Item 4: Ratification of IGR Committee Actions

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disagree with the legislative policies, he wondered if the City would be protecting a potential funding source because it was important to the City or only on principle. Ms. Bettman said to her, it was not a philosophical exercise and she wanted to explore the possibility of imposing such a tax in the future. She felt the bill would take away a funding tool the City had. Ms. Wilson said the League of Oregon Cities was adamantly opposed and had done a survey of the state’s school districts, finding that most had no intention of passing this type of tax because it would not raise enough revenue to fund school construction. Mr. Pryor expressed concern that opposing the bill would send a message to school districts that the City supported them as long it did not cost the City money, but said he would go along. Ms. Bettman declared the opposition unanimous. HB 3295-A Mr. Hill said the bill, which would establish principal residence property tax exemption for senior citizens and people with disabilities, had been rewritten to apply only as an exemption from school-related local option property taxes. He said there was no need for this exemption, because low income seniors and disabled persons can already obtain property tax relief under the existing homestead property tax deferral program. Ms. Bettman inquired about the bill’s status. Ms. Wilson replied that it had been referred to the Revenue Committee, one of the committees that would not shut down when the session ended. Ms. Taylor moved, seconded by Mr. Pryor, to Oppose Priority 3. The vote was unanimous, 3:0. HB 2712-A Ms. Bettman said the measure seemed to be a preemption bill that did not create any funding for the land division task force that would be created by the bill. Ms. Wilson noted that the bill was in the Ways and Means Committee, because there was no funding attached to it. Ms. Bettman inquired about the amendments. Ms. Wilson said the bill would now require studying the issue, still with no provision for funding, and she expected it not to be funded. Ms. Bettman moved, seconded by Ms. Taylor, to Oppose Priority 3. The vote passed unanimously. SB 855-A This bill would provide relief to counties losing federal Secure Rural Schools Act funding. Mr. Jones said the measure would give counties $30 million from Oregon Department of Transportation’s share of State Highway Trust Fund revenue and would not diminish the share already apportioned to cities or counties. Staff recommended supporting the bill to support Lane County, which would be hard hit if federal funds dried up. Ms. Bettman moved, seconded by Mr. Pryor, to Support Priority 2. The vote passed unanimously, 3:0.