OregonOregon directs grants for small businesses facing tariff costs
Oregon’s law directs the state to set up conditional grants for small businesses facing tariff costs and to update its strategy for international trade.
What it does
Oregon’s Business Development Department must establish a grant program for small businesses facing significant cost increases from recent federal tariffs. Approved applicants may receive up to $10,000, with grant and program spending limits raised through June 30, 2027.
The department must update Oregon’s trade strategy with partner agencies and other selected groups. The strategy covers foreign markets, trade missions, exports, foreign investment, and help for exporters, including those affected by tariffs.
Argument forEligible small businesses could receive up to $10,000 to help cover significant cost increases caused by recent federal tariffs.
Argument againstBusinesses could be denied a grant with no appeal, which may leave an eligible business without help unless it applies again.
More detail
The Oregon Business Development Department must establish a program that may award grants to eligible small businesses. A business must have its headquarters or main operations in Oregon, have operated for at least two years when it applies, and have annual sales of $500,000 or less. A business must show a significant increase in costs due to recent federal tariffs. The law raises the department’s spending limits by $950,000 for grants and $235,846 for program operations for the two-year period ending June 30, 2027. The department sets application rules and deadlines. An approved application may receive up to $10,000; a rejected application cannot be appealed, but the business may apply again. The grant program is repealed on January 2, 2029.
The Oregon Business Development Department must update the state’s unified trade strategy. The strategy includes ways to reach foreign markets, support trade missions, promote exports, attract foreign investment, and help Oregon exporters, including those affected by tariffs, reach international markets and expand. The department must work with the Port of Portland, the Oregon Tourism Commission, the State Department of Agriculture, and other partners it selects.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed House
- Passed Senate
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- Apr 6Chapter 39, (2026 Laws): Effective date March 31, 2026.Latest
- Mar 31Governor Tina Kotek signed.Became Law
- Mar 10President signed.Major
- Mar 10Speaker signed.Major
- Mar 6Third reading. Carried by McLane. Passed.Passed Senate
- Vote recorded Third reading. Carried by McLane. Passed. Result: pass.Upper
- Mar 5Second reading.Minor
- Mar 5Recommendation: Do pass the B-Eng. bill.Minor
- Mar 4Referred to Ways and Means.Minor
- Mar 4First reading. Referred to President's desk.Minor
- Mar 3Third reading. Carried by Nguyen D. Passed.Passed House
- Vote recorded Third reading. Carried by Nguyen D. Passed. Result: pass.Lower
- Mar 2Second reading.Minor
- Feb 28Recommendation: Do pass with amendments and be printed B-Engrossed.Minor
- Feb 27Work Session held.
- Vote recorded Heard and Reported Out with Amendments. Result: pass.Legislature
- Feb 26Returned to Full Committee.
- Feb 26Work Session held.
- Feb 23Assigned to Subcommittee On Transportation and Economic Development.Minor
- Feb 16Referred to Ways and Means by prior reference.Minor
- Feb 16Recommendation: Do pass with amendments, be printed A-Engrossed, and be referred to Ways and Means by prior reference.Minor
- Feb 11Work Session held.
- Vote recorded Heard and Reported Out with Amendments. Result: pass.Lower
- Feb 9Public Hearing held.
- Feb 2Public Hearing held.
- Feb 2Referred to Economic Development, Small Business, and Trade with subsequent referral to Ways and Means.Minor
- Feb 2First reading. Referred to Speaker's desk.Introduced
Economy & JobsTrade