Item B: 2009 Legislative Policies Document

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City of Eugene Legislative Policies for 2009 Oregon Legislative Session ?Eugene supports the state role to police licensing laws while not imposing this enforcement as an unfunded burden on local jurisdictions which distracts from their primary charge of ensuring safe, energy efficient, and accessible buildings. ?Eugene opposes restricting local programs or local authority. Building codes have become a complex burden for jurisdictions administering the codes and for those in the building industry. Certain actions would simplify the codes for all parties, making their administration more cost-effective and maintaining the integrity of their intent to promote public health, welfare and safety. Additionally, the inconsistent manner in which building codes are currently administered and enforced throughout the state has caused an atmosphere of uncertainty and unpredictability and has created competition between jurisdictions with regard to development activity. Finally, funding should be identified before enactment of legsilative changes that require local adminsitration to compensate for such items as personnel training, information and training for the public, and added review. Examples include enforcement of trade licenses, verification of contractor licensing, monitoring of architect and engineer law, proper disposal of mercury thermostats, etc., all added to the permitting process. C. HOUSING ?Eugene supports assistance to residents when manufactured home parks are closed or when rental units are converted to condominiums. ?Eugene supports incentives for compact urban growth. ?Eugene supports incentives and subsidies for housing that features sustainable building materials and practices. ?Eugene supports the development of low-income and affordable housing while considering the interests of cities and their citizens. ?Eugene supports the repeal of ORS 197.309 which prohibits local jurisdictions from requiring affordable housing as a condition of development approval (“inclusionary zoning”). ?Eugene supports the prohibition on insurance companies from either denying insurance coverage for housing because it has public financing or increasing its premiums for such coverage. ?Eugene supports broadening the eligibility requirements for housing assistance, without compromising the existing low-income assistance requirements. ?Eugene supports continued and immediate funding of affordable housing development through the Housing Trust Fund and a funding goal of at least $100 million this biennium. ?Eugene supports state supported homeless shelters. 14