Item 6: Ratification of IGR Minutes and Direction on Legislative Policy

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HB 2447 Ms. Taylor moved to drop the bill from consideration. The motion died for lack of a sec- ond. HB 2459 Ms. Taylor wanted to change the status of the bill, which would make English the official language of the state, to a Priority 3. Mr. Pryor and Ms. Bettman preferred a Priority 1 position. Mr. Rikhoff said the legislation in question was largely symbolic, inherently racist, and a false argument about the survival of English. He noted that 95 percent of immigrants understood the need to learn English. Ms. Taylor questioned the need to take a strong position given the bill was not going anywhere. Mr. Pryor, seconded by Ms. Bettman, moved to change the status of the bill to Priority 1, Oppose. The motion passed unanimously, 3:0. House Joint Resolution 12 Ms. Wilson reported that Ms. Taylor had proposed to drop the resolution, which was related to the bill establishing Korean American Day, from consideration. Ms. Bettman and Mr. Pryor did not support dropping the resolution. HB 2210 Ms. Wilson said the bill, a renewable energy bill, would be amended to allow the City of Portland to adopt its own renewable energy standards. Ms. Bettman suggested it be amended to allow all metropolitan areas to adopt their own standards. She said the bill currently had a status of Priority 2, Support, but assumed that would change if the bill was amended in such a way. The committee concurred. Ms. Bettman, seconded by Mr. Pryor, moved to support the bill with an amendment that would allow any metropolitan area to take advantage of the legislation. The motion passed unanimously, 3:0. SB 417 Ms. Wilson said the boundary commission bill was making progress and a work group had been formed that included the League of Oregon Cities. There appeared to be confusion over where the boundary commis- sion’s duties would fall if the commission was eliminated as State law does not allow those duties to be assumed by the County. She said if those duties fall to the cities, it would mean that all 12 cities in Lane County would have their own annexation rules. Ms. Bettman requested an informational sheet on the bill. Ms. Wilson agreed. Mayor Piercy expressed concern that the legislature was not hearing from the City because of the neutral position the council had taken on the proposed legislation when it was assumed the commission’s duties would be assumed by Lane County. Ms. Bettman, seconded by Mr. Pryor, moved to change the status of the bill to Priority 1, MINUTES—Council Committee on Intergovernmental Relations March 9, 2007 Page 7