Item 3: Ratification of Intergovernmental Relations Committee Actions

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Mr. Pryor asked about the current law and what the bill changed. Ms. Daut said the law currently encouraged employers to make accommodation for breast feeding available. The bill was more specific than that. She had not recommended support for the bill because of the council’s policy related to mandates. Ms. Daut noted that initially, the bill was targeted at school districts. Ms. Bettman said breastfeeding was a health issue for both mother and baby as well as a gender equity issue. She believed that breast-feeding mothers were discriminated against in the work place. Mr. Pryor also supported the bill. Ms. Wilson noted that the bill had passed the House. Ms. Bettman, seconded by Mr. Pryor, moved to change the status of the bill to Priority 3, Support. The motion passed unanimously, 3:0. HB 2761 Ms. Feldman recommended the committee take a position of monitor on the bill, which would allow cities, counties, and special districts to employ instant runoff voting. She noted that the Association of County Clerks was very opposed to the bill because should individual jurisdictions opt to do use that approach, it would be the jurisdiction’s responsibility to cover all the added costs. The jurisdiction would have to pay for the needed technology or hand counting. It would require separate ballots, adding to the mailing costs. Ms. Bettman pointed out the bill did not mandate instant runoff voting. Ms. Taylor, seconded by Ms. Bettman, moved to change the status of the bill to Priority 3, Support. The motion passed unanimously, 3:0. Mr. Pryor indicated support for the bill because it did not mandate instant runoff voting. HJR 43 Ms. Feldman said the resolution was the same as SJR 17, which she recommended the City oppose. She said the Oregon Revised Statutes provided for registered voters to update their registration until 8 p.m. on Registration Day, or until the polls closed. This would allow those who moved from out of state to register on Election Day without a way of verifying whether they voted that day in another state. Some believed it would lead to massive voter fraud. Mr. Pryor, seconded by Ms. Bettman, moved to change the status of the bill to Priority 2, Oppose. The motion passed unanimously, 3:0 Mayor Piercy had concerns about people being able to register closer to the election date but was persuaded by Ms. Feldman’s comments to support the staff recommendation. Ms. Bettman pointed out that with mail- in ballots people had three weeks to vote and plenty of time to register. SB 972 MINUTES—Council Committee on Intergovernmental Relations April 19, 2007 Page 6