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Meaningful change for Oregon consumers
In a major year for consumer laws, Oregon Consumer Justice (OCJ) worked on six successful bills that strengthen consumer-led enforcement through Oregon's Unlawful Trade Practices Act. This means strong mechanisms are now in place to allow consumers to take action against bad actors in the marketplace.
Notably, Oregon became among the strongest states in the nation when it comes to digital privacy protections with the passage of legislation that restricts the sale of consumers' precise geolocation data. And, while federal efforts to eliminate medical debt from consumer credit reports have stalled, Oregon lawmakers passed a law to both address this issue and strengthen protections by also prohibiting credit reporting for debt on medical credit cards. Additionally, starting January 1, 2026, car buyers will have less waiting time to get financing secured, be made whole if their trade-in car is illegally sold, and will be provided a plain language disclosure about their rights.
While building a consumer-focused, equitable marketplace cannot be accomplished in any single session, we are confident that the legislation Oregon Consumer Justice (OCJ) helped shepherd into law during this legislative session strengthens Oregon families and communities. We are proud to have advanced meaningful protections for consumers alongside our partners and allies, including the Consumer Alliance of Oregon.
OCJ and its statewide allies in consumer justice work made tremendous strides in 2025 to put power back in the hands of consumers and families. With the passage of groundbreaking digital privacy protections and solutions to support Oregonians with medical debt, we've demonstrated that Oregon can be among the leaders in the nation when it comes to building a marketplace that works for everyone. While there's always more work to be done, these victories represent real, tangible protections that will make a difference in Oregonians' daily lives.
–Jagjit Nagra | OCJ Executive Director
Well, that depends. The effective dates for consumer laws passed during the 2025 Oregon Legislative Session happen at different times depending on how the bill is written. Most bills will take effect on January 1, 2026. Other bills take effect on the 91st day after sine die. This year, that date is at the end of September. Some bills’ effective date is timed with other legislative measures or something specific, like a court ruling or judgment. Lastly, bills with an emergency clause are effective as soon as they are signed by the Governor.
Advocating and sharing information about consumer-led enforcement is central to OCJ’s work at the legislature and across the state. Simply put, our laws should allow Oregonians to hold companies accountable when they cause us harm. Unfortunately, not all of our laws provide consumers with the ability to enforce our rights in court. The ability to self-enforce is essential so we, as consumers, can seek justice when companies break the law.
Signed by Governor Kotek on May 14, 2025, HB 3178 introduces significant transparency and safeguards when financing a car purchase. It mandates dealers to void the sale or provide financing at the original terms if financing cannot be arranged within ten days after the sale. Additionally, the law will now provide stronger protections if a sale involving a trade-in vehicle deal falls through and the dealer sells the trade-in vehicle, and it provides a consumer rights disclosure in multiple languages at the time of purchase. This new law takes effect on January 1, 2026.
“Oregonians should not have to worry about an auto dealer honoring the financing terms of a car purchase agreement, especially when they are allowed to leave the lot with the vehicle. Now, consumers will have the transparency they need to make an informed purchase and the ability to walk away from an unfavorable deal if the agreed-upon terms are not available–a big win for Oregon families and anyone wanting to purchase a car.”
-Angela Donely | OCJ Policy Analyst
Available in English and Spanish, issue #1 of our comic will help you confidently tackle the complicated transaction of buying a used car.
Too many Oregonians become trapped in a debt cycle because of predatory lending practices. OCJ priority bill HB 2561 would have closed a loophole in federal law that permits lenders to circumvent Oregon's 36% interest rate cap by partnering with banks in other states. This bill passed the House in February; however, it was never scheduled for a hearing in the Senate. While we are disappointed this legislation didn't pass, we expect it to come back in a future session. OCJ is committed to working on stronger regulations in the lending space to ensure that consumers have strong protections and access to credit.
Nearly one in three Oregonians has incurred medical debt over the last two years, and the federal government continues to dismantle protections put in place by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. Now, with the passage of SB 605, Oregon will join 13 other states, including California, Washington, and Colorado, in prohibiting debt collectors, hospitals, and other entities from reporting medical debt to credit reporting agencies. The legislation ensures that Oregonians facing medical debt have improved access to affordable credit. The bill also includes provisions that prohibit credit reporting of debt on medical credit cards. Beyond removing barriers to credit, the bill is an acknowledgment that medical debt is often sudden and is not indicative of a person’s ability to repay. SB 605 passed out of the Oregon House on May 29 and the Senate on June 9, 2025. It was signed by the governor on June 17, 2025, and goes into effect on January 1, 2026.
SB 605's passage was bolstered by ongoing advocacy and collaboration from the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, OCJ, and partner organizations throughout the session.
As a fundamental and often mandatory service that every Oregonian interacts with, insurance should adhere to the same consumer protection laws that apply to other industries. SB 174 was a priority bill for OCJ and represents our continued efforts to add insurance to the list of consumer industries covered by Oregon’s foundational consumer protection law, the Unlawful Trade Practices Act (UTPA).
While the measure did not pass in 2025, we are grateful for the meaningful conversations with legislative champions who understand the need for adequate regulation to protect Oregonians from unfair practices in the insurance industry. We are excited to carry this momentum forward as we continue to shape OCJ’s legislative goals for 2026.
“It's deeply disappointing that SB 174 did not pass in 2025. While every other industry is held accountable under our state's consumer protection standards, insurers continue to enjoy a carveout that leaves Oregonians without meaningful recourse when they are mistreated. This is especially troubling in light of record industry profits and persistent red flags—like low loss ratios—that signal a clear need for stronger oversight. While accountability in insurance has been delayed yet again, OCJ will continue the work to close this loophole and deliver the protections Oregon families deserve.”
–Jagjit Nagra | OCJ Executive Director
OCJ’s commitment to building a more just and equitable Oregon requires strategic advocacy that can operate seamlessly at both the state and federal levels. To support meaningful results for consumers and stronger relationships, we are excited to announce that beginning July 1, our Policy Department will transition to a leadership model that includes both a Federal Policy Director and a State Policy Director. Current Policy Director Chris Coughlin will step into the role of Federal Policy Director, and current Policy Analyst Angela Donley will become our State Policy Director.
In today's digital age, companies track, sell, and use consumer data, often without our knowledge. Our digital privacy laws need to protect and strengthen our ability to control and safeguard our private information.
HB 2008 significantly strengthens the Oregon Consumer Privacy Act (OCPA). Once the law takes effect on January 1, 2026, Oregon will join Maryland as the only two states with robust protections against the sale of consumer location data that reveals an individual's whereabouts within a 1,750-foot radius. This law increases personal privacy and limits the misuse of sensitive geolocation information by data brokers and other third parties. Further, the age threshold for youth protections is lowered from 16 to 13 years old.
Another expansion to the OCPA, HB 3875, addresses concerns about the data collection capabilities of smart vehicles by giving consumers the right to access, delete, and opt out of the sale of all vehicle-generated private data, regardless of how many cars a manufacturer has sold in Oregon and includes data collected by connected devices, sensors, and vehicle software systems. Governor Kotek signed HB 3875 on May 19, and it takes effect on the 91st day after the last day of session, towards the end of September 2025.
Shoppers should feel confident that they won't be subject to unexpected hidden fees and charges when making online purchases. The passage of SB 430 improves protections in online shopping by adding a violation of the Oregon Unlawful Trade Practices Act (UTPA)—our state’s foundational consumer protection law—for businesses selling goods or services online that advertise, display, or offer a price that does not include all fees and charges. Taxes and shipping fees are excluded. SB 430 passed the Oregon Senate on April 22, the Oregon House on May 29, and on June 3, the Senate concurred with the House amendments and repassed the bill. SB 430 was signed by Governor Kotek on June 11, 2025. It goes into effect on January 1, 2026.
Download or share these materials to stay informed about data privacy for a safer, stronger community.
The 2025 legislative session was the inaugural session for the Consumer Alliance of Oregon. OCJ convened the Consumer Alliance to help build broad support for the passage of pro-consumer legislation. Two of the Consumer Alliance's legislative priorities passed into law this session, while three did not move forward.
