Oregon just made history.
Governor Tina Kotek has signed Senate Bill 426, making Oregon the first state in the nation to hold both owners and general contractors liable when subcontractors fail to pay construction workers. This landmark legislation is a major step forward in the fight against wage theft in the construction industry.
What SB 426 Does:
Empowers construction workers to sue owners and general contractors for unpaid wages — not just their direct employers.
Creates new legal pathways for workers to recover stolen wages and hold all responsible parties accountable.
Why It Matters:
Wage theft is a widespread issue in the construction industry, often leaving workers with little recourse. SB 426 changes that by shifting responsibility up the chain — a move that labor advocates say could become a national model.