Sen. Shields introduces prompt pay bills in committee SALEM - At 3 PM today in Hearing Room B, Sen. Chip Shields (D-N/NE Portland introduced
SB 657
in the Business, Transportation and Economic Development committee. This bill would lower the amount to be held in retainage on public contracts.
Senator Chip Shields (N/NE Portland), Chairman of the Senate General Government, Consumer and Small Business Protection Committee also heard
SB 890 today in his committee. This bill will clarify and strengthen prompt payment language currently on the books.
"These bills exemplify exactly what we're trying to do in the small business protection charge of our General Government, Consumer and Small Business Protection Committee," said Shields. "Is it too much to ask in this great state of ours for people to pay their bills on time to our small businesses? I don't believe it is."
Sen. Shields introduced these bills with Drew Park of Columbia Wire and Iron Works in mind. Mr. Park brought the ides for SB 657 to Sen. Shields after he had to lay off his last worker because a prime contractor was holding on the $145,000 even though Park's company completed their portion of the construction job months and months prior.
"These bills allow small business to access funds for work already performed more quickly," said Maurice Rahming of the National Association of Minority Contractors. "This allows small business to grow faster, hire more people and pursue more opportunities. These bills amount to economic stimulus for small business."
Also testifying in support was Dan O'Brien, former President of AGC, Rick Thomas of the Associated Builders & Contractors and Nathan Phillips from the National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA).
For more information about these bills, or to schedule an appointment to discuss other community concerns with Sen. Shields, please call (503) 986-1722 or email
sen.chipshields@state.or.us ### | 
