The Oregon Legislative Assembly has announced Senate Bill 1166, which aims to establish minimum compensation for ride-share drivers and implement stricter deactivation protocols. The bill also proposes new oversight measures, including a driver support center and data reporting requirements.
Senate Bill 1166 was introduced in response to ongoing national and local discussions regarding labor protections for gig economy workers, particularly those in the ride-share sector. In Oregon, driver advocacy groups have expressed concerns about issues such as deactivations, unpredictable earnings, and the absence of benefits. According to the Oregon Legislature’s bill summary, this initiative is part of a broader movement to reclassify or regulate app-based work. It mirrors similar efforts in New York and California aimed at extending workplace standards to independent contractors.
According to a Medium post, Seattle's PayUp legislation mandates per-minute and per-mile pay for app-based couriers. This regulation has reportedly led to significant changes in the city's delivery market. The company claims that consumer fees on Uber Eats orders increased by 50%, resulting in a 30% drop in order volume and forcing Uber to reduce the onboarding of new couriers in Seattle by 87%. While the policy intended to enhance worker earnings, it instead resulted in fewer deliveries, reduced flexibility, and diminished economic opportunities for many app-based workers.
CBS News reports that a proposed Minnesota bill designed to establish minimum pay rates and protections for rideshare drivers was vetoed by Governor Tim Walz due to concerns about affordability and service access. Uber had warned that if the legislation passed, it would significantly limit service outside the Twin Cities and convert most drivers to part-time, scheduled shifts. While proponents argued that the bill sought fair compensation for drivers, opponents like Walz feared it would inadvertently reduce driver flexibility and increase costs for riders, ultimately decreasing rideshare service availability across the state.
Oregon’s Legislative Assembly is a bicameral body consisting of a 30-member Senate and a 60-member House of Representatives. Members are elected from single-member districts during even-numbered years. Senators serve four-year terms with staggered elections, while representatives serve two-year terms; each chamber elects a presiding officer responsible for managing legislative operations.