their operations, the Foundation has launched a new Workforce Blog. Follow what's happening in workforce development efforts and reach out to us if you're interested in getting involved.

Travel & Tourism Industry Achievement Awards: Travel Oregon announced the recipients of the Oregon Travel and Tourism Industry Achievement Awards during the 2023 Oregon Governor’s Conference on Tourism at the Oregon Convention Center. Read more about all the awards winners.

ORLA Members -Get Involved in Your Association: The Oregon Restaurant & Lodging Association is multi-faceted with a variety of different opportunities for professional development amongst hospitality professionals, including board and committee service, program participation, and networking. For those looking to get involved in some way in their state association, check out the numerous activities and opportunities for you to get involved and make the most out of your membership. 

Legislative Bill Movement / Skills Standards / Celebrating Women Restaurateurs / Webinars & Events

Legislative Bill Updates: ORLA's Government Affairs Committee continues its weekly calls to review and discuss the latest activity from the legislative session. As of today, SB 619 (data privacy) has moved forward with private right of action removed; HB 3308 (alcohol delivery) has moved to rules – this would set up a "server training" program for third-party delivery companies as well as a separation of liability; SB 545 (reusable containers) is expected to pass with legislative intent to make it optional to accept those types of containers. See the latest Bill Tracking online.

Hospitality Industry Standards Feedback Survey: The Oregon Hospitality Foundation has been working with the Oregon Department of Education (ODE) and Education Northwest the past couple months to help identify high school technical skills and standards for employment in the hospitality career cluster. This is critical work in getting our foot back in the door of Oregon high schools and it will also raise awareness about the intentional workforce development work through our Hospitality Foundation. Employers are encouraged to take this survey to help review and validate the technical skills we helped to identify for the ODE. Please provide your input by April 14, 2023.

Biggest Industry Show in the Northwest: The Northwest Food Show kicks off Sunday, April 16 at the Portland Expo Center with hundreds of exhibit booths, emerging products and services, alcohol tasting pavilion, and Trends Center. Just announced are the educational programs in the new Trends Center each day: Explore trends to improve your business, and learn best practices from peers in these interactive presentations, designed to showcase tangible solutions you can implement tomorrow and increase your bottom line. Learn more and register online.

Celebrating Women in Portland's Restaurant Industry: Plans are underway for the Women Who Stir the Pot event May 22, presented by the Portland Kitchen Cabinet and the Oregon Restaurant & Lodging Association. This event will be held at Mother’s Bistro and celebrates women in the restaurant industry, recognizing the contributions they make. Learn more. 

Upcoming Webinars:

• ORLA is co-hosting a webinar on April 24 with Smart City Policy Group on "Short-Term Rentals: Policy and Compliance." Attendees will learn more about compliance success with regards to rules and taxes around vacation rentals and short-term rentals. Registration is complimentary online.
• ORLA Preferred Partner, Risk Strategies’ Fournier Group, will be presenting a webinar at 10:00 am on April 25, "Cybersecurity in Hospitality: Don’t Get Blindsided." Anyone in the industry is welcome to participate in this free webinar by registering online. 

ORLA in the news...

• This tournament is transforming high school students into chefs
• Cannon Beach explores lodging tax increase to help fund projects
• Seaside culinary arts score at state competition
• Oregon restaurant, lodging association urges focus on crime

As always, should you have any questions, please reach out to your Regional Representative. Thank you for staying engaged!

Legislative Update / ORLA in the News / ProStart Championships / New Mattress Stewardship Act

Next Legislative Deadline Approaching: April 4, 2023, is the date bills need to be moved out of policy committees in their chamber of origin. ORLA’s Government Affairs Committee continues with Zoom meetings every Friday morning fostering good discussion and updates on legislative activity. If you are interested in joining, please sign up and we'll connect with you before next week's call. You can find the latest bill tracking on our website. All in all, we’re pleased with where we are in advocating for members at this stage in the session.

ORLA in News: On several occasions these past few weeks ORLA has been tapped for industry perspective on various issues, industry events and insights. Here are some highlights: 

• At Oregon ProStart Championships, high schoolers show off their culinary and business chops (OPB, Mar. 19) - Oregon’s hospitality industry employs more people than any other business sector besides health care. And even during the pandemic — a time that majorly challenged traveling — visitors to Oregon spent nearly $11 billion in the state in 2021. But keeping the industry growing will take skilled workers, which is where ProStart comes in. ProStart is a nationwide career technical education program supported by the Oregon Hospitality Foundation. Ken Henson is vice chair of the Oregon Hospitality Foundation and was the lead culinary judge for the event. He joined OPB’s “All Things Considered” host Crystal Ligori to talk through how the competition played out.
• Portland's Reputation Improving, But Hotel Occupancy Remains Depressed (OregonLive, Mar. 22) - Prospective visitors have a much better impression of Portland than at the end of 2020, according to new survey data, but hotel occupancy and revenues remain far below what they were before COVID-19. Jason Brandt, CEO of the Oregon Restaurant & Lodging Association, said he’s seeing improvement in perceptions of Portland and the hospitality industry. But he said the city needs to do more to make downtown feel welcoming to visitors. “We need a sense of urgency when it comes to guest safety and employee safety,” Brandt said. “If we can really execute on timelines and objectives for creating a consistent, safe and energized downtown core it doesn’t just help the downtown. It helps the surrounding area with repeat business and ongoing recovery of our reputation.”
• Oregon association urges ‘laser-like focus’ on crime for restaurant recovery (KOIN 6, Mar. 26) - Oregon’s restaurant and lodging industry, like many service organizations, struggled during the pandemic. Amid a post-pandemic comeback, the industry faces record-high inflation, labor shortages and in some cases, crime. The Oregon Restaurant & Lodging Association reports 2,000 out of the 10,000 restaurants across the state have closed since the start of COVID, but more than 1,200 have also opened. “There’s a lot of course correction happening right now in the industry,” said Jason Brandt, president and CEO of ORLA. “What we’re seeing is some progress in our ongoing recovery efforts, but we’re not back to 2019 levels and that goes for both the restaurant and the lodging side.” Brandt says there are several factors causing a lack of stability in the restaurant and lodging industries such as soaring food, beverage and food service equipment costs. The ORLA CEO explained this creates barriers for low-level profit margins.
• Cannon Beach explores lodging tax increase to help fund projects (Daily Astorian, Mar. 29) - After cost estimates for the redevelopment of the former elementary school and construction of a new City Hall and police station came in much higher than anticipated, city officials are weighing different funding options, as well as reductions in the scope of the projects. During a City Council work session Tuesday night, options were presented for increasing the city’s lodging tax by 1.5% or 2%, along with options for reducing the scope of the projects. Greg Astley, the director of government affairs for the Oregon Restaurant & Lodging Association, said the tourism industry is still recovering in Oregon. He urged the city to consider cutting back on the projects. “People love Cannon Beach, but they may not love it as much if they don’t feel welcome here,” Astley said. “And when you increase your costs to visitors, whether that be when they go out to have a bite to eat, or whether they come to the hotel, that can be disheartening.”
• ORLA Launches Fourth Year of Leadership Program for Tourism Professionals (ORLA, Mar. 30) - In April, ORLA will launch the fourth-year launch of the Oregon Tourism Leadership Academy (OTLA), developed in partnership with the Oregon Destination Association and Travel Oregon, and led by the industry’s top experts. The annual experiential learning program is targeted to public and private sector tourism professionals who are seeking to polish their leadership and professional skills, continue to grow their career accomplishments, and make positive and lasting contributions to the state’s tourism economy and its success. View a roster for the fourth-year class.

Mattress Stewardship Act: The Department of Environmental Quality is seeking public comment on proposed rules for the Mattress Stewardship Act (SB 1576, 2022). More information on this rulemaking, including the draft rules, can be found on the Mattress Stewardship 2023 Rulemaking web page. DEQ will accept comments by email, postal mail or verbally at the public hearing on Wednesday, April 19, 2023. Start time: 9 a.m.; please register prior to the meeting, using this Zoom link. Send via postal mail to Oregon DEQ, Attn: Rachel Harding/Materials Management, 700 NE Multnomah Street, Suite 600, Portland, Oregon 97232-4100. DEQ will only consider comments on the proposed rules that DEQ receives by 4 p.m., on April 28, 2023.

A Smart Use of Local Lodging Tax Dollars

As of January 1, 2023, a 2% increase in local lodging tax has been in effect in Lane County. How these new revenues will be spent is still undecided. The Board of Commissioners held a meeting back in September to hear public comments in support of proposals including building a new stadium for the Emeralds baseball team and an indoor multi-use stadium.

ORLA’s Director of Government Affairs Greg Astley, along with a few ORLA members, provided testimony at the hearing urging Lane County Commissioners to use any new increase in lodging tax toward an indoor multi-use facility. The following summarizes why we think an indoor facility is a smarter use for those tourism revenues:

As hospitality businesses continue to try and recover from the two and a half years of the global pandemic, the shutdowns that occurred because of that pandemic and the ongoing issues of inflation, rising gas prices and continued supply chain issues, there is a clear need for more stable, year-round revenue from visitors to help that recovery.
 
Summer demand is already high in Lane County as visitors enjoy outdoor recreation, wine tasting, various festivals and sporting events and other activities undertaken during the summer months when the weather is favorable.  During the winter months and shoulder seasons however, especially January through March, visitors are less likely to visit and support our local economy.

Therefore, we believe the best use of any new increase in TLT is growing winter travel demand. TLT reinvested in our challenging winter economy is good for local businesses, from hotels to restaurants and retail and will support year-round employment. Additionally, increasing visitor demand in winter will grow TLT revenue for all recipient programs and jurisdictions.  Finally, increases in TLT should be used in ways relevant to drawing visitors, putting “heads in beds” and continuing to increase overall TLT revenue.

ORLA supports investment in an indoor multi-use sports facility, with the added feature of a hydraulic, banked 200m track. This facility can accommodate a wide range of sports tournaments, events and offer temperature-controlled emergency response in all seasons. This represents a much-needed investment in facilities serving local youth and all ages who participate in healthy activities, while also drawing visitors in winter. The Eugene/Springfield metro area is underbuilt related to active and healthy indoor facility space compared to national averages. Multi-use sports facilities draw visitors, are recession resistant and are good for our community health. 
 
Visitors already know and love Eugene and the surrounding areas of Lane County in summertime.  Investing in an indoor multi-use sports facility will allow them the opportunity to experience it during the winter months and shoulder seasons helping to support local jobs, the local economy and the overall health of the community.  We encourage the use of any increase in the TLT rate to go toward this endeavor.

If you have any questions, please reach out to your Regional Representative Terry Hopkins or Greg Astley. 

Legislative Activity / ProStart Champions / Restaurant Business Conditions Survey

​ORLA Bill Tracking: Today is the day legislative bills need to get scheduled for work sessions or else they get left behind (a.k.a., die). As a reminder, ORLA's bill tracking software serves as a crucial tool in monitoring activity of bills with hospitality impacts and coordinating public testimony in front of committees in representation of the industry. See the latest activity on our Legislative Session page.

Oregon ProStart Champions Head to Nationals: This past Monday, ten high schools competed in the Oregon Hospitality Foundation’s statewide Oregon ProStart® Championships showcasing their skills and teamwork. The culinary challenge for the student chefs was to prepare a three-course gourmet meal with only two butane burners in under an hour. Crook County High School pulled this off with excellence, winning top honors in the culinary competition. On the management side, McMinnville High School took first place earning them a trip alongside Crook County to Washington, D.C. to compete in the National ProStart Invitational May 2-4. ProStart is a nationwide career technical education (CTE) program that prepares high school students with fundamental skills such as communication, teamwork, time management and professionalism needed to enter the workforce. For a quick recap and video capturing some of the action, see the story on Here Is Oregon, "Oregon culinary students go head-to-head in a very polite food fight." For the full results, read our press release.

Survey Shows Oregon Restaurants Still Challenged: The National Restaurant Association recently released key findings from a Restaurant Business Conditions survey conducted in November 2022. Oregon data was extracted to help illustrate what our industry is experiencing locally, including continued elevated costs across all parts of the operation and expected challenges with profitability to remain through 2023. Oregon operators took a number of actions in recent months as a result of higher cost. 78% of restaurants increased menu prices and 48% of restaurants reduced hours of operation. See more insights in Oregon's survey data.

ORLA Day of Advocacy Fosters Relationship Building: Over 300 hospitality industry members, state agency representatives, legislators and staff participated in a day of activities co-hosted by ORLA and AAHOA February 21. The Capitol Day Assembly provided for Q&A sessions with invited representatives from several state agencies. After meetings at the Capitol, attendees enjoyed hosted food and beverages at the Taste Oregon Legislative Reception presented by DoorDash. The reception provided industry members the opportunity to meet our elected leaders face to face in a casual setting. Read more.

As the "March is Problem Gambling Awareness Month" national campaign celebrates 20 years, ORLA wants to join the efforts in helping increase public awareness of problem gambling and the availability of prevention, treatment and recovery services. Problem gambling is defined as all gambling behavior patterns that compromise, disrupt or damage personal, family or vocational pursuits. Approximately 2 million U.S. adults (1% of the population) are estimated to meet criteria for severe problem gambling. Another 4-6 million (2-3%) meet the criteria for mild or moderate problem gambling.
 
ORLA President & CEO, Jason Brandt, serves on the Oregon Council on Problem Gambling whose mission is to promote the health of Oregonians through supporting efforts to minimize gambling-related harm. This organization strives to provide the highest quality, cutting-edge responsible problem gambling awareness and educational services to Oregonians.
 
“Problem gambling is not an issue we think about just once a year in conjunction with awareness month,” said Jason Brandt, President & CEO of ORLA. “Gambling in Oregon generates approximately $1 billion every biennium for the State of Oregon and is the second largest revenue source behind personal income taxes. Our members who partner with the Oregon Lottery as retailers in many cases are a crucial intermediary in our collective efforts to maximize revenue for numerous state programs and services while upholding the tenants of responsible gaming. Retailers remain the most comprehensive network of operators who can identify and address problem gambling in partnership with the Oregon Lottery.”
 
As stakeholders in the gaming industry, Oregon Lottery retailers are required to take retailer training to promote Responsible Gaming. Retailer employees can access the ‘Responsible Gaming and You’ training and earn a certificate on the Oregon Lottery website.
​
Some warning signs of a gambling problem are: 

• Thinking about gambling all the time.
• Feeling the need to bet more money and more often.
• Going back to try to win your money back ("chasing losses").
• Feeling restless or irritable when trying to stop or cut down.

 
If you know someone who may need help, they can call the National Helpline at 1-800-GAMBLER for more information about problem gambling and referral to local help.

Bill Tracking / Third-Party Delivery Fee Cap / Capitol Day

From ORLA's Advocacy Update
The following are just a couple highlights from the bi-weekly Advocacy Update email sent to all ORLA members. This members-only communication dives deeper into some of the bill activity, industry positions, and upcoming work sessions for key legislative bills we're engaged on. If you are a member but are not receiving the Advocacy Update emails, please reach out to Info@OregonRLA.org.

• ORLA Bill Tracking: The state legislature hits its deadline on February 21 to introduce new bills for the year. As of two weeks ago, over 2,200 bills had been introduced. ORLA's bill tracking software serves as a crucial tool in monitoring activity of bills with hospitality impacts and coordinating public testimony in front of committees in representation of the industry. See the latest activity.
• Take Action & Urge Support of HB 2536: In 2020, the Legislature passed HB 3361 protecting restaurants from third-party delivery companies using their menu, logo or pricing information without prior written consent. HB 2536 reinforces those protections and makes it clear the enforcement agency would be the Oregon Health Authority. In addition, it prohibits third-party delivery platforms from charging more than 15% for delivery fees statewide. We need you to share your personal story with legislators and let them know how important passage of this bill would be to helping you survive as you recover.

ORLA Day of Advocacy Fosters Relationship Building
Over 300 hospitality industry members, state agency representatives, legislators and staff participated in a day of activities co-hosted by ORLA and AAHOA February 21. The Capitol Day Assembly provided for Q&A sessions with invited representatives from several state agencies. After meetings at the Capitol, attendees enjoyed hosted food and beverages at the Taste Oregon Legislative Reception presented by DoorDash. The reception provided industry members the opportunity to meet our elected leaders face to face in a casual setting. Read more.

Looking for more advocacy information or wanting to engage a bit more on the issues? ORLA members are welcome to join our weekly Government Affairs meetings (via Zoom) by completing this Contact Us form.

Hotel Industry Report Released

[From the desk of Chip Rogers, President & CEO, American Hotel & Lodging Association]

Today, AHLA released its 2023 State of the Hotel Industry report. The report forecasts that the hotel industry in 2023 will surpass pre-pandemic levels of demand, nominal room revenue and state and local tax revenue, while inching closer to other key 2019 performance metrics. It is based on data and analysis from Oxford Economics and was created in collaboration with AHLA Platinum Partners STR, Avendra, Ecolab, Encore, and Oracle.

Top findings of the report include:

• 2023 nominal room revenue is projected to reach new heights ($197.48 billion vs. $170.35 billion in 2019). While these numbers are not adjusted for inflation, and real revenue recovery will likely take several more years, the trendlines are positive.
• 2023 room-night demand is projected to surpass pre-pandemic levels (1.3 billion occupied room nights vs. 1.29 billion in 2019).
• Hotels are expected to generate $46.71 billion in state and local tax revenue in 2023, up from $41.11 billion in 2019.
• Average hotel occupancy is expected to reach 63.8% in 2023 – just shy of 2019’s 65.9%.
• Staffing is expected to remain a significant challenge for U.S. hotels in 2023, with hotels projected to employ 2.09 million people in 2023, down from 2.35 million in 2019.

You can view the report here. For more information, visit AHLA.com.

AHLA is the largest hotel association in America, representing more than 30,000 members from all segments of the industry nationwide – including iconic global brands, 80% of all franchised hotels and the 16 largest hotel companies in the U.S. In addition to hoteliers, AHLA membership includes partner state associations, industry vendors and suppliers, hospitality students and those who teach and mentor them. 

Meet Your Elected Leaders / Service Animals / Small Business Grants

Capitol Day & Taste Oregon
With a record number of new legislators in Salem, in addition to a new Governor and a few agency heads, now's the time to engage in opportunities to meet face to face with these elected leaders and help them understand our unique industry issues. There's a full menu of activities with ORLA and AAHOA's Capitol Day and Taste Oregon events presented by DoorDash in Salem on Tuesday, February 21, 2023. You are encouraged to participate in one or more of these activities with multiple chances to tell your story and discuss issues of importance with our elected leaders. Take a look at the day's schedule and plan to join us for some or all the activities. While these events are free to attend, an RSVP is required.

California FAST Act Update
It was an incredibly busy Fall for ORLA’s colleagues down in California as the state association worked alongside the National Restaurant Association to submit over one million voter signatures to stall the implementation of the FAST Act passed by the state legislature. In short, Californians will get the opportunity to either affirm the decision of their legislature or vote against it in November 2024. Until voters decide, we will not see the FAST Act take effect in California. Expect to see an expensive and hard hitting opposition campaign during the 2024 election season for our neighbors to the south. ORLA’s Government Affairs Committee will be following the issue closely as policy issues in California and Washington tend to find their way to Oregon.

A Miniature Horse Walks into a Bar...
Hospitality industry members have been experiencing more situations with customers walking into restaurants and hotels with "service animals" that may not actually be trained as such. We've reposted our Boiled Down podcast episode on the subject for some good reminders on what questions business owners and employees can legally ask customers. A local employment law attorney helps shed light on the dos and don’ts of service animals in your establishment. For additional resources, including downloadable posters for your place of business, visit ORLA's web page on compliance.

New Small Business Grant Applications
Business Oregon has partnered with the CCD Business Development Corporation to offer $3 million in Statewide Small Business and Microenterprise Grant Assistance (SBMA). This program is funded with federal grant funds from the Oregon Community Development Block Grant program CARES Act funding for communities affected by COVID-19. The application process opens January 23 and closes February 7, 2023. The grant applications are open to microenterprises (5 or fewer employees) or small business (more than five employees) that meet the eligibility requirements.

Oregon Governor’s Conference Registration Open
The 2023 Oregon Governor’s Conference on Tourism will be in Portland April 3-5, 2023. This is your opportunity to join your travel and tourism colleagues at Oregon's largest tourism gathering of the year. Keynote speakers and breakout session details are still to come but will focus on objectives aligned with Travel Oregon's 10-Year Strategic Vision, which includes experiences, equity, economy and environment. For more information and to register, visit Travel Oregon's industry site.

Questions on Oregon Restaurant & Lodging Association's advocacy work? Contact Director of Government Affairs, Greg Astley or visit our Advocacy page.

With the new year around the corner, hospitality employers should be aware requirements coming into play in 2023.

• Oregon's new Paid Family and Medical Leave Insurance program (PFMLI) goes into effect January 1, 2023.
• A new Paid Leave notice for all Oregon employers goes into effect January 1, 2023, requiring employers to post a new model notice poster at each work site and provide it electronically or by mail to any remote workers.
• Under the Oregon retirement plan mandate, also known as OregonSaves, all employers in Oregon are required to facilitate OregonSaves if they don't offer a retirement plan for their employees; deadline for businesses with 3-4 employees must register by March 1, 2023, and those with 1-2 employees, by July 31, 2023.
• Read more about 5 Key 2022 updates to Form I-9 Compliance.

Close to 120 bills were passed in the 2022 short legislative session earlier this year. While some have already gone into effect, an additional 20 new laws go into effect January 1, 2023. Read more on OregonLive.com. The laws most relevant for our industry include:

• Senate Bill 1586 expands Oregon’s Workplace Fairness Act to make it unlawful for an employer to require former employees to enter into an agreement that would prevent them from disclosing discrimination and harassment. A similar law already covered current and prospective employees. The law also prohibits employers from including provisions in agreements that would prevent the disclosure of the amount or fact of a settlement, unless an employee requests that provision. 
• House Bill 4075 makes it easier for crime victims, including small businesses that are burglarized, to receive restitution for economic damages in part by ensuring that victims are paid in full before convicted criminals pay court fines. 
• House Bill 4086 makes key changes to the state’s workers’ compensation laws by broadening the definition of a beneficiary and a dependent when considering eligibility for benefits. Under the new law, the definition of a dependent is broadened to include individuals whose close association with a worker is equivalent to a family relationship, among others. Dependents who are noncitizens living outside the United States and spouses “living in a state of abandonment” are also no longer excluded from being beneficiaries, either. 

Want to stay informed with ORLA's activity in the 2023 Legislative Session? Visit our website to view our legislative framework for the upcoming session, subscribe to email alerts and updates, and sign up to be a Hospitality Advocate.