Item 2C: Ratif. of IGR Actions - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

committee and the administration burden mentioned in the staff recommendation. She thought that the definition of "licensed health care professional" was already in State law. Ms. Taylor supported the bill. She thought marijuana should be legal. Ms. Bettman did not think the bill was a City issue, which was why she did not advocate for support of the bill. She thought it a medical health issue. Mr. Cushman said the departments' concern was striking the balance between those who need marijuana and were authorized to use it, and those who were growing without that approval. Ms. Bettman, seconded by Ms. Taylor, moved to change the status of the bill to Neutral with amendments. The motion passed unanimously. Mr. Lidz indicated his recommendation about SB 0790, related to remedies for whistle blowers, was because of his concern about the potential impact of punitive damages against a public body. Punitive damages were intended to punish a wrong doer and went beyond the actual damages a person experienced, and when one punishes a public body beyond the harm it caused, it reduced the funding available for public services and gave it to a private party. Responding to a question from Ms. Bettman about whether the City ever experienced a whistle blower case, Mr. Lidz did not know. He pointed out that the State law already protected whistle blowers. Ms. Bettman said that it was expensive and traumatic to sue, and punitive damages might be the only thing that gave an individual incentive to pursue a lawsuit. People would still have the burden of proving their case. Ms. Bettman, seconded by Ms. Taylor, moved to change the status of the bill from Oppose to Support. The motion passed unanimously. 3. Salem Report This item was not addressed. 4. Other Legislative Concerns This item was not addressed. The meeting adjourned at 10:30 a.m. (Recorded by Kimberly Young) MINUTES--Council Committee on Intergovernmental Relations March 31, 2005 Page 8