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83rd OREGON LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY--2025 Regular Session
House Bill 2873
Sponsored by Representative EVANS (Presession filed.)
SUMMARY
The following summary is not prepared by the sponsors of the measure and is not a part of the body thereof subject
to consideration by the Legislative Assembly. It is an editor’s brief statement of the essential features of the
measure as introduced.The statement includes a measure digest written in compliance with applicable readability
standards.
Digest: Tells the HECC to create an Oregon work study pilot program. Ends the program on
January 2, 2029. Tells the HECC to study college students’ access to basic needs. Tells the HECC
to submit a report on the findings of the study. Declares an emergency and becomes law on July
1, 2025. (Flesch Readability Score: 61.2).
Directs the Higher Education Coordinating Commission to establish an Oregon work study pilot
program to assist post-secondary students. Sunsets the program on January 2, 2029.
Directs the commission to conduct a study on post-secondary students’ access to basic necessi-
ties and submit a report to the interim committees of the Legislative Assembly related to higher
education no later than September 15, 2026.
Declares an emergency, effective July 1, 2025.
A BILL FOR AN ACT
Relating to post-secondary student financial aid; and declaring an emergency.
Be It Enacted by the People of the State of Oregon:
SECTION 1. (1) The Higher Education Coordinating Commission shall establish an Oregon
work study pilot program.
(2) The purpose of the pilot program is to assist students attending Oregon State Uni-
versity or Western Oregon University in accessing work study financial aid, which may in-
crease access to federal benefits, such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.
(3) The commission shall adopt rules to implement and administer the pilot program.
SECTION 2. (1) The Higher Education Coordinating Commission shall conduct a study
on food insecurity and access to basic necessities for life among students attending post-
secondary institutions in Oregon and provide a report as described in subsection (2) of this
section. In conducting the study, the commission shall consult with state agencies, nonprofit
organizations and members of the public who have an interest in ensuring that students at-
tending post-secondary institutions have access to basic necessities for life. As part of the
study, the commission shall:
(a) Determine the number of students eligible for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance
Program but unable to participate in a federal work study program due to lack of sufficient
funding;
(b) Conduct an analysis of the impacts on students described in paragraph (a) of this
subsection, in terms of financial aid and matriculation rates;
(c) Review other state and local models for programs that assist low-income students
with accessing services that provide the basic necessities for life;
(d) Seek direct input from low-income students; and
(e) Identify community-based organizations and key informants that assist low-income
students outside the higher education system.
NOTE:Matter in boldfaced type in an amended section is new; matter [italic and bracketed] is existing law to be omitted.
New sections are in boldfaced type.
LC 2053 HB2873
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(2) The commission shall present the results of the study, along with any recommended
legislative changes, in a report to the interim committees of the Legislative Assembly related
to higher education in the manner provided under ORS 192.245 on or before September 15,
2026.
SECTION 3. (1) In addition to and not in lieu of any other appropriation, there is appro-
priated to the Higher Education Coordinating Commission, for the biennium beginning July
1, 2025, out of the General Fund, the amount of $450,000 which may be expended for carrying
out the provisions of section 1 of this 2025 Act.
(2) In addition to and not in lieu of any other appropriation, there is appropriated to the
Higher Education Coordinating Commission, for the biennium beginning July 1, 2025, out of
the General Fund, the amount of $50,000 which may be expended for carrying out the pro-
visions of section 2 of this 2025 Act.
SECTION 4.(1) Section 1 of this 2025 Act is repealed on January 2, 2029.
(2) Section 2 of this 2025 Act is repealed on January 2, 2027.
SECTION 5. This 2025 Act being necessary for the immediate preservation of the public
peace, health and safety, an emergency is declared to exist, and this 2025 Act takes effect
July 1, 2025.
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