Item 3: Ratification of IGR Committee Actions and Direction on Legislative Policy

Home Browse Search

URL:http://www.leg.state.or.us/09reg/measpdf/hb2300.dir/hb2379.intro.pdf RespondentDept Updated Priority Policy Poli Numb Recommendation Contact Larry Hill Larry Hill CS-FIN 1/15/2009 Pri 2 Yes YesII. B1 Oppose Comments: HB 2379 would create entirely new statutory language that would impose a new state cigarette tax in addition to the existing state cigarette tax. The new stature would impose distribution schedule for the new revenue that would result in cities and counties receiving far smaller share that is recieved under the existing cigarette tax statutes. This would mean a net reduction in the percentage share of total cigarette tax revenue that the City of Eugene and other local government would receive. The alterntive that the City should support should be a simple increase in the existing cigaterre tax while the current percentage shares of total revenue are maintained as they are. The City of Eugene's current share of state cigerette tax revenue will be an estimated $262,000 in FY09. Cities may use their share for general government purposes, without program restrictions on their use. Oregon’s cigarette tax was approved in 1967. When it passed, the tax was $0.04 per pack, with 50 percent of the tax designated for property tax relief and 50 percent to be distributed to cities and counties. Since then, the amount of tax on cigarettes has increased but cities’ proportionate share of the tax revenue has shrunk, from 33 percent to just 1.7 percent of the total tax (a second penny was added for cities in 1986). The current tax rate is $1.18 per pack of 20 cigarettes. Despite the tax increase, cigarette tax revenues have generall been declining each year. Revenue from the tax is allocated as follows: $0.22 to the State General Fund, $0.87 to the Oregon Health Plan, $0.02 to cities, $0.02 to counties, $0.02 to the Oregon Department of Transportation for transportation services to the elderly and disabled, and $0.03 to the Tobacco Use Reduction Account. HB 2385 Relating Clause: Relating to smoking in a motor vehicle. Title: Creates offense of smoking in motor vehicle while person under age of 17 is in motor vehicle. Punishes by maximum fine of $90 for first offense, $180 for second offense and $360 for third or subsequent offense. Sponsored by: By Representative RILEY; Representatives HOLVEY, KOMP, Senator BURDICK URL:http://www.leg.state.or.us/09reg/measpdf/hb2300.dir/hb2385.intro.pdf ContactRespondentDept Updated Priority Policy Poli Numb Recommendation ECushman D. Schulz EPD-ADM 1/19/2009 Pri 3 No No Neutral Comments: This bill is really a bill related to public health, rather than to traffic safety or any other area in which law enforcement agencies normally operate. From a public health standpoint, it is arguably a good thing to keep those under age 17 from suffering the effects of second-hand smoke while inside a vehicle. However, enforcement would be difficult and, given the necessary emphasis on enforcing traffic laws which directly relate to driving behaviors that result in traffic crashes, could not be an enforcement priority. SB 0024 Relating Clause: Relating to health benefit plan coverage of telemedical services. Title: Requires health benefit plan to provide coverage of medically necessary, evidence-based telemedical health service that meets specified criteria if health service is otherwise covered by plan. Applies to plans contracted for or renewed on or after effective date of Act. Sponsored by: Senate Interim Committee on Health and Human Services 12