Michael Dembrow Voting Record & Scorecard | Christian Employers Alliance
OR Senator
District: 23 • Democrat
2025 Alignment:
34.62%
Lifetime Ratings by Policy Category
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Sen. Michael Dembrow (D-OR-23) earned a 35% Christian Employers Alliance score for 2025, showing limited alignment with biblical business policy positions. Michael Dembrow voted on 43 of the 43 substantive bills scored by CEA in 2025. Highest category scores: First Freedom (100%), Operational Freedom (53%), and Healthcare Freedom (38%). Michael Dembrow represents the 23rd District in the Oregon State Senate.
Title
Lawmaker Position
SB 10
Senate 2025
2xSB 10Senate 20252x
Strengthening Fiscal Oversight and Accountability by Directing a State Financial Administration Study
With CEA
This bill makes several adjustments to Oregon's state financial management, including transferring funds between education-related accounts, retaining interest earnings in the Environmental Restoration Fund, approving expenditures for state parks, extending the sunset of a wildfire-related school stabilization fund, and shifting housing development financing program administration. It also directs the Department of Administrative Services to conduct a study on state financial administration and report findings to legislative committees by September 2026. The bipartisan support in both chambers reflects broad legislative consensus on improving fiscal oversight and resource allocation.
SUPPORT is the CEA Position, based on:
From a faith-based perspective, responsible stewardship of public resources is a biblical imperative. This bill promotes accountability, transparency, and prudent management of taxpayer funds, ensuring government acts justly and wisely in administering finances for the common good and protecting vulnerable communities impacted by disasters and environmental concerns.
Luke 16:10-11 – "Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much. So if you have not been trustworthy in handling worldly wealth, who will trust you with true riches?"
Leadership Insight
Jesus connects economic stewardship to spiritual trustworthiness. Economic freedom is built on this principle: individuals who manage small resources faithfully should be trusted with more - not have government confiscate their increase through taxation or redistribute their success. When government punishes productive stewardship through progressive taxation, it contradicts Christ's teaching that faithful management of "very little" qualifies you for "much." Economic freedom rewards faithful stewardship.
SB 1032
Senate 2025
2xSB 1032Senate 20252x
Protecting Youth by Restricting Sale of Aerosol Dusters Containing 1,1-Difluoroethane to Minors
Against CEA
This bill prohibits the retail sale of aerosol dusters containing 1,1-Difluoroethane (DFE) to individuals under 18 years of age. It requires sellers to verify age with valid identification, limits sales to three units per transaction, mandates warning labels about the dangers of inhaling the product, and restricts public access to inventory. Violations are punishable by fines and/or imprisonment. While aimed at protecting youth from substance abuse, the bill expands regulatory requirements on retailers and increases government enforcement scope.
OPPOSE is the CEA Position, based on:
From a faith-based perspective, protecting the vulnerable, especially youth, from harmful behaviors aligns with biblical principles of stewardship and care for others. Safeguarding young people’s health and well-being supports their dignity and the responsibility of society to nurture and protect God’s creation. However, government intervention should be balanced to avoid overregulation that burdens honest businesses and individual responsibility.
Isaiah 10:1-2 – "Woe to those who make unjust laws, to those who issue oppressive decrees, to deprive the poor of their rights and withhold justice from the oppressed of my people, making widows their prey and robbing the fatherless."
Leadership Insight
God pronounces woe on those who issue oppressive decrees - regulations, mandates, and compliance requirements that crush businesses and deprive workers of opportunity. Operational freedom fights the bureaucratic oppression that kills small businesses, prevents entrepreneurship, and protects established interests at the expense of new entrants. When licensing laws, zoning restrictions, and regulatory burdens make it impossible for the poor to start businesses, government becomes the oppressor Isaiah condemns.
SB 110
Senate 2025
2xSB 110Senate 20252x
Expanding Economic Growth by Increasing Baseball Stadium Tax Revenue Grants
With CEA
This bill increases the amount of incremental personal income tax revenues from Major League Baseball players that the Oregon Department of Administrative Services may grant for constructing a major league baseball stadium in Portland. It raises the minimum stadium cost threshold to $2 billion and increases the salary threshold for calculating incremental tax revenues. The measure authorizes grants up to $800 million plus reasonable financing costs, with provisions for legislative appropriations and protections to ensure funds are used properly. While the bill received bipartisan support, it expands government involvement in subsidizing private sports infrastructure, which may impact taxpayers and economic freedom.
SUPPORT is the CEA Position, based on:
From a faith-based perspective, stewardship of public resources requires prudence and accountability. While supporting community development and economic opportunity is important, government should avoid excessive subsidies that risk misallocating taxpayer funds. Encouraging responsible investment and protecting taxpayers aligns with biblical principles of justice, stewardship, and promoting flourishing communities.
Luke 14:28-30 – "Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Won’t you first sit down and estimate the cost to see if you have enough money to complete it?"
Leadership Insight
Vision must meet calculation. God honors leaders who count costs before claiming promises. Stewardship without foresight breeds collapse.
SB 1109
Senate 2025
1xSB 1109Senate 20251x
Strengthening Transparency in Education Governance by Requiring Video Recording of Board Meetings
With CEA
This bill requires boards of public schools, community colleges, education service districts, and public universities to video record their governing meetings and post the recordings online within seven days. Audio recordings are permitted if broadband access is unavailable. The measure excludes executive sessions and very small school districts. While transparency is important, the bill modestly expands government requirements on educational institutions, with limited direct impact on employers or economic freedom.
SUPPORT is the CEA Position, based on:
From a faith-based perspective, transparency and accountability in public institutions promote justice and stewardship of resources entrusted to government. Ensuring open access to educational governance supports informed citizen participation and respects the biblical principles of truth and order.
1 Corinthians 4:2 – "Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful."
Leadership Insight
Operational freedom begins with stewardship. God entrusts leaders with resources, influence, and people - not to control them, but to multiply them for His Kingdom. Faithfulness is Heaven’s metric for leadership success.
SB 1176
Senate 2025
1xSB 1176Senate 20251x
Strengthening Economic Freedom by Publicizing the Obligation to Accept Cash Payments
With CEA
This bill requires the Bureau of Labor and Industries to conduct an ongoing public education campaign to inform places of public accommodation and residents about the legal obligation to accept cash as payment for goods and services. The effort will continue until a high level of compliance is achieved. While the bill clarifies and reinforces existing law, it expands government involvement in outreach and compliance monitoring, though it does not impose new mandates on businesses.
SUPPORT is the CEA Position, based on:
From a faith-based perspective, this legislation supports the biblical principle of stewardship by promoting fairness and transparency in commerce. Ensuring that individuals and businesses honor their obligations fosters trust, accountability, and respect for lawful agreements, which are essential for a just and orderly society.
Luke 16:10-11 – "Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much. So if you have not been trustworthy in handling worldly wealth, who will trust you with true riches?"
Leadership Insight
Jesus connects economic stewardship to spiritual trustworthiness. Economic freedom is built on this principle: individuals who manage small resources faithfully should be trusted with more - not have government confiscate their increase through taxation or redistribute their success. When government punishes productive stewardship through progressive taxation, it contradicts Christ's teaching that faithful management of "very little" qualifies you for "much." Economic freedom rewards faithful stewardship.
SB 150
Senate 2025
2xSB 150Senate 20252x
Protecting Veterans from Unreasonable Fees by Regulating Compensation for Benefit Claims Assistance
With CEA
This bill prohibits individuals from receiving compensation for helping veterans or claimants apply for or appeal veterans' benefits unless allowed under federal or state law. It defines "unreasonable fees" and forbids charging excessive amounts for such services. The Department of Veterans' Affairs is tasked with educating veterans about free assistance options. Violations are punishable under the state's Unlawful Trade Practices Act. While the Senate vote was unanimously bipartisan, the House saw strong Republican opposition, reflecting concerns about government overreach and restrictions on private contracts.
SUPPORT is the CEA Position, based on:
From a faith-based perspective, this bill promotes justice and accountability by protecting vulnerable veterans from exploitation. It encourages stewardship of resources and supports the dignity of those who have served by ensuring they receive fair and honest assistance without undue financial burden.
Proverbs 11:1 – "The Lord detests dishonest scales, but accurate weights find favor with Him."
Leadership Insight
Integrity in business is not optional - it’s spiritual obedience. Every transaction reflects the character of the Kingdom. Honesty is Heaven’s currency for influence.
SB 162
Senate 2025
2xSB 162Senate 20252x
Strengthening Public Safety by Authorizing Destruction of Hoop Houses Used for Illegal Marijuana Production
With CEA
This bill authorizes law enforcement officers executing a search warrant to destroy hoop houses if there is probable cause they are used for unlawful marijuana production. It also updates regulatory provisions related to marijuana and industrial hemp, including licensing terms and information sharing between state agencies. While the bill removes certain location restrictions for marijuana retailers, it enhances oversight and enforcement tools to combat illegal cannabis operations. The bipartisan support reflects a shared interest in balancing regulation with public safety.
SUPPORT is the CEA Position, based on:
From a faith-based perspective, protecting communities from illegal activities aligns with biblical principles of justice and accountability. Ensuring law enforcement has appropriate authority to uphold the law supports order and stewardship of resources, while regulatory clarity promotes responsible enterprise and respect for the rule of law.
Proverbs 21:15 – "When justice is done, it brings joy to the righteous but terror to evildoers."
Leadership Insight
Justice is not neutral - it rewards righteousness and confronts evil. Leaders who execute justice faithfully create cultures where virtue thrives and corruption fears. Moral clarity strengthens societies; moral ambiguity weakens them.
SB 166
Senate 2025
1xSB 166Senate 20251x
Clarifying Legal Status of Oregon State Bar Members by Renaming Them 'Licensees'
With CEA
This bill changes the terminology used in Oregon law from "member" to "licensee" when referring to individuals licensed by the Oregon State Bar. The change updates statutes to reflect this new designation, affecting governance, elections, and procedural rules within the Bar. While largely semantic, this shift clarifies the professional status of attorneys as license holders rather than members of a private organization, reinforcing the Bar's role as a public regulatory entity. The bill passed with strong bipartisan support, indicating broad legislative consensus.
SUPPORT is the CEA Position, based on:
From a faith-based perspective, clarity and truth in language reflect biblical principles of honesty and integrity. Recognizing attorneys as licensees underscores accountability and stewardship of professional responsibilities, aligning with the call to uphold justice and order in society. This measure supports limited government by affirming the public regulatory role of the Bar without expanding its powers or membership obligations.
1 Corinthians 14:40 – "But everything should be done in a fitting and orderly way."
Leadership Insight
Chaos is not creative - it’s costly. God blesses order because He builds through structure. Operational excellence flows when systems honor divine order.
SB 289
Senate 2025
1xSB 289Senate 20251x
Reducing Regulatory Burden by Transitioning Prescription Drug Reporting from Quarterly to Annual
With CEA
This bill modifies the reporting requirements for prescription drug pricing information from the Department of Consumer and Business Services (DCBS) to the Prescription Drug Affordability Board (PDAB), changing the frequency from quarterly to annually. It also adjusts the number of drugs PDAB must identify for affordability concerns and updates reporting on the generic drug market. The bill passed with strong bipartisan support, reflecting a consensus to streamline regulatory processes without expanding government oversight.
SUPPORT is the CEA Position, based on:
From a faith-based perspective, stewardship of resources and limited government intervention are biblical principles that encourage responsible management of public affairs. Reducing unnecessary regulatory burdens respects God-given liberty and promotes economic freedom, allowing employers and markets to operate more efficiently while still providing necessary oversight to protect consumers.
Leviticus 25:10 – "Consecrate the fiftieth year and proclaim liberty throughout the land to all its inhabitants. It shall be a jubilee for you; each of you is to return to your family property and to your own clan."
Leadership Insight
The Year of Jubilee proclaimed economic liberty - restoration of property, cancellation of debts, and freedom from bondage. Economic freedom follows this biblical pattern: protecting property rights, enabling debt relief through bankruptcy rather than permanent servitude, and ensuring families can rebuild wealth across generations. Government policies that permanently trap families in poverty, extract generational wealth through death taxes, or prevent property ownership contradict Jubilee's vision of economic restoration.
SB 295
Senate 2025
2xSB 295Senate 20252x
Safeguarding Healthcare Access by Permanently Allowing Pharmacists to Test and Treat COVID-19
With CEA
This bill makes permanent the authority for pharmacists to assess, diagnose, and treat COVID-19 and certain other health conditions, including prescribing and dispensing related drugs and devices. By codifying this expanded scope of pharmacy practice, the bill enhances healthcare access, reduces burdens on traditional providers, and supports timely treatment options without expanding government mandates or regulations beyond necessary public health needs. Although the House vote was largely partisan, the Senate showed bipartisan support, reflecting recognition of the practical benefits to patients and employers.
SUPPORT is the CEA Position, based on:
From a faith-based perspective, ensuring timely and accessible healthcare honors the biblical call to care for the vulnerable and steward the gifts of health wisely. Empowering pharmacists to serve communities responsibly supports personal responsibility, compassionate care, and the dignity of work within God’s design for healing and service.
Luke 10:34-35 – "He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, brought him to an inn and took care of him. The next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper. 'Look after him,' he said, 'and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have."
Leadership Insight
The Good Samaritan embodies healthcare freedom - personal compassion delivered without government permission, insurance approval, or bureaucratic delay. He bandaged wounds himself, paid directly for care, and promised to cover additional costs. Healthcare freedom means protecting this direct relationship between caregiver and patient. When government mandates and insurance bureaucracies stand between the suffering and those who would help, compassion is delayed, costs explode, and the wounded lie waiting while paperwork processes.
SB 430
Senate 2025
2xSB 430Senate 20252x
Opposing Increased Regulation of Online Pricing Transparency by Mandating Fee Disclosure
Against CEA
This bill prohibits sellers of goods or services online from advertising prices that do not include all fees or charges required to complete a purchase, with exceptions for government-imposed taxes, reasonable shipping or service fees, and fees based on purchaser selections. Violations are treated as unlawful trade practices. The bill imposes additional regulatory burdens on online sellers by mandating detailed upfront price disclosures, expanding government oversight into private commerce. The partisan vote was sharply divided along party lines, with Republicans overwhelmingly opposing and Democrats supporting the bill, reflecting conservative concerns about expanding government control over business practices.
OPPOSE is the CEA Position, based on:
From a faith-based perspective, while honesty in commerce is important, this bill represents an overreach of government authority that burdens honest work and economic freedom. Stewardship calls for limited government that respects personal responsibility and allows free market mechanisms to govern pricing and transactions without excessive mandates.
1 Samuel 8:10-18 – "Samuel told all the words of the Lord to the people who were asking him for a king. He said, 'This is what the king who will reign over you will claim as his rights: He will take your sons and make them serve with his chariots... He will take the best of your fields and vineyards and olive groves and give them to his attendants. He will take a tenth of your grain and of your vintage and give it to his officials and attendants... and you yourselves will become his slaves'"
Leadership Insight
Centralized power always demands sacrifice from the people. God warned Israel that human kings would grow government at the expense of liberty. Limited government protects freedom; expansive government enslaves. Leaders must resist the temptation to control what they should serve.
SB 558
Senate 2025
3xSB 558Senate 20253x
Expanding Marijuana Market Access by Allowing Licensee Sampling and Sales at Temporary Events
Against CEA
This bill allows licensed marijuana producers, processors, wholesalers, and retailers in Oregon to provide samples and conduct sales of marijuana items at temporary events registered with the Oregon Liquor and Cannabis Commission. It permits the transfer and sale of marijuana products between licensees at these events and authorizes producers to provide samples of seeds and immature plants to permitted workers. The bill expands regulatory permissions for marijuana commerce, increasing government oversight and market intervention in a controversial industry. The partisan vote shows strong Democrat support and Republican opposition, reflecting the bill’s alignment with progressive drug policy expansion rather than conservative principles of limited government and personal responsibility.
OPPOSE is the CEA Position, based on:
From a faith-based perspective, this legislation conflicts with biblical principles that call for stewardship of the body and mind, respect for the law, and the promotion of wholesome living. Expanding access to marijuana through government-sanctioned events risks normalizing substance use that can harm individuals, families, and communities. True compassion and justice prioritize protecting vulnerable populations and encouraging personal responsibility rather than expanding government-facilitated access to addictive substances.
Isaiah 55:2 – "Why spend money on what is not bread, and your labor on what does not satisfy? Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good, and you will delight in the richest of fare."
Leadership Insight
God challenges wasteful spending and misdirected labor that produces no lasting value. Economic freedom means the liberty to invest resources in Kingdom purposes without government mandates dictating consumption. Leaders who reduce unnecessary taxation and regulation allow individuals to steward earnings toward what truly satisfies - family, faith, and generational wealth rather than bureaucratic waste.
SB 599
Senate 2025
3xSB 599Senate 20253x
Weakening Property Rights by Prohibiting Landlords from Considering Immigration Status in Tenant Screening
Against CEA
This bill prohibits landlords from inquiring about or discriminating against tenants or applicants based on their immigration or citizenship status, including rejecting applicants for these reasons. Landlords must accept a broad range of identification documents for verifying identity and are barred from disclosing or threatening to disclose immigration status to harass or intimidate tenants. The bill imposes statutory penalties for violations and limits landlords’ ability to consider immigration status in rental decisions, significantly restricting private property rights and landlord discretion.
OPPOSE is the CEA Position, based on:
From a faith-based perspective, stewardship of property and honest contractual relationships are vital. This bill undermines the biblical principle of justice and accountability by imposing government mandates that interfere with property owners’ rights to make prudent decisions. Protecting property rights and respecting lawful authority are essential to maintaining order and dignity in society.
Isaiah 10:1-2 – "Woe to those who make unjust laws, to those who issue oppressive decrees, to deprive the poor of their rights and withhold justice from the oppressed of my people, making widows their prey and robbing the fatherless."
Leadership Insight
God pronounces woe on lawmakers who craft economic policies that oppress the poor through excessive taxation, regulatory barriers to entry, and cronyism that favors the connected over the capable. Economic freedom is justice for the poor - when the working class keeps more of their earnings, when small businesses can compete without crushing compliance costs, and when families can build wealth without government extraction. Unjust economic laws always hit the poor hardest.
SB 605
Senate 2025
3xSB 605Senate 20253x
Weakening Credit Accountability by Prohibiting Medical Debt Reporting to Consumer Agencies
Against CEA
This bill prohibits medical service providers from reporting the existence or amount of medical debt to consumer reporting agencies and bars such agencies from including known medical debt in consumer reports. It also allows individuals to sue violators and treats violations as unlawful trade practices. While framed as consumer protection, this measure undermines economic freedom and employer rights by removing a critical tool for enforcing payment obligations and shifts financial risk onto providers and taxpayers. The partisan vote shows strong Democrat support and near-unanimous Republican opposition, reflecting a divide over expanding government intervention in private credit markets.
OPPOSE is the CEA Position, based on:
From a faith-based perspective, stewardship of resources and honoring contractual obligations are biblical principles that promote justice and accountability. This bill diminishes personal responsibility and undermines the dignity of honest work by shielding medical debt from rightful collection efforts, ultimately burdening providers and honest payers. Protecting economic freedom and transparent credit practices aligns with God-ordained order and fairness.
Luke 16:10-11 – "Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much. So if you have not been trustworthy in handling worldly wealth, who will trust you with true riches?"
Leadership Insight
Jesus connects economic stewardship to spiritual trustworthiness. Economic freedom is built on this principle: individuals who manage small resources faithfully should be trusted with more - not have government confiscate their increase through taxation or redistribute their success. When government punishes productive stewardship through progressive taxation, it contradicts Christ's teaching that faithful management of "very little" qualifies you for "much." Economic freedom rewards faithful stewardship.
SB 685
Senate 2025
2xSB 685Senate 20252x
Increasing Government Control Over Energy Utilities by Mandating Notice and Approval for Hydrogen Blending
Against CEA
This bill requires natural gas utilities to notify customers and the Public Utility Commission (PUC) at least 60 days before increasing the hydrogen blend in natural gas above 2.5 percent for the first time. Utilities must also maintain public information about their hydrogen blending programs online and obtain PUC authorization for hydrogen projects. While framed as transparency, this law expands regulatory oversight and government involvement in energy markets, potentially increasing costs and limiting economic freedom for utilities and consumers. The partisan vote shows strong Democratic support and Republican opposition, reflecting a divide on expanding government control over energy.
OPPOSE is the CEA Position, based on:
From a faith-based perspective, stewardship calls for wise management of resources without unnecessary government interference. While innovation in energy is important, expanding bureaucratic control risks burdening honest work and economic freedom. Limited government that respects personal responsibility best allows communities to flourish while ensuring safety and transparency.
1 Samuel 8:10-18 – "Samuel told all the words of the Lord to the people who were asking him for a king. He said, 'This is what the king who will reign over you will claim as his rights: He will take your sons and make them serve with his chariots... He will take the best of your fields and vineyards and olive groves and give them to his attendants. He will take a tenth of your grain and of your vintage and give it to his officials and attendants... and you yourselves will become his slaves'"
Leadership Insight
Centralized power always demands sacrifice from the people. God warned Israel that human kings would grow government at the expense of liberty. Limited government protects freedom; expansive government enslaves. Leaders must resist the temptation to control what they should serve.
SB 69
Senate 2025
3xSB 69Senate 20253x
Expanding Government Oversight of Paid Family and Medical Leave by Increasing Bureaucratic Regulation
Against CEA
This bill assigns the Bureau of Labor and Industries administrative and regulatory oversight over certain provisions of paid family and medical leave laws, specifically those related to retaliation and discrimination. It mandates the bureau to adopt necessary rules, tolls statutes of limitations during appeals, and permits disclosure of employee wage replacement information to employers. The bill also clarifies qualifying uses of sick leave, modifies notice requirements for family leave, and exempts certain flight crew from eligibility. While the bill passed with bipartisan support, it expands government bureaucracy and regulatory burdens on employers, potentially increasing compliance costs and limiting employer discretion.
OPPOSE is the CEA Position, based on:
From a faith-based perspective, stewardship calls for limited government that respects employer rights and personal responsibility. Expanding administrative oversight risks burdening honest work with excessive regulation, undermining economic freedom and the dignity of providing for one’s family. Government should protect workers from discrimination without imposing unnecessary mandates that expand state power beyond its proper role.
Isaiah 10:1-2 – "Woe to those who make unjust laws, to those who issue oppressive decrees, to deprive the poor of their rights and withhold justice from the oppressed of my people, making widows their prey and robbing the fatherless."
Leadership Insight
God pronounces woe on lawmakers who craft economic policies that oppress the poor through excessive taxation, regulatory barriers to entry, and cronyism that favors the connected over the capable. Economic freedom is justice for the poor - when the working class keeps more of their earnings, when small businesses can compete without crushing compliance costs, and when families can build wealth without government extraction. Unjust economic laws always hit the poor hardest.
SB 74
Senate 2025
3xSB 74Senate 20253x
Expanding State Control Over Waterways by Broadening Navigability Determinations
Against CEA
This bill authorizes the Department of State Lands (DSL) to extend the state's interest in navigable waterways to include current submerged and submersible lands within those waterways. It allows the DSL to negotiate property exchanges with affected landowners, prioritizing state ownership without requiring equal value exchanges, and to convey mineral and geothermal rights in these transactions. If negotiations fail, the state may assert its interest based on common law principles of accretion and avulsion. This expansion of state control increases government intrusion on private property rights and potentially burdens landowners with diminished economic freedom.
OPPOSE is the CEA Position, based on:
From a faith-based perspective, stewardship of private property is a God-given responsibility that should be respected and protected. This bill shifts rightful ownership and control from individuals to the state, undermining the dignity of work and personal responsibility. Limited government that honors property rights aligns with biblical principles of justice and stewardship, whereas expanding state claims threatens economic freedom and individual liberty.
Leviticus 25:10 – "Consecrate the fiftieth year and proclaim liberty throughout the land to all its inhabitants. It shall be a jubilee for you; each of you is to return to your family property and to your own clan."
Leadership Insight
The Year of Jubilee proclaimed economic liberty - restoration of property, cancellation of debts, and freedom from bondage. Economic freedom follows this biblical pattern: protecting property rights, enabling debt relief through bankruptcy rather than permanent servitude, and ensuring families can rebuild wealth across generations. Government policies that permanently trap families in poverty, extract generational wealth through death taxes, or prevent property ownership contradict Jubilee's vision of economic restoration.
SB 808
Senate 2025
1xSB 808Senate 20251x
Supporting Veterans by Providing Hiring and Promotion Preferences in Public Employment
With CEA
This bill provides hiring and promotion preferences in civil service positions within public employment to current and former members of the Oregon National Guard, as well as veterans and disabled veterans. The preferences add points to application screening and examination scores, enhancing the competitiveness of these individuals for public sector jobs. While the preferences do not guarantee appointment, they require public employers to appoint qualified veterans or servicemembers if their adjusted scores meet or exceed those of other applicants. The bill passed unanimously with strong bipartisan support, reflecting broad consensus on honoring military service.
SUPPORT is the CEA Position, based on:
From a faith-based perspective, this legislation honors the biblical principles of justice and stewardship by recognizing the sacrifices made by those who serve in the military. Providing fair consideration to veterans and servicemembers supports the dignity of their service and promotes accountability and gratitude within society. It encourages responsible stewardship of public resources by valuing those who have protected our freedoms and fosters a culture of respect and support for families who have borne the burdens of military duty.
Proverbs 29:2 – "When the righteous thrive, the people rejoice; when the wicked rule, the people groan."
Leadership Insight
Righteous leadership protects workers' freedom to negotiate, associate, and prosper; wicked rulers empower coercive unions, mandate participation, and trap workers in systems that benefit bosses over laborers. Workforce freedom means workers rejoice in opportunity; workforce oppression means workers groan under mandates, dues extraction, and forced representation they never chose.
SB 813
Senate 2025
1xSB 813Senate 20251x
Protecting Public Safety by Authorizing Juvenile Authority Employees to Petition for Communicable Disease Testing
With CEA
This bill expands the list of government employees authorized to petition a circuit court to compel a third party to undergo testing for communicable diseases following significant exposure to blood or bodily fluids. Specifically, it adds employees of the Oregon Youth Authority and county juvenile departments to this list, enabling them to seek court orders when voluntary consent for testing is not obtained. The measure includes procedural safeguards such as ex parte hearings within three judicial days, confidentiality of test results, and cost responsibilities placed on the petitioner's employer. This bipartisan-supported law enhances protections for public employees who face health risks in the course of their duties without expanding government beyond necessary health safeguards.
SUPPORT is the CEA Position, based on:
From a faith-based perspective, protecting the health and safety of those who serve vulnerable populations aligns with the biblical call to care for the well-being of others and to act justly. This legislation supports stewardship of life and health, ensuring responsible measures are taken to prevent harm while respecting individual dignity and privacy. It balances public safety with personal responsibility, reflecting God’s design for justice and compassion in community care.
Psalm 82:3-4 – "Defend the weak and the fatherless; uphold the cause of the poor and the oppressed. Rescue the weak and the needy; deliver them from the hand of the wicked."
Leadership Insight
God commands leaders to defend those who cannot defend themselves. Justice is not passive - it requires intervention. Leaders who ignore the vulnerable betray their calling. Advocacy for the powerless is not optional; it's obedience.
SB 817
Senate 2025
1xSB 817Senate 20251x
Hiking Costs and Restricting Access to Land Use Appeals by Increasing Filing Fees
Against CEA
This bill increases filing fees for notices of intent to appeal and motions to intervene with the Land Use Board of Appeals (LUBA). It also eliminates the prior practice of awarding these fees to respondents when petitioners fail to file a petition for review. While framed as a revenue measure, this fee hike imposes additional financial burdens on individuals and entities seeking to challenge land use decisions, potentially limiting access to justice and increasing government barriers to property rights and land use disputes. The partisan vote shows clear Republican opposition and Democratic support, reflecting concerns about expanding government costs and limiting economic freedom.
OPPOSE is the CEA Position, based on:
From a faith-based perspective, stewardship of resources and justice demand that government not impose undue burdens on citizens seeking to protect their property rights. Excessive fees restrict access to lawful appeals and undermine personal responsibility and fair treatment under the law. Upholding limited government and economic freedom aligns with biblical principles of justice, accountability, and respect for individual dignity.
Isaiah 10:1-2 – "Woe to those who make unjust laws, to those who issue oppressive decrees, to deprive the poor of their rights and withhold justice from the oppressed of my people, making widows their prey and robbing the fatherless."
Leadership Insight
God pronounces woe on lawmakers who craft economic policies that oppress the poor through excessive taxation, regulatory barriers to entry, and cronyism that favors the connected over the capable. Economic freedom is justice for the poor - when the working class keeps more of their earnings, when small businesses can compete without crushing compliance costs, and when families can build wealth without government extraction. Unjust economic laws always hit the poor hardest.
SB 827
Senate 2025
2xSB 827Senate 20252x
Growing Government Control and Costs by Expanding Solar and Energy Storage Rebates
Against CEA
This bill expands Oregon's Solar and Storage Rebate Program to include rebates for energy storage systems paired at installation with previously purchased solar electric systems. The program offers substantial financial incentives to residential customers and low-income service providers, funded by the Rooftop Solar Incentive Fund. By increasing government subsidies for renewable energy equipment, the bill expands state involvement in energy markets, distorts free market competition, and increases regulatory costs ultimately borne by taxpayers and consumers. The partisan vote shows strong Democratic support and Republican opposition, reflecting ideological divides over government intervention in energy.
OPPOSE is the CEA Position, based on:
From a faith-based perspective, stewardship calls for responsible management of resources and respect for economic freedom. Government subsidies that pick winners and losers undermine personal responsibility and free enterprise, while expanding costly programs that shift burdens onto families and businesses. Protecting economic liberty and limiting government overreach aligns with biblical principles of justice, stewardship, and honoring the dignity of honest work.
1 Samuel 8:10-18 – "Samuel told all the words of the Lord to the people who were asking him for a king. He said, 'This is what the king who will reign over you will claim as his rights: He will take your sons and make them serve with his chariots... He will take the best of your fields and vineyards and olive groves and give them to his attendants. He will take a tenth of your grain and of your vintage and give it to his officials and attendants... and you yourselves will become his slaves'"
Leadership Insight
Centralized power always demands sacrifice from the people. God warned Israel that human kings would grow government at the expense of liberty. Limited government protects freedom; expansive government enslaves. Leaders must resist the temptation to control what they should serve.
SB 833
Senate 2025
1xSB 833Senate 20251x
Opposing Increased Regulatory Burdens on Soil-Enhancing Product Labeling
Against CEA
This bill imposes expanded labeling and reporting requirements on soil-enhancing products, including detailed ingredient disclosures, guaranteed analyses, and online public access to product-specific information. While intended to regulate fertilizer and soil amendment products, these mandates increase regulatory complexity and compliance costs for manufacturers and distributors, potentially limiting economic freedom and burdening agricultural businesses with additional government oversight.
OPPOSE is the CEA Position, based on:
From a faith-based perspective, excessive regulation can hinder honest work and stewardship by placing unnecessary burdens on businesses and workers. Limited government that respects personal responsibility and economic freedom best allows individuals and communities to flourish while still prioritizing safety.
Isaiah 10:1-2 – "Woe to those who make unjust laws, to those who issue oppressive decrees, to deprive the poor of their rights and withhold justice from the oppressed of my people, making widows their prey and robbing the fatherless."
Leadership Insight
God pronounces woe on lawmakers who craft economic policies that oppress the poor through excessive taxation, regulatory barriers to entry, and cronyism that favors the connected over the capable. Economic freedom is justice for the poor - when the working class keeps more of their earnings, when small businesses can compete without crushing compliance costs, and when families can build wealth without government extraction. Unjust economic laws always hit the poor hardest.
SB 834
Senate 2025
3xSB 834Senate 20253x
Opposing Government Control Over Mental Health Treatment for Minors by Prohibiting State Hospital Inpatient Care for Those Under 18
Against CEA
This bill prohibits state hospitals from providing inpatient mental health services to individuals under 18 years of age, effectively barring minors from receiving such care in state-run facilities. The legislation also revises criteria related to involuntary civil commitment and modifies administrative roles within state hospitals. Republicans overwhelmingly opposed this bill, with Democrats supporting it along party lines, reflecting a partisan divide over expanding government control in mental health treatment for youth. This restriction limits treatment options for minors and expands government regulation of healthcare services.
OPPOSE is the CEA Position, based on:
From a faith-based perspective, stewardship calls for wise and compassionate care for the vulnerable, including children and youth. However, government overreach that restricts access to necessary care undermines personal responsibility and family authority. Faith teaches the dignity of every person and the importance of parental roles in guiding care decisions, which excessive state control can disrupt, potentially harming families and individuals in need.
Luke 10:34-35 – "He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, brought him to an inn and took care of him. The next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper. 'Look after him,' he said, 'and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have."
Leadership Insight
The Good Samaritan embodies healthcare freedom - personal compassion delivered without government permission, insurance approval, or bureaucratic delay. He bandaged wounds himself, paid directly for care, and promised to cover additional costs. Healthcare freedom means protecting this direct relationship between caregiver and patient. When government mandates and insurance bureaucracies stand between the suffering and those who would help, compassion is delayed, costs explode, and the wounded lie waiting while paperwork processes.
SB 839
Senate 2025
2xSB 839Senate 20252x
Maintaining Balanced Commercial Vehicle Regulations Without Expanding Government Overreach
With CEA
This bill modifies existing laws regulating commercial vehicles, including enforcement requirements and exemptions for certain vehicles and operators. It clarifies penalties for noncompliance with commercial vehicle weight, size, and equipment regulations, distinguishing between traffic violations and misdemeanors. The bill also updates record-keeping and reporting procedures related to convictions and refines exemptions for various vehicle types, such as school buses, taxis, and vehicles used in agriculture or charitable transportation. The bipartisan support in both chambers reflects a consensus on updating regulations without imposing undue burdens on employers or expanding government scope.
SUPPORT is the CEA Position, based on:
From a faith-based perspective, responsible stewardship and respect for lawful authority are essential. This legislation balances the need for public safety and order with limited government intervention, allowing honest work in transportation while ensuring accountability. Upholding clear, fair rules aligns with biblical principles of justice, order, and respect for the dignity of work.
1 Corinthians 14:40 – "But everything should be done in a fitting and orderly way."
Leadership Insight
Chaos is not creative - it’s costly. God blesses order because He builds through structure. Operational excellence flows when systems honor divine order.
SB 846
Senate 2025
2xSB 846Senate 20252x
Expanding Government Control Over Children's Healthcare Coordination
Against CEA
This bill modifies the Oregon Health Authority's oversight of coordinated care organizations (CCOs) by mandating detailed community health improvement plans focused on children and youth. It requires CCOs to collaborate with multiple state programs and school-based health providers, integrate services, and report progress regularly to the state. The law expands government involvement in healthcare planning and funding allocation, increasing bureaucracy and potentially limiting economic freedom and employer flexibility in healthcare delivery.
OPPOSE is the CEA Position, based on:
From a faith-based perspective, while caring for children is a biblical priority, this bill expands government control and central planning in healthcare, which can undermine personal responsibility and stewardship. True compassion empowers families and communities rather than increasing state mandates and oversight.
1 Samuel 8:10-18 – "Samuel told all the words of the Lord to the people who were asking him for a king. He said, 'This is what the king who will reign over you will claim as his rights: He will take your sons and make them serve with his chariots... He will take the best of your fields and vineyards and olive groves and give them to his attendants. He will take a tenth of your grain and of your vintage and give it to his officials and attendants... and you yourselves will become his slaves'"
Leadership Insight
Centralized power always demands sacrifice from the people. God warned Israel that human kings would grow government at the expense of liberty. Limited government protects freedom; expansive government enslaves. Leaders must resist the temptation to control what they should serve.
SB 851
Senate 2025
1xSB 851Senate 20251x
Strengthening Accountability in Public Employee Retirement System by Improving Overpayment Recovery Procedures
With CEA
This bill modifies provisions related to the Public Employees Retirement System (PERS) by enhancing the system's ability to recover overpayments to members or other recipients. It establishes clear procedures for reducing monthly or lump sum payments to recoup overpaid amounts, sets limits on monthly payment reductions without authorization, and requires notice and appeal rights before recovery actions. The bill also raises the threshold for waiving recovery of small overpayments and clarifies timelines and remedies for recovery efforts. These changes promote fiscal responsibility and protect the integrity of public retirement funds while maintaining fairness for recipients.
SUPPORT is the CEA Position, based on:
From a faith-based perspective, stewardship of public resources is a biblical principle that calls for accountability and justice. Ensuring that retirement systems recover improper payments respects the responsible management of communal assets and upholds fairness to all contributors. This legislation balances compassion with prudent oversight, reflecting God-honoring governance that protects both individuals and the common good.
Luke 16:10-11 – "Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much. So if you have not been trustworthy in handling worldly wealth, who will trust you with true riches?"
Leadership Insight
Jesus connects economic stewardship to spiritual trustworthiness. Economic freedom is built on this principle: individuals who manage small resources faithfully should be trusted with more - not have government confiscate their increase through taxation or redistribute their success. When government punishes productive stewardship through progressive taxation, it contradicts Christ's teaching that faithful management of "very little" qualifies you for "much." Economic freedom rewards faithful stewardship.
SB 852
Senate 2025
1xSB 852Senate 20251x
Modifying Public Employee Retirement Death Benefits to Clarify Distributions
With CEA
This bill modifies post-retirement death benefits under the Public Employees Retirement System (PERS) by adjusting lump sum and installment payment options for retirees and their beneficiaries. It increases the minimum lump sum payout threshold for surviving spouses or children of deceased police officers or firefighters from $30 to $200 per month and clarifies beneficiary designations and election rights related to retirement benefit options. The bill passed with strong bipartisan support, reflecting consensus on improving clarity and fairness in retirement benefit administration.
SUPPORT is the CEA Position, based on:
From a faith-based perspective, honoring commitments to public servants and their families reflects stewardship and justice. Ensuring that survivors receive fair and transparent benefits upholds dignity, accountability, and the biblical call to care for those who serve and protect the community.
Proverbs 13:22 – "A good person leaves an inheritance for their children's children, but a sinner's wealth is stored up for the righteous."
Leadership Insight
Generational stewardship reflects Kingdom economics. Leaders who think beyond their tenure create systems that bless future generations. Legacy matters more than immediate gain - righteous wealth builds; selfish wealth burdens.
SB 854
Senate 2025
1xSB 854Senate 20251x
Expanding Government Control Over Animal Racing Through New Civil Penalties
Against CEA
This bill authorizes the Oregon Racing Commission to impose civil penalties of up to $25,000 for violations related to unauthorized wagering and other breaches of animal racing law. The commission is empowered to adopt rules governing these penalties and may reduce or remit fines based on various factors including past compliance and financial conditions. While enforcement of fair practices in regulated industries is important, this bill represents an expansion of government regulatory authority and enforcement power over private economic activities.
OPPOSE is the CEA Position, based on:
From a faith-based perspective, stewardship calls for responsible oversight but also warns against unchecked government expansion that can burden honest enterprise. Protecting economic freedom and limiting regulatory overreach aligns with biblical principles of justice, personal responsibility, and the dignity of work.
1 Samuel 8:10-18 – "Samuel told all the words of the Lord to the people who were asking him for a king. He said, 'This is what the king who will reign over you will claim as his rights: He will take your sons and make them serve with his chariots... He will take the best of your fields and vineyards and olive groves and give them to his attendants. He will take a tenth of your grain and of your vintage and give it to his officials and attendants... and you yourselves will become his slaves'"
Leadership Insight
Centralized power always demands sacrifice from the people. God warned Israel that human kings would grow government at the expense of liberty. Limited government protects freedom; expansive government enslaves. Leaders must resist the temptation to control what they should serve.
SB 857
Senate 2025
1xSB 857Senate 20251x
Weakening Transparency by Shielding Identities of Animal Racing Law Whistleblowers
Against CEA
This bill provides confidentiality protections for individuals who report violations or potential violations of animal racing laws to the Oregon Racing Commission. It ensures that the identity of the reporting person is not subject to public disclosure unless the individual waives this confidentiality. While intended to encourage reporting, the bill reduces transparency and public accountability by shielding whistleblowers’ identities, potentially limiting public oversight of regulatory enforcement.
OPPOSE is the CEA Position, based on:
From a faith-based perspective, accountability and truth are essential for justice and stewardship. While protecting whistleblowers can be important, government policies should balance transparency with individual protections to uphold integrity and trust. This bill, however, prioritizes secrecy over open governance, which can undermine the biblical call for honesty and responsible oversight.
1 Corinthians 4:2 – "Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful."
Leadership Insight
Operational freedom begins with stewardship. God entrusts leaders with resources, influence, and people - not to control them, but to multiply them for His Kingdom. Faithfulness is Heaven’s metric for leadership success.
SB 858
Senate 2025
3xSB 858Senate 20253x
Growing Government Dependency by Expanding Paid Family and Medical Leave Administration
Against CEA
This bill makes technical changes to the administration of Oregon's family and medical leave insurance program, including requiring periodic solvency assessments of the insurance fund and specifying actions to maintain or restore solvency. It clarifies rules on the use of accrued paid leave alongside paid family and medical leave benefits and outlines employer plan approval and employee claim procedures. The bipartisan support in both chambers reflects broad legislative backing, but the program inherently expands government involvement in employer-employee relations, imposes new mandates on businesses, and increases government spending and regulatory oversight.
OPPOSE is the CEA Position, based on:
From a faith-based perspective, while compassion for families is important, government programs that expand dependency and mandate employer contributions risk undermining personal responsibility and economic freedom. Biblical stewardship calls for prudent management of resources and encourages reliance on family and community support rather than government expansion. This bill represents an unwarranted growth of government that burdens employers and restricts economic liberty.
Haggai 1:6 – "You earn wages, only to put them in a purse with holes in it."
Leadership Insight
When priorities drift from purpose, prosperity leaks away. God doesn’t bless motion - He blesses alignment. Economic freedom begins when stewardship follows divine order.
SB 859
Senate 2025
2xSB 859Senate 20252x
Weakening Economic Freedom by Expanding Government Authority to Adjust Paid Family Leave Debts
Against CEA
This bill authorizes the Director of the Employment Department to compromise, reduce, or write off debts, overpayments, penalties, and interest related to the state's paid family and medical leave program. It grants broad discretion to waive amounts, including civil and monetary penalties, and to deem certain delinquent accounts uncollectible based on factors such as employer financial condition and administrative costs. While the bill passed with strong Democratic support and some bipartisan backing, it expands government control over employer financial obligations and increases regulatory discretion, potentially undermining economic freedom and employer accountability.
OPPOSE is the CEA Position, based on:
From a faith-based perspective, stewardship calls for responsible management of resources and honoring commitments. Expanding government authority to forgive debts and penalties risks encouraging dependency and reducing personal responsibility. Upholding fairness and accountability aligns with biblical principles of justice and the dignity of honest work, which this bill compromises by granting excessive regulatory leniency.
Proverbs 11:1 – "The Lord detests dishonest scales, but accurate weights find favor with Him."
Leadership Insight
Integrity in business is not optional - it’s spiritual obedience. Every transaction reflects the character of the Kingdom. Honesty is Heaven’s currency for influence.
SB 864
Senate 2025
1xSB 864Senate 20251x
Strengthening Accountability by Requiring Bonding for Landscape Contractors
With CEA
This bill sets a bonding requirement of $20,000 for applicants seeking a landscape contracting business license or for licensed landscape contracting businesses charging $100,000 or less for jobs, with higher bonds for larger projects. The bond ensures contractors pay taxes, laborers, suppliers, and cover damages from negligent work, providing financial accountability and protection for consumers. While the bill received bipartisan support, it modestly increases regulatory requirements on landscape businesses, slightly expanding government oversight but promoting responsible business practices.
SUPPORT is the CEA Position, based on:
From a faith-based perspective, stewardship calls for accountability and justice in all labor. Ensuring that businesses meet financial obligations to workers and clients reflects biblical principles of fairness, honesty, and caring for the vulnerable. This measure supports responsible enterprise and protects the dignity of work by fostering trust and integrity in the marketplace.
Luke 16:10-11 – "Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much. So if you have not been trustworthy in handling worldly wealth, who will trust you with true riches?"
Leadership Insight
Jesus connects economic stewardship to spiritual trustworthiness. Economic freedom is built on this principle: individuals who manage small resources faithfully should be trusted with more - not have government confiscate their increase through taxation or redistribute their success. When government punishes productive stewardship through progressive taxation, it contradicts Christ's teaching that faithful management of "very little" qualifies you for "much." Economic freedom rewards faithful stewardship.
SB 867
Senate 2025
2xSB 867Senate 20252x
Strengthening Accountability in Education by Expanding Department of Education Sanctions for Discrimination Violations
With CEA
This bill expands the powers of the Department of Education to impose sanctions on elementary and secondary schools, including public charter schools, found to be in noncompliance with discrimination prohibitions. Sanctions may include policy revisions, training, reimbursement to affected students, and withholding of state funding. The bill also clarifies investigation procedures related to abuse and sexual conduct in schools, extends the scope of investigations to include contractors and volunteers within two years prior to alleged misconduct, and modifies standards for determining when a school district is involved in religious activity. The bill passed with strong bipartisan support in the Senate but faced opposition primarily from Republicans in the House, reflecting concerns about expanded government oversight in education.
SUPPORT is the CEA Position, based on:
From a faith-based perspective, this legislation promotes justice and accountability within educational institutions, ensuring that all students are treated fairly and protected from discrimination. Upholding these standards aligns with biblical principles of dignity, stewardship, and the protection of the vulnerable, while maintaining appropriate limits on government power to respect religious freedoms and parental rights.
Proverbs 21:15 – "When justice is done, it brings joy to the righteous but terror to evildoers."
Leadership Insight
Justice is not neutral - it rewards righteousness and confronts evil. Leaders who execute justice faithfully create cultures where virtue thrives and corruption fears. Moral clarity strengthens societies; moral ambiguity weakens them.
SB 870
Senate 2025
1xSB 870Senate 20251x
Protecting Privacy of OLCC Permit Holders by Exempting Personal Contact Information from Public Disclosure
With CEA
This bill exempts from public records disclosure the residential address and personal phone number of individuals who hold certain permits issued by the Oregon Liquor and Cannabis Commission (OLCC). While maintaining transparency for premises and operational plans, the bill protects sensitive personal information from public exposure, except when requested by law enforcement. This measure balances privacy rights with public safety and limits government overreach into private data.
SUPPORT is the CEA Position, based on:
From a faith-based perspective, protecting the privacy and dignity of individuals aligns with biblical principles of respecting personal boundaries and stewardship of one’s own household. Safeguarding personal information honors God-given liberty and promotes justice by preventing unnecessary intrusion into private lives.
Psalm 82:3-4 – "Defend the weak and the fatherless; uphold the cause of the poor and the oppressed. Rescue the weak and the needy; deliver them from the hand of the wicked."
Leadership Insight
God commands leaders to defend those who cannot defend themselves. Justice is not passive - it requires intervention. Leaders who ignore the vulnerable betray their calling. Advocacy for the powerless is not optional; it's obedience.
SB 871
Senate 2025
1xSB 871Senate 20251x
Strengthening Accountability by Requiring Retail Licensees to Maintain Alcohol Delivery Invoices
With CEA
This bill requires retail licensees under the Oregon Liquor and Cannabis Commission (OLCC) to maintain invoices for all alcoholic beverage deliveries for three years and make them available for inspection. It also clarifies the definition of "alcoholic beverages" to include items with at least one-half of one percent alcohol by volume and removes certain reporting requirements to the commission. While the bill received bipartisan support, it modestly increases regulatory recordkeeping burdens on businesses but enhances transparency and accountability in alcohol distribution.
SUPPORT is the CEA Position, based on:
From a faith-based perspective, stewardship and accountability are biblical principles that call for responsible management of resources and honest dealings. This legislation promotes justice and order by ensuring lawful commerce and protecting communities from illicit activities, aligning with the call to uphold integrity and respect for civil authority.
1 Corinthians 4:2 – "Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful."
Leadership Insight
Operational freedom begins with stewardship. God entrusts leaders with resources, influence, and people - not to control them, but to multiply them for His Kingdom. Faithfulness is Heaven’s metric for leadership success.
SB 872
Senate 2025
2xSB 872Senate 20252x
Expanding State Regulatory Authority Over Funeral and Cemetery Industry Practices
Against CEA
This bill modifies the State Mortuary and Cemetery Board's authority to impose disciplinary actions on applicants and licensees within the funeral, embalming, and cemetery industries. It broadens the scope of prohibited acts, increases potential civil penalties up to $5,000 per violation, and clarifies procedures for emergency suspensions and cease-and-desist orders. While protecting consumer interests in sensitive death care services is important, expanding regulatory power and penalties risks increasing government overreach and burdens on employers in this sector.
OPPOSE is the CEA Position, based on:
From a faith-based perspective, stewardship calls for justice and accountability in all professions, including those serving families in times of grief. However, government authority must be exercised with restraint and fairness, respecting the dignity of honest work and avoiding unnecessary expansion of regulatory power that could hinder economic freedom and personal responsibility.
Isaiah 10:1-2 – "Woe to those who make unjust laws, to those who issue oppressive decrees, to deprive the poor of their rights and withhold justice from the oppressed of my people, making widows their prey and robbing the fatherless."
Leadership Insight
God pronounces woe on lawmakers who craft economic policies that oppress the poor through excessive taxation, regulatory barriers to entry, and cronyism that favors the connected over the capable. Economic freedom is justice for the poor - when the working class keeps more of their earnings, when small businesses can compete without crushing compliance costs, and when families can build wealth without government extraction. Unjust economic laws always hit the poor hardest.
SB 904
Senate 2025
1xSB 904Senate 20251x
Expanding Economic Freedom by Allowing School Districts to Apply for Self-Insurance Exemptions
With CEA
This bill allows school districts to apply for an exemption from the requirement that self-insured employers demonstrate financial viability and provide security to the Director of the Department of Consumer and Business Services. By including school districts among those eligible for this exemption, the bill reduces regulatory burdens and administrative costs for these public entities, potentially increasing their operational flexibility and economic freedom.
SUPPORT is the CEA Position, based on:
From a faith-based perspective, stewardship calls for responsible management of resources and limited government interference. Allowing school districts to self-insure without onerous financial guarantees respects prudent stewardship and promotes efficient use of public funds, aligning with biblical principles of wise resource management and accountability.
Leviticus 25:10 – "Consecrate the fiftieth year and proclaim liberty throughout the land to all its inhabitants. It shall be a jubilee for you; each of you is to return to your family property and to your own clan."
Leadership Insight
The Year of Jubilee proclaimed economic liberty - restoration of property, cancellation of debts, and freedom from bondage. Economic freedom follows this biblical pattern: protecting property rights, enabling debt relief through bankruptcy rather than permanent servitude, and ensuring families can rebuild wealth across generations. Government policies that permanently trap families in poverty, extract generational wealth through death taxes, or prevent property ownership contradict Jubilee's vision of economic restoration.
SB 905
Senate 2025
1xSB 905Senate 20251x
Reducing Government Burden by Eliminating Redundant Reporting Requirements in School Safety Plans
With CEA
This bill removes redundant reporting requirements under the Healthy and Safe Schools Plan, streamlining the process by which school districts, education service districts, and public charter schools share testing results and annual statements with the public. It maintains transparency by requiring timely public posting of test results and annual statements on school websites and electronic communication to staff, students, and parents, but eliminates the obligation to provide printed copies at administrative offices. The bill passed unanimously with strong bipartisan support, reflecting broad agreement on reducing unnecessary government paperwork while preserving essential public access to safety information.
SUPPORT is the CEA Position, based on:
From a faith-based perspective, stewardship of resources calls for eliminating wasteful administrative burdens that do not enhance accountability or protect families. This legislation promotes responsible governance by focusing on meaningful transparency and respecting the dignity of work performed by educators and administrators. It aligns with biblical principles of justice and accountability by ensuring vital safety information remains accessible without imposing excessive government mandates.
Isaiah 55:2 – "Why spend money on what is not bread, and your labor on what does not satisfy? Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good, and you will delight in the richest of fare."
Leadership Insight
God challenges wasteful spending and misdirected labor that produces no lasting value. Economic freedom means the liberty to invest resources in Kingdom purposes without government mandates dictating consumption. Leaders who reduce unnecessary taxation and regulation allow individuals to steward earnings toward what truly satisfies - family, faith, and generational wealth rather than bureaucratic waste.
SB 906
Senate 2025
2xSB 906Senate 20252x
Growing Government Control by Mandating Employer Wage Deduction Explanations
Against CEA
This bill requires employers to provide all employees, at the time of hire, with a detailed written explanation of earnings and deductions shown on pay stubs. Employers must update this information annually and may face civil penalties for noncompliance. While transparency in pay is important, this mandate expands government regulation over employer-employee relations, imposes additional administrative burdens, and restricts employer flexibility. The partisan vote shows strong Democrat support and near-unanimous Republican opposition, reflecting a clear ideological divide on expanding labor regulations.
OPPOSE is the CEA Position, based on:
From a faith-based perspective, stewardship calls for responsible management of resources and honest communication. However, excessive government mandates that increase regulatory burdens undermine economic freedom and employer rights, potentially hindering the dignity of work and personal responsibility. Faith encourages transparency and fairness but also supports limited government that respects the liberty of employers and employees to manage their affairs without undue interference.
Isaiah 10:1-2 – "Woe to those who make unjust laws, to those who issue oppressive decrees, to deprive the poor of their rights and withhold justice from the oppressed of my people, making widows their prey and robbing the fatherless."
Leadership Insight
God pronounces woe on lawmakers who craft economic policies that oppress the poor through excessive taxation, regulatory barriers to entry, and cronyism that favors the connected over the capable. Economic freedom is justice for the poor - when the working class keeps more of their earnings, when small businesses can compete without crushing compliance costs, and when families can build wealth without government extraction. Unjust economic laws always hit the poor hardest.
SB 916
Senate 2025
3xSB 916Senate 20253x
Weakening Economic Freedom by Expanding Unemployment Benefits During Labor Disputes
Against CEA
This bill repeals the longstanding disqualification of unemployment insurance (UI) benefits for individuals unemployed due to active labor disputes, such as strikes. While it maintains a one-week unpaid waiting period for striking workers, it allows them to collect benefits for up to eight to ten additional weeks depending on the UI tax schedule. The bill also includes provisions for repayment of overpaid benefits if back pay is later received and mandates wage deductions by school districts to recoup benefits paid during labor disputes. This expansion increases government costs, undermines employer rights, and encourages prolonged labor disputes by reducing the financial consequences for striking workers. The partisan vote was strictly along party lines, with Republicans uniformly opposing and Democrats supporting, reflecting a clear ideological divide on labor and economic freedom.
OPPOSE is the CEA Position, based on:
From a faith-based perspective, stewardship calls for responsible use of resources and respect for the dignity of work. Encouraging prolonged labor disputes through expanded government benefits undermines personal responsibility and economic freedom, placing undue burdens on employers and taxpayers. Biblical principles emphasize justice, accountability, and the value of honest labor, which this bill compromises by subsidizing strikes and expanding government intervention in employer-employee relations.
Proverbs 10:4 – "Lazy hands make for poverty, but diligent hands bring wealth."
Leadership Insight
God blesses action, not apathy. Diligence is not busyness; it’s focused obedience to your calling. Prosperity follows stewardship, not luck.
SB 951
Senate 2025
3xSB 951Senate 20253x
Weakening Economic Freedom and Employer Rights by Restricting Management Services Organizations in Healthcare
Against CEA
This bill prohibits management services organizations (MSOs) and their affiliates from owning, controlling, or managing professional medical entities with which they contract for management services. It voids noncompetition, nondisclosure, and nondisparagement agreements between MSOs and medical professionals, preventing retaliation against medical professionals who speak out. The law aims to prevent for-profit entities from exerting control over medical decisions or operations, but it also imposes significant restrictions on private business arrangements and employer rights. The partisan vote shows strong Republican opposition and Democratic support, indicating a clear ideological divide on limiting economic freedom in healthcare.
OPPOSE is the CEA Position, based on:
From a faith-based perspective, stewardship of resources and economic freedom are essential to honoring God-given liberty and human dignity. This bill undermines personal responsibility and employer rights by expanding government control over private business relationships and restricting free speech through voiding contracts. Protecting the integrity of medical judgment is important, but it must not come at the expense of economic freedom and the rights of employers and workers to enter lawful agreements.
Isaiah 10:1-2 – "Woe to those who make unjust laws, to those who issue oppressive decrees, to deprive the poor of their rights and withhold justice from the oppressed of my people, making widows their prey and robbing the fatherless."
Leadership Insight
God pronounces woe on lawmakers who craft economic policies that oppress the poor through excessive taxation, regulatory barriers to entry, and cronyism that favors the connected over the capable. Economic freedom is justice for the poor - when the working class keeps more of their earnings, when small businesses can compete without crushing compliance costs, and when families can build wealth without government extraction. Unjust economic laws always hit the poor hardest.
SB 952
Senate 2025
2xSB 952Senate 20252x
Weakening Electoral Accountability by Mandating Gubernatorial Appointment of U.S. Senators
Against CEA
This bill requires the Governor to appoint a replacement U.S. Senator when a vacancy occurs, with the appointee required to be from the same political party as the departing Senator. The Governor is prohibited from appointing themselves and must call a special election within a specified timeframe, with the appointment ending once a successor is elected. While the bill establishes a process for filling Senate vacancies, it centralizes significant appointment power in the executive branch, reducing direct voter influence and expanding government control over federal representation.
OPPOSE is the CEA Position, based on:
From a faith-based perspective, governance should reflect accountability and the consent of the governed, honoring the dignity and responsibility entrusted to citizens. Concentrating appointment power in the Governor undermines the biblical principles of justice and stewardship by diminishing the people's voice in choosing their representatives and expanding government authority beyond its proper limits.
Deuteronomy 16:18-20 – "Appoint judges and officials for each of your tribes in every town the Lord your God is giving you, and they shall judge the people fairly. Do not pervert justice or show partiality. Do not accept a bribe, for a bribe blinds the eyes of the wise and twists the words of the innocent. Follow justice and justice alone, so that you may live and possess the land the Lord your God is giving you."
Leadership Insight
Moses commands impartial justice - judges who follow "justice alone" without showing partiality. First Freedom depends on courts that protect religious liberty impartially, without favoring secular ideology over sincere faith. When judges show partiality against religious conviction, accepting the cultural bribes of elite approval, they pervert the justice God demands. First Freedom requires judges who fear God more than cultural pressure.
SB 97
Senate 2025
2xSB 97Senate 20252x
Growing Government Spending and Fees by Expanding Funding and Reporting Requirements for Family Law Services
Against CEA
This bill directs county treasurers and presiding judges to prepare and submit detailed quarterly and annual financial reports on conciliation and mediation accounts related to family law services. It authorizes counties to increase fees on marriage licenses and domestic partnership registrations by up to $35, indexed to inflation, to fund these services. While transparency in government spending is important, this measure expands government fees on families and increases bureaucratic oversight, thereby growing government scope and financial burdens on citizens.
OPPOSE is the CEA Position, based on:
From a faith-based perspective, stewardship calls for prudent management of resources and limited government interference in family matters. While supporting reconciliation aligns with biblical values, imposing higher fees and expanding government control risks burdening families and undermining personal responsibility. Government should support, not hinder, the dignity and integrity of the family unit.
1 Samuel 8:10-18 – "Samuel told all the words of the Lord to the people who were asking him for a king. He said, 'This is what the king who will reign over you will claim as his rights: He will take your sons and make them serve with his chariots... He will take the best of your fields and vineyards and olive groves and give them to his attendants. He will take a tenth of your grain and of your vintage and give it to his officials and attendants... and you yourselves will become his slaves'"
Leadership Insight
Centralized power always demands sacrifice from the people. God warned Israel that human kings would grow government at the expense of liberty. Limited government protects freedom; expansive government enslaves. Leaders must resist the temptation to control what they should serve.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Sen. Michael Dembrow's voting record?
Sen. Michael Dembrow (D-OR-23) earned a 35% Christian Employers Alliance score for 2025, showing limited alignment with biblical business policy positions. Michael Dembrow voted on 43 of the 43 substantive bills scored by CEA in 2025. Highest category scores: First Freedom (100%), Operational Freedom (53%), and Healthcare Freedom (38%). Michael Dembrow represents the 23rd District in the Oregon State Senate.
How aligned is Michael Dembrow with biblical business policy positions?
Michael Dembrow earned a 35% Christian Employers Alliance score in 2025, showing limited alignment with biblical business policy positions.
What is Michael Dembrow's CEA score?
Michael Dembrow has a 35% CEA score for 2025.
Where does Michael Dembrow serve?
Sen. Michael Dembrow (D-OR-23) represents the 23rd District in the Oregon State Senate as a Democrat.
What issue categories does Michael Dembrow score highest and lowest on?
Michael Dembrow's strongest categories on the Christian Employers Alliance scorecard are First Freedom (100%) and Operational Freedom (53%). The lowest-scoring categories are Workforce Freedom (10%) and Economic Freedom (31%).
