Central Oregon Event Offers Workers, Employers Tools To Build Safer, Healthier Construction Sites; Register Now For The January 2026 Mid-Oregon Construction Safety Summit (Photo) - 12/11/25

A two-day training conference in Bend will offer safety and health training for workers in the residential, commercial, and industrial construction industries, as well as insights for employers about how to address hazards. The Mid-Oregon Construction Safety Summit, held Monday-Tuesday, Jan. 26-27, 2026, will engage attendees about everything from fall protection, ladders, and scaffolds to excavations, electrical systems, and underground utilities.

The event will feature the OSHA 10-hour training for construction, training in work zone safety and flagging, and first-responder training. Certifications and recertifications will be available. Attendees will have access to continuing education credits, including credits through Oregon’s Construction Contractors Board and Landscape Contractors Board.

Oregon Occupational Safety and Health (Oregon OSHA), a division of the Department of Consumer and Business Services, encourages employers and workers to attend the annual Mid-Oregon Construction Safety Summit at the Riverhouse Lodge Convention Center in Bend. Oregon OSHA is one of several partners sponsoring the event.

The event’s keynote presentation, “The Undeniable Appeal of Risk,” will be delivered by Rachel Walla-Housman, founder of Ally Safety. On Tuesday, Walla-Housman will explore the undeniable appeal of risk, misconceptions about it, and how understanding the misconceptions can lead to better risk-taking decisions.

The Mid-Oregon Construction Safety Summit’s sessions include:

• Fall Protection/Prevention
• Welding Safety
• Underground Utility Safety
• Incident Accident Investigation
• Excavation Safety
• Pre-task Plans
• Energize Your Safety Committee
• Construction A-Z
• Electrical Safety for the Non-electrician
• Employment Law
• Substance Abuse in the Workplace
• Mental Health Awareness
• Safety and the Supervisor

Registration for the event’s preconference workshops (Monday) is $85. Conference registration (Tuesday) is $130. Registration for the OSHA 10-hour training for construction is $175 for both days. The cost of the first-aid workshop (Monday) is $100. Register at safetyseries.cventevents.com/summit26.

For more information, contact the Oregon OSHA Conference Section at 503-947-7411 or oregon.conferences@dcbs.oregon.gov. For information about upcoming safety conferences, visit Oregon OSHA’s online conferences page.

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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.

Medford Company Fined $128,345 For Exposing Workers To Multiple Job Hazards - 12/09/25

The Oregon Occupational Safety and Health Division (Oregon OSHA) has fined a Medford contractor $128,345 for safety violations after an inspection found the company exposed employees to multiple hazards, including a potentially deadly fall from heights.
 

The division completed its inspection of Shrader Homes Inc. in November, citing the company for five violations of requirements to protect workers from serious injury or death. The inspection focused on a jobsite in White City, where employees were doing framing work on a two-story residence.

One of the violations was a fourth repeat infraction for failing to provide fall protection. Another was a second repeat violation of a ladder safety rule. Falls are one of the leading causes of death in the construction industry. Oregon OSHA significantly increases penalties for repeat violations. The division ordered the company to correct the violations.
 

“Any employer that directs workers to do jobs at elevations must take action beforehand to make sure protective systems are in place,” said Renée Stapleton, administrator for Oregon OSHA. “Workers have a right to safety and health under the law. Employers are responsible for making that right a reality.”
 

Oregon OSHA conducted the inspection of Shrader Homes under its prevention-based emphasis program addressing fall hazards in all industries.

The division cited the company for the following violations:  

• Protection systems were not implemented where employees were exposed to a hazard of falling 6 feet or more to a lower level. The serious violation was rated as “death,” because the typical result of the hazard would be the death of an employee. It was a fourth repeat violation. Penalty: $110,309.
• The side rails of a ladder were not extended at least 3 feet above an upper landing. The serious violation was a second repeat offense. Penalty: $13,800.
• Protection systems were not implemented where employees were exposed to a hazard of falling from a wall opening on the second-floor decking to a lower level. It was a serious violation. Penalty: $1,412.
• A ladder with a broken anti-slip safety device was used when it should have been tagged as defective or removed until it was repaired. It was a serious violation. Penalty: $1,412.
• Eye protection was not used while running a pneumatic nail gun. It was a serious violation. Penalty: $1,412. 

The total penalty issued to Shrader Homes included a standard reduction based on the size of the company. Employers have 30 calendar days after receiving a citation to file an appeal. Shrader Homes filed an appeal of its citation.
 

Oregon OSHA offers employers free resources – involving no fault, no citations, and no penalties – to help protect their employees from job hazards:

Consultation services – provides free help with safety and health programs, including how to control and eliminate hazards, and hands-on training:

• Phone (toll-free in Oregon): 800-922-2689
• Field offices
• Online
• Email: consult.web@dcbs.oregon.gov

Technical staff – helps employers understand requirements and how to apply them to their worksites

• Phone (toll-free in Oregon): 800-922-2689
• Online
• Email: tech.web@dcbs.oregon.gov

The division also offers free fall protection video training in English and Spanish, and key information for employers and 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.

Oregon Consumer Advocates Help Recover Nearly $2 Million For Oregonians In Third Quarter; Over $5.6 Million For The Year (Photo) - 12/09/25

Salem – Oregon Division of Financial Regulation (DFR) consumer advocates continue to work to help Oregonians. In the third quarter of this year – July through September – the advocates helped recover $1,836,127, bringing the year-to-date total to $5,658,813 that is back in the pockets of Oregonians.

DFR’s consumer advocates have extensive knowledge across many areas of regulation, including helping those experiencing difficulties with insurance, mortgages, banking products, securities, student loans, and a variety of other financial services DFR regulates.

“Oregon’s Division of Financial Regulation makes sure every day Oregonians get a fair shake,” said Gov. Tina Kotek. “Their work is a powerful reminder of what effective consumer protection looks like in action.”

In the most recent quarter, the consumer advocates received 1,422 total complaints and, much like previous quarters, insurance continues to be the leading topic with 890 complaints – the most of any quarter in 2025. Credit union complaints were the next highest with 53, followed by mortgage servicers (44) and student loans (32). In the first and second quarters of 2025, more than $3.8 million was recovered through nearly 2,800 complaints.

Examples of consumer complaints successfully resolved by DFR advocates in the third quarter include:

• A consumer’s home caught fire from an errant firework over the July 4 holiday. The claim was not progressing to the consumer’s satisfaction, so they filed a complaint. The insurer completed a subsequent review, which led to an increase in the scope of work for the repairs. This resulted in an additional $40,872.18 being paid to the consumer. This additional review also consisted of a reinspection of the overall claim, which opened more negotiations on the costs for plumbing and windows.

• A consumer had an upcoming surgery scheduled. She called the insurance company to find out how much she would owe out of pocket due to the facility being out of network, but the insurer could not provide her the information. She received a bill for $42,009.82, which was a shock, so she filed a complaint. After reviewing the complaint, the insurer negotiated a single-case agreement with the facility. The claim was then reprocessed and the consumer’s responsibility changed to $3,316.55.

• A consumer’s husband has a long-term care policy. As the husband is disabled and qualifies for benefits under his policy, his wife called the company to make a claim and asked about providers for his care. She was told by a company representative that as long as the independent provider is licensed, she can choose the provider they want. An independent caregiver was hired based on the advice given. Claims were filed, but were denied, as the information provided was incorrect. After the consumer filed the complaint, and the company listened to the phone recording that provided misinformation, the insurer overturned its decision and approved the provider and agreed to pay the claims.

“I am very proud of the level professionalism and expertise our consumer advocates display every day to help Oregonians,” said Sean O’Day, director of the Department of Consumer and Business Services, which includes the Division of Financial Regulation. “They are helping people with issues that have real impacts on the daily lives of Oregonians and they often bring positive resolutions to those families.”

Anyone who may need a consumer advocate can call 888-877-4894 (toll-free) or email dfr.insurancehelp@dcbs.oregon.gov for insurance-related issues and dfr.finanicialserviceshelp@dcbs.oregon.gov for financial-related issues.

“Our team of industry experts continues to put its knowledge to work for the benefit of Oregonians,” said TK Keen, DFR administrator and Oregon insurance commissioner. “They deal with many cases that are highly complex and take a lot of time to navigate, but their work does not go unnoticed and I am happy to see so much money going back to hard-working people.”

Here is the list of complaints through the first three quarters of 2025:

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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.

Oregon DFR Joins NASAA, Other States, In Multimillion Dollar Settlement With Investment Institutions (Photo) - 12/03/25

Salem –  The Oregon Division of Financial Regulation has joined the North American Securities Administrators Association (NASAA) in a multimillion dollar settlement with five investment institutions. The settlement resulted from an investigation by state securities regulators into the practice of charging unreasonable commissions to retail customers on small-dollar transactions by Edward Jones, LPL Financial, RBC, Stifel, and TD Ameritrade. In the five-year period covered by the investigation, data shows that, nationwide, the firms charged approximately $19 million to process $1.12 million small-dollar equity transactions and trades.

The signed consent orders totaled over $361,000 going back to Oregonians. Oregon DFR Administrator TK Keen said it is important that states continue to work together.

“Oregonians work hard for their money, and deserve a fair deal every time they invest or make a trade,” Keen said. “When Oregonians were charged excessive commissions on everyday transactions, this office and our fellow regulators nationwide quickly stepped in and got restitution back to harmed Oregon investors.”

The following consent orders were entered:

• Edward Jones will repay Oregon investors $203,494.79 (plus 6 percent interest) and pay a civil penalty of $100,000 to DFR.
• LPL Financial will repay Oregon investors $31,526.08 (plus 6 percent interest) and pay a civil penalty of $20,000 to DFR.  
• Stifel will repay Oregon investors $9,752.39 (plus 6 percent interest) and pay a civil penalty of $20,000 to DFR.
• TD Ameritrade will repay Oregon investors $11,220.85 (plus 6 percent interest) and pay a civil penalty of $15,000 to DFR.
• RBC will repay Oregon investors $105,309.85 (plus 6 percent interest) and pay a civil penalty of $20,000 to DFR.

The consent orders censure the firms for their actions and require the firms to review and improve their policies, procedures, and supervision efforts relating to commissions on equity transactions to prevent similar overcharges in the future. The firms are responsible for directly notifying and providing restitution to affected Oregon customers. In most cases, affected Oregon investors will not need to take any action to receive their funds.  Further, DFR will receive a report detailing the restitution paid, which will include dates, amounts, and methods of transfer of funds for all restitution payments.

Keen encourages all investors to review their account statements and trade confirmations and contact the division if they believe they have been overcharged or misled.

“Whether it’s a few hundred dollars or a few thousand, the division will stand up for Oregon’s investors and hold firms accountable when they break the rules,” he said. “We will continue to aggressively police unreasonable fees and commissions and protect Oregon families from financial harm.”

DFR’s consumer advocates are available to help people by phone at 1-888-877-4894 (toll-free) or email at dfr.insurancehelp@dcbs.oregon.gov or dfr.financialserviceshelp@dcbs.oregon.gov.

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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.

Keen Named Oregon Insurance Commissioner (Photo) - 12/03/25

Don’t Let Scammers Feast On Your Finances This Thanksgiving (Photo) - 11/20/25

Salem – The Oregon Division of Financial Regulation (DFR) warns investors to stay alert for financial frauds and imposters dishing out scams this holiday season.

As Thanksgiving approaches, DFR reminds investors to be alert for scammers that are setting the table for financial fraud. Don’t let a con artist carve into your savings this holiday season.

According to the North American Securities Administrators Association’s (NASAA) 2025 enforcement report, scams involving digital assets, social media, and impersonation remain among the top threats this year. Artificial intelligence (AI) has made it easier for criminals to cook up convincing deceptions. Fraudsters can clone voices, generate fake videos, and impersonate trusted people or institutions, all to mislead victims into sharing personal information, transferring funds, or granting access to accounts or devices. These scams are increasingly sophisticated and can be financially devastating for victims and their loved ones.

“Scammers are serving up more convincing schemes than ever before,” said TK Keen, DFR administrator. “Before you hand over your hard-earned money, take a moment to verify who you’re dealing with. A quick check can keep your savings off the fraudster’s menu.”

DFR encourages investors to follow these steps to help keep their finances safe.

• Check the ingredients: Always verify that any investment professional or firm is properly registered in Oregon.
• Don’t bite too fast: Be cautious with unsolicited investment offers, especially those shared through social media, texts, or messaging apps.
• Avoid the pressure cooker: If someone’s pushing you to “act now,” that’s a red flag. Real opportunities don’t come with an expiration timer. Remember, if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
• Pass along the warning: If you suspect a scam or have been the victim of a financial fraud, report it to law enforcement or your state securities regulator.

You can learn more about investment frauds and how to protect yourself by visiting DFR’s website on avoiding investment fraud and NASAA’s investor education resources center.

If anyone feels they have been a victim of fraud can contact one of our consumer advocates at 1-888-877-4894 (toll-free) or email dfr.financialserviceshelp.dcbs.oregon.gov.

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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.

State Of Oregon To Host Virtual Public Meeting On Prescription Drug Prices Dec. 4 (Photo) - 11/20/25

Salem – The Oregon Department of Consumer and Business Services’ (DCBS) Division of Financial Regulation (DFR) will be hosting a public hearing on prescription drug prices on Thursday, Dec. 4, at 1:30 p.m. via Zoom.

The public is invited to participate and here are some ways you can:

Let your voice be heard: DFR is asking for the public’s help before the 2025 public hearing. The division has set up a brief survey for consumers to share their stories about rising prescription drug prices. Drug prices play a major role in health care decisions of Oregonians, and the cost of prescription drugs have steadily increased. The division wants to hear your stories about the costs of prescription drugs and how it has affected you and your family. The previous testimonials are available on our website.

Attend the hearing via Zoom: There will be opportunities for public comment, and Oregon legislators will serve as moderators for panel presentations. The legislators include Sen. Deb Patterson, Sen. Diane Linthicum, Rep. Emerson Levy, and Rep. Rob Nosse. We encourage you to testify at the hearing or provide written testimony. For more information about the hearing, email rx.prices@dcbs.oregon.gov.

DFR has invited speakers to talk about biosimilars and their marketing. A biosimilar is a biologic product that has been found to have no clinically meaningful differences from its comparable brand-name medication by the FDA. Those speakers include:

• Benjamin N. Rome (Harvard Medical School)
• Alex Keeton (Association for Accessible Medicines)
• Michael Reilly (Alliance for Safe Biologic Medicines)

Invited presenters to speak about challenges and ideas for financing drugs that create issues for traditional insurance financing models include:

• Daniel Ollendorf (Institute for Clinical and Economic Review – ICER)
• Deborah “Dee” Weston (Oregon Health Authority)
• Sharon Lamberton (PhRMA)

You can learn more about the agenda on our website. There will be opportunities for public comment. Oregon Insurance Commissioner TK Keen will facilitate the hearing.

The Prescription Drug Price Transparency Act (ORS 646A.689) directed the Oregon Department of Consumer and Business Services to establish a transparency program to accept reports and disclose certain information from prescription drug manufacturers, health insurance carriers, and consumers on drug prices.

The goal of the program is to provide accountability for prescription drug pricing through the notice and disclosure of specific drug costs and price information from pharmaceutical manufacturers, health insurers, and consumers.
 

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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.