Oregon Law Center
Oregon Law Center#
Oregon Law Center (OLC) is a nonprofit legal aid organization headquartered in Portland, Oregon, that provides free civil legal services to low-income Oregonians. Its mission is to achieve justice for the low-income communities of Oregon by providing a full range of high-quality civil legal services.1 OLC operates client service offices in 11 communities across the state, serving all 36 Oregon counties as part of a coordinated statewide legal aid system alongside Legal Aid Services of Oregon and the Center for Nonprofit Legal Services.2
Housing is one of OLC’s primary practice areas. The organization provides legal assistance on fair housing, government-subsidized housing, landlord-tenant law, and issues related to homelessness.1 OLC is an active participant in Oregon legislative debates on tenant protections, rent stabilization, eviction procedures, and housing affordability. In early 2021, OLC launched its Eviction Defense Project, which provides free legal representation to low-income tenants facing eviction across the state and has assisted close to 10,000 households since its inception.3
Policy Positions#
- Rent stabilization: Supports caps on annual rent increases to prevent housing instability for low-income tenants. Advocated for SB 608 (2019), Oregon’s first statewide rent control law, and later supported SB 611 (2023) to tighten the rent increase cap formula after arguing that the original formula resulted in destabilizing 14.6% increases.4
- Eviction protections: Supports for-cause eviction standards and expanded notice periods, arguing that no-cause evictions disproportionately harm communities of color, single women with children, seniors, and people with disabilities.5
- Tenant screening reform: Supports restrictions on landlord use of criminal history in tenant screening and limits on applicant screening charges, testifying in favor of SB 291 (2021) and HB 2967 (2025).6
- Eviction defense funding: Advocates for state and local funding of legal representation for tenants in eviction proceedings, emphasizing that legal counsel significantly reduces displacement of low-income renters.3
- Emergency shelter and homelessness protections: Supports legislation requiring local governments to allow emergency shelter siting and establishing reasonableness standards for regulation of people experiencing homelessness on public property.7
- Tenant portal protections: Supports requirements that landlords provide alternatives to electronic tenant portals and prohibitions on mandatory digital-only rent payment, citing cases where technological failures nearly caused tenants to lose their housing.8
Key Legislative Involvement#
- SB 1523 (2026): Testified in support of legislation requiring landlords to provide alternatives to tenant portals for rent payment and common area access, submitting multiple rounds of testimony.8
- HB 2138 (2025): Testified on this major middle housing expansion bill, which expanded allowable middle housing types and reformed expedited land division provisions.9
- SB 722 (2025): Testified on legislation to prohibit landlords from using algorithmic software to set rents and to reduce the new-construction rent cap exemption from 15 to 7 years.10
- SB 611 (2023): Testified in support of tightening the annual rent increase cap for residential tenancies, with both Sybil Hebb and Becky Straus providing testimony across multiple hearings.4
- SB 291 (2021): Testified in support of tenant screening reform legislation requiring landlords to adopt written screening criteria and limiting consideration of criminal history in housing applications.6
- SB 278 (2021): Testified in support of legislation requiring landlords and courts to delay eviction proceedings when tenants have applied for rental assistance during the COVID-19 emergency period.11
- HB 2009 (2021): Testified in support of temporary limitations on foreclosure remedies to protect homeowners and renters during the COVID-19 pandemic.12
- HB 2006 (2021): Testified in support of emergency shelter siting requirements and expanded transitional housing accommodations.7
- HB 3115 (2021): Testified in support of establishing reasonableness standards for local regulation of people experiencing homelessness on public property.13
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Oregon sees a rise in eviction filings, but rent assistance programs are working - Oregon Capital Chronicle ↩︎ ↩︎
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For Cause Terminations, Rent Control, and Sealing Eviction Records: New Oregon Tenant Protections - Oregon State Bar Consumer Law Section ↩︎
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OLIS testimony records, SB 291 (2021) and HB 2967 (2025) ↩︎ ↩︎
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Oregon housing bill tries to reduce rental barriers for older adults - Oregon Capital Chronicle ↩︎ ↩︎
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OLIS testimony records, HB 2138 (2025) ↩︎
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OLIS testimony records, SB 722 (2025) ↩︎
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OLIS testimony records, SB 278 (2021) ↩︎
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OLIS testimony records, HB 2009 (2021) ↩︎
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OLIS testimony records, HB 3115 (2021) ↩︎
News Coverage
| Article | Source | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Oregon’s Housing Crisis Burdens Nearly Half of the State’s Renters | Willamette Week | February 19, 2026 |
Legislative Testimony
2026
9 testimonies
| Bill | Name | Position | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| HB 4123 Limits the circumstances under which a landlord may disclose confidential information. |
Sybil Hebb | Support | 2026-02-24 |
| HB 4123 Limits the circumstances under which a landlord may disclose confidential information. |
Sybil Hebb | Support | 2026-02-23 |
| SB 1523 Defines "tenant portal" for the purposes of residential tenancies. |
Sybil Hebb | Support | 2026-02-18 |
| SB 1523 Defines "tenant portal" for the purposes of residential tenancies. |
Sybil Hebb | Support | 2026-02-18 |
| HB 4128 Prohibits covered entities from purchasing, acquiring or offering to purchase or acquire a single-family residence unless the residence has been listed for sale to the general public for at least 90 days. |
Sybil Hebb | Support | 2026-02-10 |
| HB 4149 Directs school districts to adopt policies that provide for the immediate enrollment, school placement and provision of services to homeless students. |
Sybil Hebb | Support | 2026-02-09 |
| HB 4123 Limits the circumstances under which a landlord may disclose confidential information. |
Sybil Hebb | Support | 2026-02-05 |
| SB 1523 Defines "tenant portal" for the purposes of residential tenancies. |
Sybil Hebb | Support | 2026-02-03 |
| SB 1523 Defines "tenant portal" for the purposes of residential tenancies. |
Sybil Hebb | Support | 2026-02-02 |
2025
31 testimonies
| Bill | Name | Position | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| HB 3974 Limits the applicant screening charge a residential landlord may collect to $20. |
Sybil Hebb | Support | 2025-06-01 |
| HB 3054 Fixes at six percent maximum rent increases for rental spaces in a larger facility beginning in 2026. |
Sybil Hebb | Support | 2025-05-07 |
| HB 3054 Fixes at six percent maximum rent increases for rental spaces in a larger facility beginning in 2026. |
Sybil Hebb | Support | 2025-05-07 |
| HB 3054 Fixes at six percent maximum rent increases for rental spaces in a larger facility beginning in 2026. |
Sybil Hebb | Support | 2025-05-07 |
| SB 599 Prohibits landlords from inquiring about or discriminating on the basis of a tenant's or applicant's immigration or citizenship status, rejecting an applicant based on the type of identifying documentation or disclosing or threatening disclosure of an applicant's or a tenant's immigration or citizenship status for improper purposes. |
Sybil Hebb | Support | 2025-04-22 |
| SB 599 Prohibits landlords from inquiring about or discriminating on the basis of a tenant's or applicant's immigration or citizenship status, rejecting an applicant based on the type of identifying documentation or disclosing or threatening disclosure of an applicant's or a tenant's immigration or citizenship status for improper purposes. |
Sybil Hebb | Support | 2025-04-22 |
| SB 599 Prohibits landlords from inquiring about or discriminating on the basis of a tenant's or applicant's immigration or citizenship status, rejecting an applicant based on the type of identifying documentation or disclosing or threatening disclosure of an applicant's or a tenant's immigration or citizenship status for improper purposes. |
Sybil Hebb | Support | 2025-04-22 |
| SB 599 Prohibits landlords from inquiring about or discriminating on the basis of a tenant's or applicant's immigration or citizenship status, rejecting an applicant based on the type of identifying documentation or disclosing or threatening disclosure of an applicant's or a tenant's immigration or citizenship status for improper purposes. |
Sybil Hebb | Support | 2025-04-22 |
| HB 2134 Allows tenant to terminate a tenancy during the fixed term without penalty upon 30 days' notice if the landlord delivers certain notices terminating the tenancy in 90 days or more. |
sybil hebb | Support | 2025-04-18 |
| SB 586 Allows a landlord to pay a tenant one month's rent to reduce from 90 to 60 days the termination notice period that a landlord must give the tenant when selling the dwelling unit to buyers who intend to reside in the unit. |
sybil hebb | Neutral | 2025-04-16 |
| SB 586 Allows a landlord to pay a tenant one month's rent to reduce from 90 to 60 days the termination notice period that a landlord must give the tenant when selling the dwelling unit to buyers who intend to reside in the unit. |
sybil hebb | Neutral | 2025-04-16 |
| SB 999 Modifies the definition of "farmworker camp" so that the relevant statutes apply to farmworker camps specifically in connection with workers who work on a seasonal or temporary basis. |
Martha Sonato | Oppose | 2025-04-10 |
| SB 999 Modifies the definition of "farmworker camp" so that the relevant statutes apply to farmworker camps specifically in connection with workers who work on a seasonal or temporary basis. |
Martha Sonato | Oppose | 2025-04-04 |
| SB 999 Modifies the definition of "farmworker camp" so that the relevant statutes apply to farmworker camps specifically in connection with workers who work on a seasonal or temporary basis. |
Martha Sonato | Oppose | 2025-04-03 |
| HB 5011 Appropriates moneys from the General Fund to the Housing and Community Services Department for biennial expenses. |
Sybil Hebb | Support | 2025-03-28 |
| HB 5011 Appropriates moneys from the General Fund to the Housing and Community Services Department for biennial expenses. |
Martha Sonato | Support | 2025-03-27 |
| SB 722 Prohibits residential landlords from using certain software to set rents or occupancy rates. |
Sybil Hebb | Support | 2025-03-26 |
| SB 54 Requires that residential tenants be provided with indoor cooling or cooling spaces for multiunit buildings with 10 units or more. |
Sybil Hebb | Support | 2025-03-18 |
| SB 599 Prohibits landlords from inquiring about or discriminating on the basis of a tenant's or applicant's immigration or citizenship status, rejecting an applicant based on the type of identifying documentation or disclosing or threatening disclosure of an applicant's or a tenant's immigration or citizenship status for improper purposes. |
Sybil Hebb | Support | 2025-03-05 |
| SB 599 Prohibits landlords from inquiring about or discriminating on the basis of a tenant's or applicant's immigration or citizenship status, rejecting an applicant based on the type of identifying documentation or disclosing or threatening disclosure of an applicant's or a tenant's immigration or citizenship status for improper purposes. |
Sybil Hebb | Support | 2025-03-05 |
| SB 599 Prohibits landlords from inquiring about or discriminating on the basis of a tenant's or applicant's immigration or citizenship status, rejecting an applicant based on the type of identifying documentation or disclosing or threatening disclosure of an applicant's or a tenant's immigration or citizenship status for improper purposes. |
Sybil Hebb | Support | 2025-03-05 |
| SB 973 Requires a landlord of publicly supported housing to provide all applicants and new tenants notice of when the affordability restrictions may be terminated. |
Sybil Hebb | Support | 2025-03-03 |
| HB 2138 Expands allowable middle housing and expands middle housing requirements to include urban unincorporated lands. |
Sybil Hebb | Support | 2025-03-03 |
| SB 31 Authorizes the Housing and Community Services Department to provide grants to support tenants of publicly supported housing when the housing's affordability restrictions are terminated. |
Sybil Hebb | Support | 2025-03-03 |
| SB 32 Requires the Housing and Community Services Department to post information about publicly supported housing on the department's webpage. |
Sybil Hebb | Support | 2025-03-03 |
| SB 426 Makes an owner and a direct contractor jointly and severally liable in a civil action for any unpaid wages owed to the unrepresented employees of the direct contractor and subcontractors at any tier. |
Martha Sonato | Support | 2025-02-26 |
| HB 3644 Requires the Housing and Community Services Department to establish a statewide shelter program through which regional coordinators are selected to administer funding to shelter providers. |
Sybil Hebb | Support | 2025-02-25 |
| HB 3644 Requires the Housing and Community Services Department to establish a statewide shelter program through which regional coordinators are selected to administer funding to shelter providers. |
Sybil Hebb | Support | 2025-02-25 |
| HB 2967 Prohibits residential landlords from charging an applicant screening charge. |
Sybil Hebb | Support | 2025-02-18 |
| HB 2134 Allows tenant to terminate a tenancy during the fixed term without penalty upon 30 days' notice if the landlord delivers certain notices terminating the tenancy in 90 days or more. |
Sybil Hebb | Support | 2025-02-17 |
| HB 2305 Allows a landlord to terminate residential tenancy upon third material violation or late payment upon 30 days' notice with no right to cure. |
Sybil Hebb | Oppose | 2025-02-17 |
2024
6 testimonies
| Bill | Name | Position | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| HB 4056 Requires counties to establish a process for handling the surplus proceeds from property tax lien foreclosure sales. |
Sybil Hebb | Support | 2024-03-06 |
| HB 4056 Requires counties to establish a process for handling the surplus proceeds from property tax lien foreclosure sales. |
Sybil Hebb | Oppose | 2024-02-16 |
| SB 1530 Appropriates moneys to and modifies expenditure limitations for the Housing and Community Services Department, Oregon Health Authority, Department of Human Services, State Department of Energy, Oregon Business Development Department, Department of Transportation, Water Resources Department and Oregon Department of Administrative Services for various programs. |
Sybil Hebb | Support | 2024-02-13 |
| SB 1530 Appropriates moneys to and modifies expenditure limitations for the Housing and Community Services Department, Oregon Health Authority, Department of Human Services, State Department of Energy, Oregon Business Development Department, Department of Transportation, Water Resources Department and Oregon Department of Administrative Services for various programs. |
Sybil Hebb | Support | 2024-02-12 |
| HB 4131 Appropriates moneys from the General Fund to the Housing and Community Services Department for the purpose of making matching deposits into individual development accounts. |
sybil hebb | Support | 2024-02-07 |
| SB 1537 Requires the Department of Land Conservation and Development and the Department of Consumer and Business Services to jointly establish and administer the Housing Accountability and Production Office. |
Sybil Hebb | Support | 2024-02-07 |
2023
26 testimonies
| Bill | Name | Position | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| SB 611 Caps annual rent increases for residential tenancies. |
Becky Straus | Support | 2023-06-21 |
| SB 611 Caps annual rent increases for residential tenancies. |
Sybil Hebb | Support | 2023-06-21 |
| HB 3526 Reduces termination notice period to 59 days for residential landlords selling dwelling unit for use as primary residence. |
Sybil Hebb | Oppose | 2023-05-10 |
| HB 3462 Provides that, if certain state agencies provide temporary housing to displaced individuals in response to emergency, agencies shall ensure housing is safe and provided in compliance with state and federal laws relating to discrimination. |
Sybil Hebb | Support | 2023-05-01 |
| HB 2982 Requires insurer to offer 70 percent of coverage insured previously purchased for contents of residence to insured who holds policy of personal insurance without requiring inventory of loss if total loss of contents occurs as result of major disaster. |
Sybil Hebb | Support | 2023-04-18 |
| HB 3042 Limits terminations and rent increases for three years after tenants' housing is withdrawn from publicly supported housing. |
Sybil Hebb | Support | 2023-04-17 |
| HB 2634 Defines "recreational vehicle park" for the purposes of residential tenancy law. |
Sybil Hebb | Neutral | 2023-04-17 |
| SB 976 Disallows, for purposes of personal income taxation, mortgage interest deduction for residence other than taxpayer's principal residence, unless taxpayer sells residence or actively markets residence for sale. |
Sybil Hebb | Support | 2023-04-13 |
| HB 3555 Requires Housing and Community Services Department to provide grants for urban community housing supporting agricultural employees. |
Martha Sonato | Support | 2023-03-27 |
| SB 611 Caps annual rent increases for residential tenancies. |
Sybil Hebb | Support | 2023-03-27 |
| SB 611 Caps annual rent increases for residential tenancies. |
Becky Straus | Support | 2023-03-24 |
| SB 1076 Requires licensed hospitals to include in hospital's discharge policy specified procedures for discharge of homeless patients. |
Sybil Hebb | Support | 2023-03-22 |
| HB 3462 Provides that, if certain state agencies provide temporary housing to displaced individuals in response to emergency, agencies shall ensure housing is safe and provided in compliance with state and federal laws relating to discrimination. |
Sybil Hebb | Support | 2023-03-21 |
| SB 847 Allows affordable housing on lands zoned for commercial uses within urban growth boundaries. |
Sybil Hebb | Neutral | 2023-03-17 |
| HB 5019 Appropriates moneys from General Fund to specified state agencies for certain purposes related to housing. |
Sybil Hebb | Support | 2023-03-06 |
| SB 5511 Appropriates moneys from General Fund to Housing and Community Services Department for biennial expenses and for debt service. |
Sybil Hebb | Support | 2023-03-04 |
| SB 5511 Appropriates moneys from General Fund to Housing and Community Services Department for biennial expenses and for debt service. |
Sybil Hebb | Support | 2023-03-04 |
| SB 937 Requires Housing and Community Services Department to make grant to Network for Oregon Affordable Housing to provide low-interest loans to purchasers of homes with limited equity. |
Sybil Hebb | Support | 2023-03-02 |
| HB 2001 Establishes Oregon Housing Needs Analysis in Oregon Department of Administrative Services. |
Sybil Hebb | Support | 2023-02-23 |
| HB 2001 Establishes Oregon Housing Needs Analysis in Oregon Department of Administrative Services. |
Sybil Hebb | Support | 2023-02-23 |
| HB 2982 Requires insurer to offer 70 percent of coverage insured previously purchased for contents of residence to insured who holds policy of personal insurance without requiring inventory of loss if total loss of contents occurs as result of major disaster. |
Sybil Hebb | Support | 2023-02-23 |
| HB 3018 Authorizes Department of Justice to assist victims of domestic violence and sexual assault with housing needs. |
Sybil Hebb | Support | 2023-02-02 |
| SB 799 Requires residential landlords to extend notice periods for terminations of tenancy based on nonpayment of rent and to include additional notices. |
Sybil Hebb | Support | 2023-01-31 |
| SB 799 Requires residential landlords to extend notice periods for terminations of tenancy based on nonpayment of rent and to include additional notices. |
Sybil Hebb | Support | 2023-01-29 |
| SB 799 Requires residential landlords to extend notice periods for terminations of tenancy based on nonpayment of rent and to include additional notices. |
Sybil Hebb | Support | 2023-01-29 |
| HB 2653 Creates credit against income taxes for selling publicly supported housing to retain as affordable housing. |
Sybil Hebb | Support | 2023-01-24 |
2022
2 testimonies
| Bill | Name | Position | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| HB 4123 Requires Oregon Department of Administrative Services to provide grants for certain coordinated homeless response systems. |
Sybil Hebb | Support | 2022-02-09 |
| HB 4037 Requires Oregon Department of Administrative Services to use reasonable efforts to lease certain unused or underutilized state real property owned by department to City of Salem for use as transitional housing accommodations upon certain terms. |
Sybil Hebb | Support | 2022-02-09 |
2021
21 testimonies
| Bill | Name | Position | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| SB 278 Requires landlords and courts to delay termination of residential tenancies for nonpayment for 60 days if tenant provides documentation of application for rental assistance. |
Sybil Hebb | Support | 2021-06-14 |
| SB 278 Requires landlords and courts to delay termination of residential tenancies for nonpayment for 60 days if tenant provides documentation of application for rental assistance. |
Sybil Hebb | Support | 2021-06-14 |
| SB 291 Requires landlords who require applicant screening charges to adopt certain written screening criteria made available to applicants before accepting application. |
Sybil Hebb | Support | 2021-06-09 |
| SB 850 Requires that report of death for certain decedent who was homeless at time of death indicate that decedent's residence address was "Domicile Unknown.". |
Sybil Hebb | Support | 2021-05-17 |
| SB 291 Requires landlords who require applicant screening charges to adopt certain written screening criteria made available to applicants before accepting application. |
Sybil Hebb | Support | 2021-05-13 |
| SB 291 Requires landlords who require applicant screening charges to adopt certain written screening criteria made available to applicants before accepting application. |
Sybil Hebb | Support | 2021-05-12 |
| HB 3113 Limits exemption from rent increase limits for landlords renting under government programs reducing rents. |
Sybil Hebb | Support | 2021-05-05 |
| HB 3113 Limits exemption from rent increase limits for landlords renting under government programs reducing rents. |
Sybil Hebb | Support | 2021-05-05 |
| HB 3115 Provides that local law regulating sitting, lying, sleeping or keeping warm and dry outdoors on public property that is open to public must be objectively reasonable as to time, place and manner with regards to persons experiencing homelessness. |
Becky Straus | Support | 2021-04-30 |
| HB 3115 Provides that local law regulating sitting, lying, sleeping or keeping warm and dry outdoors on public property that is open to public must be objectively reasonable as to time, place and manner with regards to persons experiencing homelessness. |
Becky Straus | Support | 2021-04-30 |
| HB 2009 Establishes temporary limitations on lenders' remedies for borrowers' failures to make payments on obligations secured by mortgages, trust deeds or land sale contracts for certain real property. |
Sybil Hebb | Support | 2021-04-15 |
| SB 282 Extends grace period for repayment of residential rent accrued during emergency period of April 1, 2020, to June 30, 2021, until February 28, 2022. |
John VanLandingham | Support | 2021-03-18 |
| HB 3115 Provides that local law regulating sitting, lying, sleeping or keeping warm and dry outdoors on public property that is open to public must be objectively reasonable as to time, place and manner with regards to persons experiencing homelessness. |
Becky Straus | Support | 2021-03-08 |
| HB 2006 Defines "emergency shelter." Requires local governments to allow siting of qualifying emergency shelters by qualifying entities notwithstanding land use laws and regulations. |
Sybil Hebb | Support | 2021-02-24 |
| HB 2004 Appropriates moneys from General Fund to Oregon Department of Administrative Services to distribute to Oregon Community Foundation to provide grants to support emergency shelters. |
Sybil Hebb | Support | 2021-02-24 |
| HB 3026 Directs Department of Transportation to waive fee for issuing, renewing or replacing identification card if person who is issued card is experiencing homelessness. |
Sybil Hebb | Support | 2021-02-24 |
| HB 3115 Provides that local law regulating sitting, lying, sleeping or keeping warm and dry outdoors on public property that is open to public must be objectively reasonable as to time, place and manner with regards to persons experiencing homelessness. |
Becky Straus | Support | 2021-02-23 |
| HB 2427 Directs Housing and Community Services Department to establish and maintain uniform rental application system. |
Sybil Hebb | Support | 2021-02-11 |
| SB 291 Requires landlords who require applicant screening charges to adopt certain written screening criteria made available to applicants before accepting application. |
Sybil Hebb | Support | 2021-02-11 |
| SB 79 Authorizes Housing and Community Services Department to provide grants and technical assistance to organizations increasing homeownership program access to persons of color. |
Sybil Hebb | Unknown | 2021-02-11 |
| HB 2101 Clarifies that all housing authorities must participate in Housing Choice Landlord Guarantee Program. |
Sybil Hebb | Support | 2021-01-26 |