Item 3: Ratification of Intergovernmental Relations Committee Actions

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HB 2891 Ms. Bettman questioned why staff had made the decision to adopt a position of Priority 3 Oppose. Ms. Towle explained that it had been reviewed by the League of Oregon Cities (LOC) committee that she sat on and the committee had taken the position to oppose it. She said the main issue was that there was a long- standing tradition in certifying a labor union of having an anonymous election. She related that the bill would change that long-standing principle that the process to certify a union should not be able to be influenced by the employer or the union. She noted that it was supported by the AFL-CIO but she was uncertain why. Mayor Piercy asked if Ms. Towle thought the bill was important to oppose. Ms. Towle replied that it would not likely impact the City. Ms. Wilson noted that the LOC would be testifying in opposition to the bill on April 9. Ms. Bettman, seconded by Mayor Piercy, moved to change the status of the bill to Drop. The motion passed unanimously, 3:0. SB 690 Ms. Bettman felt the bill singled out medical marijuana among the other prescription medications employees could be taking. Ms. Towle said she had consulted the City Attorney but had not heard back at this point. She assured her that protection provided to someone who used a medication did not come from which medication a person was taken, rather it came from the underlying condition. Ms. Bettman observed that an employee would be required to notify the employer when he or she was going to consume the medical marijuana. Ms. Towle replied that the concern had to do with safety. She underscored that Eugene had a city policy and all of the labor agreements included a requirement that any employee inform the City if he or she was taking any medication that could potentially impact his or her work. She said the employee in question and his or her medical needs would be assessed by staff in order to determine whether the person should be given modified duty. Ms. Bettman asked if someone who consumed marijuana for a medical condition would have to knock on his or her supervisor’s door and ask to be able to “smoke a joint.” Ms. Towle responded that it was a one-time notice. Ms. Bettman asked why the bill called out medical marijuana specifically. Ms. Towle explained that it was due to a “reverse concern” as there was a bill that authorized medical marijuana and some were concerned that medical marijuana use was now more protected than other prescription medications. Mayor Piercy said she wanted a legal opinion in order to ensure that the bill was not trying to make it more arduous for that particular population. Ms. Towle reiterated that staff’s position was that medical marijuana should be treated the same as other drugs. Ms. Bettman, seconded by Ms. Taylor, moved to adopt a Priority 2 Monitor stance on the bill. The motion passed unanimously, 3:0. HB 3370 Ms. Taylor wanted to change the stance to Neutral. MINUTES—Council Committee on Intergovernmental Relations April 5, 2007 Page 11