ORLA Update – June 22, 2023

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.

---

---

ORLA keeps members informed and educated with the latest information, industry intelligence and research via several channels. In addition to the blog, members receive more comprehensive insights via the monthly Insider e-newsletter and access to the Member Portal with data and research. ​

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