Oregon House Bill HB3588

Oregon 2025 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/18/25
• Refer: 2/20/25
• Report Pass: 4/14/25
• Engrossed: 4/21/25
• Refer: 4/21/25

Caption

Relating to business registrations; declaring an emergency.

Impact

The impact of HB 3588 extends to the overall administrative process related to business registrations in Oregon. By permitting the use of CMRA addresses, the bill seeks to streamline the filing process for many businesses, particularly those that operate remotely or from non-traditional office spaces. The legislation reflects a growing trend towards accommodating modern business practices and addresses ongoing changes in postal regulations concerning physical addresses and mail services.

Summary

House Bill 3588 is a legislative measure aimed at modifying the requirements for business registrations in Oregon. The bill introduces changes to various Oregon Revised Statutes (ORS) related to business documentation, specifically allowing the use of a commercial mail receiving agency (CMRA) as a valid address for business documentation. It mandates that if a person's business address is the same as that of the CMRA, the Secretary of State can accept it without requiring a public disclosure of the actual business address, providing privacy to business owners who wish to protect their location from the public record.

Sentiment

The sentiment surrounding the bill appears to be largely positive among business groups who support measures that simplify administrative burdens. Advocates argue that the changes will foster a more accessible business environment, particularly benefiting small business owners and entrepreneurs who may not have a physical office. Conversely, there may be concerns raised by transparency advocates regarding the potential for reduced public oversight if business addresses become less visible in public records.

Contention

Notable points of contention surrounding HB 3588 include the balance between business privacy and public transparency. Critics may argue that allowing businesses to register with an address that is not their physical location could facilitate tax evasion or obscure accountability in business practices. Nonetheless, the bill aims to address these concerns by ensuring that address protections are applied only under specific conditions, allowing visibility when necessary while still affording businesses the privacy they seek.