Item 3: Ratification of Intergovernmental Relations Committee Actions

Home Browse Search

Ms. Bettman noted that the bill was moving and because of this she wanted to increase the priority. Ms. Bettman, seconded by Mr. Pryor, moved to change the stance on the bill from Priority 3 Support to Priority 2 Support. The motion passed unanimously, 3:0. HB 2964 Ms. Wilson stated that HB 2964 was a companion bill to HB 2839 and was also moving. Ms. Bettman, seconded by Ms. Taylor, moved to change the stance on the bill from Priority 3 Support to Priority 2 Support. The motion passed unanimously, 3:0. HB 2031-B Mr. Hill explained that HB 2031-B and HB 2707-C had been part of the package negotiated by the Legislature and had been passed and signed into law by the Governor. Regarding the annexation bills, Ms. Bettman had hoped that the bills would go back to staff for reevaluation given the policy direction that occurred at the work session held on April 11. Ms. Wilson stated that at present staff was monitoring those bills. Ms. Bettman requested that the bills be reevaluated en masse with the recommendations reflected in the new policy for the next CCIGR meeting. HB 2731 Ms. Bettman asked if staff had any idea of what portion of the tax revenue would be dedicated to public safety. Mr. Hill replied that 25 percent of the monies collected under the additional tax on malt beverages would go to the mental health, alcoholism, and drug services account and the state police would receive 75 percent of the money. He said none of the revenue would be allocated to local governments. He noted that he had suggested in his comments that an amendment to send a share to local governments was worth considering. He related that the League of Oregon Cities had conducted a study that the City of Eugene had participated in that demonstrated that the City was spending in excess of the money it received from alcohol for alcohol-related purposes. He felt the City could clearly justify additional money from alcohol taxes for local government activities, especially law enforcement and social services. After some discussion, Ms. Bettman averred that the CCIGR should take a Support with amendment stand on the bill to request that some money be allocated to local jurisdictions. Mr. Hill suggested the amendment state that the money be allocated so that local government received 25 percent, mental health services received 25 percent, and the Oregon State Police received 50 percent. Ms. Bettman, seconded by Mr. Pryor, moved to increase the Priority to Priority 2 with the aforementioned amendment. The motion passed unanimously, 3:0. HB 3257 Mr. Hill reported that the proposal to establish a state property tax had not had a hearing. He said it “alarmed” the people working in the Finance Division. Ms. Bettman asked if that was because the dollar was not in addition to the cap. Mr. Hill replied that it MINUTES—Council Committee on Intergovernmental Relations April 12, 2007 Page 8