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News Release

Oregon Insurance Commissioner TK Keen Receives Key NAIC Committee Assignments For 2026 (Photo) - 01/30/26

Salem – Oregon Insurance Commissioner TK Keen has been appointed to several key National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) committees and task forces for 2026, keeping Oregon at the forefront of national insurance policy and consumer protection work.

 

Keen has been appointed as a member of the Life Insurance and Annuities (A) Committee and the Financial Regulation Standards and Accreditation (F) Committee. He has also been assigned to the Consumer Liaison Committee and the American Indian and Alaska Native Liaison Committee. In addition, Keen continues to ensure that Oregon is at the national table on efforts to improve the affordability and availability of insurance in general, as well as climate change and wildfire issues impacting insurance throughout the West.

 

Promoting and listening to consumer advocates in the insurance space is critical work and ensures a balance of Oregon and national perspectives as the Division of Financial Regulation (DFR) pursues its policy goals. Having these national relationships and trust is paramount to continuing partnerships and sets a policy direction that emphasizes consumer protection. DFR regularly recovers millions of dollars for Oregonians through its consumer protection function.  

 

Oregon has nine federally recognized tribes, and engaging in tribal priorities at the national level will help the state stay at the forefront of new and developing ideas.

 

“These assignments make sure Oregon has a strong seat at the table on the issues that matter most to our consumers and tribal communities,” Keen said. “From property and casualty and life insurance, to keeping tribal members at the forefront, these roles will help us advocate for Oregonians and continue to produce strong consumer protections and a stable insurance market.”

 

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About Oregon DFR: The Division of Financial Regulation protects consumers and regulates insurance, depository institutions, trust companies, securities, and consumer financial products and services. The division is part of the Department of Consumer and Business Services, Oregon’s largest consumer protection and business regulatory agency. Visit dfr.oregon.gov and dcbs.oregon.gov.

 

Attached Media Files: DFR-logo-blue.jpg,

Oregon Insurance Commissioner TK Keen Receives Key NAIC Committee Assignments For 2026 (Photo) - 01/30/26

Salem – Oregon Insurance Commissioner TK Keen has been appointed to several key National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) committees and task forces for 2026, keeping Oregon at the forefront of national insurance policy and consumer protection work.

 

Keen has been appointed as a member of the Life Insurance and Annuities (A) Committee and the Financial Regulation Standards and Accreditation (F) Committee. He has also been assigned to the Consumer Liaison Committee and the American Indian and Alaska Native Liaison Committee. In addition, Keen continues to ensure that Oregon is at the national table on efforts to improve the affordability and availability of insurance in general, as well as climate change and wildfire issues impacting insurance throughout the West.

 

Promoting and listening to consumer advocates in the insurance space is critical work and ensures a balance of Oregon and national perspectives as the Division of Financial Regulation (DFR) pursues its policy goals. Having these national relationships and trust is paramount to continuing partnerships and sets a policy direction that emphasizes consumer protection. DFR regularly recovers millions of dollars for Oregonians through its consumer protection function.  

 

Oregon has nine federally recognized tribes, and engaging in tribal priorities at the national level will help the state stay at the forefront of new and developing ideas.

 

“These assignments make sure Oregon has a strong seat at the table on the issues that matter most to our consumers and tribal communities,” Keen said. “From property and casualty and life insurance, to keeping tribal members at the forefront, these roles will help us advocate for Oregonians and continue to produce strong consumer protections and a stable insurance market.”

 

###

 

About Oregon DFR: The Division of Financial Regulation protects consumers and regulates insurance, depository institutions, trust companies, securities, and consumer financial products and services. The division is part of the Department of Consumer and Business Services, Oregon’s largest consumer protection and business regulatory agency. Visit dfr.oregon.gov and dcbs.oregon.gov.

 

Attached Media Files: DFR-logo-blue.jpg,

DFR Fines LoanMart $660,000 For Charging Excessive Interest In Consumer Loans; Company To Repay $900,000 To Oregon Borrowers (Photo) - 01/29/26

Salem – The Oregon Division of Financial Regulation (DFR) issued a cease-and-desist order against Wheels Financial Group LLC, doing business as LoanMart, for facilitating consumer finance loans that exceed the 36 percent interest rate cap under Oregon law. The company agreed to remedy all illegal loans and repay $900,000 in excessive interest charges to Oregon consumers. The order also included fines totaling $660,000 that will be suspended and waived after three years as long as the company complies with the terms of the final order.

 

From 2019 to 2023, LoanMart solicited and brokered consumer finance loans as part of an arrangement with an out-of-state bank. In what is commonly referred to as a “rent-a-bank” arrangement, LoanMart collected finance charges that ranged from 126 percent to 178 percent interest. In addition, the loan agreements provided for attorney fee provisions that exceeded the permissible scope for consumer finance loans and, under certain circumstances, would have required each borrower to pay attorney fees associated with attorneys who were salaried employees of LoanMart. Finally, the loan agreements contained impermissible hold harmless clauses.

 

The requirements of the order applied equally to LoanMart’s affiliate, WFG Purchaser LLC. WFG purchased a substantial majority economic interest in the loans at issue and did not hold a consumer finance license, prohibiting them from collecting, receiving, or retaining any interest, fee, or charge related to, or in connection with, the loans.

 

“Consumer finance companies cannot hide behind out-of-state banks to bypass Oregon’s consumer protection laws,” DFR Administrator TK Keen said. “We will continue to take steps to police our market to ensure that Oregonians get a fair shake when it comes to borrowing money.”

 

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About Oregon DFR: The Division of Financial Regulation protects consumers and regulates insurance, depository institutions, trust companies, securities, and consumer financial products and services. The division is part of the Department of Consumer and Business Services, Oregon’s largest consumer protection and business regulatory agency. Visit dfr.oregon.gov and dcbs.oregon.gov.

Attached Media Files: DFR-logo-blue.jpg,

DFR Fines LoanMart $660,000 For Charging Excessive Interest In Consumer Loans; Company To Repay $900,000 To Oregon Borrowers (Photo) - 01/29/26

Salem – The Oregon Division of Financial Regulation (DFR) issued a cease-and-desist order against Wheels Financial Group LLC, doing business as LoanMart, for facilitating consumer finance loans that exceed the 36 percent interest rate cap under Oregon law. The company agreed to remedy all illegal loans and repay $900,000 in excessive interest charges to Oregon consumers. The order also included fines totaling $660,000 that will be suspended and waived after three years as long as the company complies with the terms of the final order.

 

From 2019 to 2023, LoanMart solicited and brokered consumer finance loans as part of an arrangement with an out-of-state bank. In what is commonly referred to as a “rent-a-bank” arrangement, LoanMart collected finance charges that ranged from 126 percent to 178 percent interest. In addition, the loan agreements provided for attorney fee provisions that exceeded the permissible scope for consumer finance loans and, under certain circumstances, would have required each borrower to pay attorney fees associated with attorneys who were salaried employees of LoanMart. Finally, the loan agreements contained impermissible hold harmless clauses.

 

The requirements of the order applied equally to LoanMart’s affiliate, WFG Purchaser LLC. WFG purchased a substantial majority economic interest in the loans at issue and did not hold a consumer finance license, prohibiting them from collecting, receiving, or retaining any interest, fee, or charge related to, or in connection with, the loans.

 

“Consumer finance companies cannot hide behind out-of-state banks to bypass Oregon’s consumer protection laws,” DFR Administrator TK Keen said. “We will continue to take steps to police our market to ensure that Oregonians get a fair shake when it comes to borrowing money.”

 

###

 

About Oregon DFR: The Division of Financial Regulation protects consumers and regulates insurance, depository institutions, trust companies, securities, and consumer financial products and services. The division is part of the Department of Consumer and Business Services, Oregon’s largest consumer protection and business regulatory agency. Visit dfr.oregon.gov and dcbs.oregon.gov.

Attached Media Files: DFR-logo-blue.jpg,

‘Safety Break’ Encourages Oregon Employers, Workers To Stand Down May 13 (Photo) - 01/29/26

The Oregon Occupational Safety and Health Division (Oregon OSHA) urges employers and workers across industries to join Oregon’s annual Safety Break event for a celebration of the importance of creating and maintaining safe and healthy working conditions.

 

Safety Break for Oregon – the Wednesday, May 13, stand-down for worker safety and health – offers an opportunity for employers, supervisors, workers, safety committee members, and safety and health professionals to pause their operations and demonstrate the high value they place on protecting people from harm while on the job.

 

Sign up now. The event includes a prize drawing for participants. Get Safety Break ideas, logos, sample awards, and other free resources by visiting the Safety Break for Oregon website.

 

“Safety Break brings people together to have open and productive conversations about safety and health,” said Renée Stapleton, administrator for Oregon OSHA. “It is not merely a symbolic event. It is a time to step back and reflect on what’s working, discuss what we can do better, and to prioritize, plan, and take action.”

 

Coordinated by Oregon OSHA, Safety Break for Oregon is now in its 23rd year of putting a spotlight on the need to minimize or eliminate hazards that can cause serious injury or illness to workers. Employers and workers choose how they want to participate. Activities may include providing a special safety or health training, assessing where safety and health can be improved at your jobsite, or celebrating your successes by recognizing safety committee members and emerging safety leaders.

 

Oregon OSHA encourages employers and workers to share their Safety Break activities on social media on Facebook and LinkedIn with #SafetyBreak. Participants are welcome to use free Oregon OSHA resources as part of their Safety Break activities. Resources include:

 

 

Employers that sign up online by Friday, May 8, and participate in Safety Break for Oregon will be entered to win one of three $100 checks to be used for a luncheon of their choice.

 

The prizes will go to participating companies as part of a random drawing. The SHARP Alliance sponsors the contest. The nonprofit group promotes safety and health management by encouraging teamwork and cooperation among people, employers, and organizations to improve workplace health and safety for Oregon workers.

 

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About Oregon OSHA: Oregon OSHA enforces the state's workplace safety and health rules and works to improve workplace safety and health for all Oregon workers. The division is part of the Department of Consumer and Business Services, Oregon’s largest consumer protection and business regulatory agency. Visit osha.oregon.gov and dcbs.oregon.gov.

 

 

 

 

 

Attached Media Files: Oregon OSHA logo, DCBS logo, SafetyBreaklogo, SafetyBreaklogo2,

‘Safety Break’ Encourages Oregon Employers, Workers To Stand Down May 13 (Photo) - 01/29/26

The Oregon Occupational Safety and Health Division (Oregon OSHA) urges employers and workers across industries to join Oregon’s annual Safety Break event for a celebration of the importance of creating and maintaining safe and healthy working conditions.

 

Safety Break for Oregon – the Wednesday, May 13, stand-down for worker safety and health – offers an opportunity for employers, supervisors, workers, safety committee members, and safety and health professionals to pause their operations and demonstrate the high value they place on protecting people from harm while on the job.

 

Sign up now. The event includes a prize drawing for participants. Get Safety Break ideas, logos, sample awards, and other free resources by visiting the Safety Break for Oregon website.

 

“Safety Break brings people together to have open and productive conversations about safety and health,” said Renée Stapleton, administrator for Oregon OSHA. “It is not merely a symbolic event. It is a time to step back and reflect on what’s working, discuss what we can do better, and to prioritize, plan, and take action.”

 

Coordinated by Oregon OSHA, Safety Break for Oregon is now in its 23rd year of putting a spotlight on the need to minimize or eliminate hazards that can cause serious injury or illness to workers. Employers and workers choose how they want to participate. Activities may include providing a special safety or health training, assessing where safety and health can be improved at your jobsite, or celebrating your successes by recognizing safety committee members and emerging safety leaders.

 

Oregon OSHA encourages employers and workers to share their Safety Break activities on social media on Facebook and LinkedIn with #SafetyBreak. Participants are welcome to use free Oregon OSHA resources as part of their Safety Break activities. Resources include:

 

 

Employers that sign up online by Friday, May 8, and participate in Safety Break for Oregon will be entered to win one of three $100 checks to be used for a luncheon of their choice.

 

The prizes will go to participating companies as part of a random drawing. The SHARP Alliance sponsors the contest. The nonprofit group promotes safety and health management by encouraging teamwork and cooperation among people, employers, and organizations to improve workplace health and safety for Oregon workers.

 

###

 

About Oregon OSHA: Oregon OSHA enforces the state's workplace safety and health rules and works to improve workplace safety and health for all Oregon workers. The division is part of the Department of Consumer and Business Services, Oregon’s largest consumer protection and business regulatory agency. Visit osha.oregon.gov and dcbs.oregon.gov.

 

 

 

 

 

Attached Media Files: Oregon OSHA logo, DCBS logo, SafetyBreaklogo, SafetyBreaklogo2,

Eugene Event Puts Focus On Improving Safety, Health For Workers With Training, Learning Opportunities (Photo) - 01/23/26

A two-day event in Eugene will offer employers and workers opportunities to hear from experts about how to create and maintain safe and healthy working conditions. Topics include everything from the importance of safety committees and the keys to a successful safety culture to best practices for electrical safety and tips on designing a strong heat-illness prevention program.

 

Oregon Occupational Safety and Health (Oregon OSHA) – a division of the Oregon Department of Consumer and Business Services – joins the Cascade Chapter of the American Society of Safety Professionals and Lane County Human Resource Association in encouraging employers and workers to attend the 21st biennial Cascade Occupational Safety and Health Conference, to be held March 3-4 at the Graduate by Hilton Eugene, 66 E. Sixth Ave.

 

On Tuesday, March 3, the conference will feature a keynote presentation by Dale Lesinski, vice president of DiVal Safety Equipment. His presentation, “Safe 4 the Right Reasons,” will show attendees how delivering a personal reason to adopt safe behaviors is essential to achieving desirable outcomes. Making safety and health personal, and appealing to human nature – along with positive messages – lead to safe and healthy behaviors that are sustainable, according to Lesinski. 

 

Lesinski will also conduct a breakout session focusing on the keys to building a successful safety culture, including employee engagement, sustainability, safety messaging, emotional intelligence, and organizational safety structure.

 

The Cascade Occupational Safety and Health Conference also features a special networking event at 4:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 3. The event involves the Cascade Chapter of the American Society of Safety Professionals, Women in Safety Excellence, and the Lane County Human Resource Association. It will provide attendees an opportunity to meet safety and health professionals in the region and to learn about the organizations. Light refreshments will be served. Those interested may RSVP to Leigh Manning, leiman@saif.com, by Saturday, Feb. 28. Attendees will receive an email confirmation before the event.  

 

The conference, which includes awards, exhibits, and lunch, offers a variety of workplace safety and health topics. They include:

 

  • I’m on the Safety Committee, Now What?
  • Oregon’s Best-Kept Secret: Unlocking the Employer-at-Injury and Preferred Worker Programs
  • Fall Protection: Formal Equipment Inspections
  • Make the Unseen Seen: Managing Psychosocial Risks at Work
  • Is It Getting Hot in Here? Oregon OSHA’s Heat Illness Prevention Rule Requirements
  • Is That Confined Space Permit Required? Yes or No?
  • Foundation of Trust
  • What to Expect from an Oregon OSHA Inspection
  • Behavioral Health Emergency and Disaster Management
  • Confined Space: Elements of an Effective Program

 

Registration for the two-day event is $295. Tuesday-only attendance is $150. Wednesday-only attendance is $150. Register now: safetyseries.cventevents.com/cascade26. For more information about Oregon OSHA safety and health conferences, go online, send an email to oregon.conferences@dcbs.oregon.gov, or call 503-947-7411.

 

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About Oregon OSHA: Oregon OSHA enforces the state's workplace safety and health rules and works to improve workplace safety and health for all Oregon workers. The division is part of the Department of Consumer and Business Services, Oregon’s largest consumer protection and business regulatory agency. Visit osha.oregon.gov and dcbs.oregon.gov.

 

 


 

 

 

Attached Media Files: Oregon OSHA logo, DCBS logo,

Eugene Event Puts Focus On Improving Safety, Health For Workers With Training, Learning Opportunities (Photo) - 01/23/26

A two-day event in Eugene will offer employers and workers opportunities to hear from experts about how to create and maintain safe and healthy working conditions. Topics include everything from the importance of safety committees and the keys to a successful safety culture to best practices for electrical safety and tips on designing a strong heat-illness prevention program.

 

Oregon Occupational Safety and Health (Oregon OSHA) – a division of the Oregon Department of Consumer and Business Services – joins the Cascade Chapter of the American Society of Safety Professionals and Lane County Human Resource Association in encouraging employers and workers to attend the 21st biennial Cascade Occupational Safety and Health Conference, to be held March 3-4 at the Graduate by Hilton Eugene, 66 E. Sixth Ave.

 

On Tuesday, March 3, the conference will feature a keynote presentation by Dale Lesinski, vice president of DiVal Safety Equipment. His presentation, “Safe 4 the Right Reasons,” will show attendees how delivering a personal reason to adopt safe behaviors is essential to achieving desirable outcomes. Making safety and health personal, and appealing to human nature – along with positive messages – lead to safe and healthy behaviors that are sustainable, according to Lesinski. 

 

Lesinski will also conduct a breakout session focusing on the keys to building a successful safety culture, including employee engagement, sustainability, safety messaging, emotional intelligence, and organizational safety structure.

 

The Cascade Occupational Safety and Health Conference also features a special networking event at 4:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 3. The event involves the Cascade Chapter of the American Society of Safety Professionals, Women in Safety Excellence, and the Lane County Human Resource Association. It will provide attendees an opportunity to meet safety and health professionals in the region and to learn about the organizations. Light refreshments will be served. Those interested may RSVP to Leigh Manning, leiman@saif.com, by Saturday, Feb. 28. Attendees will receive an email confirmation before the event.  

 

The conference, which includes awards, exhibits, and lunch, offers a variety of workplace safety and health topics. They include:

 

  • I’m on the Safety Committee, Now What?
  • Oregon’s Best-Kept Secret: Unlocking the Employer-at-Injury and Preferred Worker Programs
  • Fall Protection: Formal Equipment Inspections
  • Make the Unseen Seen: Managing Psychosocial Risks at Work
  • Is It Getting Hot in Here? Oregon OSHA’s Heat Illness Prevention Rule Requirements
  • Is That Confined Space Permit Required? Yes or No?
  • Foundation of Trust
  • What to Expect from an Oregon OSHA Inspection
  • Behavioral Health Emergency and Disaster Management
  • Confined Space: Elements of an Effective Program

 

Registration for the two-day event is $295. Tuesday-only attendance is $150. Wednesday-only attendance is $150. Register now: safetyseries.cventevents.com/cascade26. For more information about Oregon OSHA safety and health conferences, go online, send an email to oregon.conferences@dcbs.oregon.gov, or call 503-947-7411.

 

###

 

About Oregon OSHA: Oregon OSHA enforces the state's workplace safety and health rules and works to improve workplace safety and health for all Oregon workers. The division is part of the Department of Consumer and Business Services, Oregon’s largest consumer protection and business regulatory agency. Visit osha.oregon.gov and dcbs.oregon.gov.

 

 


 

 

 

Attached Media Files: Oregon OSHA logo, DCBS logo,

New Guide Helps Oregon Workers, Consumers To Work Safely, Defeat Scammers (Photo) - 01/12/26

**Información en español**

 

 

Workers and consumers in Oregon now have a new guide for understanding and using their rights to work safely and to protect against fraud thanks to the Oregon Occupational Safety and Health Division (Oregon OSHA) and its partners.

The free publication – “Your Safety and Rights: A Guide for Oregon Workers” – is available online in Spanish and English, with more languages planned. Printed copies may be ordered by email: osha.resource@dcbs.oregon.gov. Oregon OSHA is working with its partners to distribute the guide in communities across the state.

The guide shows workers and consumers the common workplace safety and health hazards, and fraudulent schemes they may face; explains what their employers must do to protect them; illustrates how they can take action to protect themselves; and provides more resources, including a directory of community organizations, regulatory agencies, and services.
 

“We created this guide to be evergreen, available to workers and consumers whenever they need it,” said Renée Stapleton, administrator for Oregon OSHA. “It includes everything from how to protect yourself from workplace hazards and tips shielding you from financial harm to resources that connect workers and consumers to helpful programs and services.”

Oregon OSHA is a division of the Oregon Department of Consumer and Business Services (DCBS). The department’s mission is to equitably protect and empower consumers and workers while maintaining a predictable yet innovative regulatory environment for the businesses we regulate. The department’s divisions and programs include the Building Codes Division, Division of Financial Regulation, Multicultural Communications Program, Ombuds Office for Oregon Workers, Small Business Ombudsman, Workers’ Compensation Division, and Workers’ Compensation Board.


The guide enhances public education and training efforts by DCBS and its partners in labor, government, business, and insurance.

 

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About Oregon OSHA: Oregon OSHA enforces the state's workplace safety and health rules and works to improve workplace safety and health for all Oregon workers. The division is part of the Department of Consumer and Business Services, Oregon’s largest consumer protection and business regulatory agency. Visit osha.oregon.gov and dcbs.oregon.gov.

Attached Media Files: Oregon OSHA logo-English, Oregon OSHA logo-Spanish, DCBS logo-Spanish, DCBS logo-English,

New Guide Helps Oregon Workers, Consumers To Work Safely, Defeat Scammers (Photo) - 01/12/26

**Información en español**

 

 

Workers and consumers in Oregon now have a new guide for understanding and using their rights to work safely and to protect against fraud thanks to the Oregon Occupational Safety and Health Division (Oregon OSHA) and its partners.

The free publication – “Your Safety and Rights: A Guide for Oregon Workers” – is available online in Spanish and English, with more languages planned. Printed copies may be ordered by email: osha.resource@dcbs.oregon.gov. Oregon OSHA is working with its partners to distribute the guide in communities across the state.

The guide shows workers and consumers the common workplace safety and health hazards, and fraudulent schemes they may face; explains what their employers must do to protect them; illustrates how they can take action to protect themselves; and provides more resources, including a directory of community organizations, regulatory agencies, and services.
 

“We created this guide to be evergreen, available to workers and consumers whenever they need it,” said Renée Stapleton, administrator for Oregon OSHA. “It includes everything from how to protect yourself from workplace hazards and tips shielding you from financial harm to resources that connect workers and consumers to helpful programs and services.”

Oregon OSHA is a division of the Oregon Department of Consumer and Business Services (DCBS). The department’s mission is to equitably protect and empower consumers and workers while maintaining a predictable yet innovative regulatory environment for the businesses we regulate. The department’s divisions and programs include the Building Codes Division, Division of Financial Regulation, Multicultural Communications Program, Ombuds Office for Oregon Workers, Small Business Ombudsman, Workers’ Compensation Division, and Workers’ Compensation Board.


The guide enhances public education and training efforts by DCBS and its partners in labor, government, business, and insurance.

 

###

 

About Oregon OSHA: Oregon OSHA enforces the state's workplace safety and health rules and works to improve workplace safety and health for all Oregon workers. The division is part of the Department of Consumer and Business Services, Oregon’s largest consumer protection and business regulatory agency. Visit osha.oregon.gov and dcbs.oregon.gov.

Attached Media Files: Oregon OSHA logo-English, Oregon OSHA logo-Spanish, DCBS logo-Spanish, DCBS logo-English,