Item 5: Action: Discussion and Approval of Non-Unanimous IGR Positions

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A 2005 NHTSA publication identified the age group of 20 to 29 year olds as having the highest percentage of motorcycle crash fatalities. In that same study, the age group with the second highest fatal crash rate is the 40-49 age group, with the 30-39 coming in the third highest. In a 2006 NHSTA study, all of the research data used showed an increase over the past 10 years in the number of fatal motorcycle crashes involving riders 40 years of age and older. That same study indicated that about two-thirds (66%) of the fatally injured motorcycle riders in states without universal helmet laws in 2004 were not wearing their helmets compared to 15% in states with universal helmet laws. In 2004, motorcycles made up nearly 2.4 percent of all registered vehicles in the United States and accounted for only 0.3% of all vehicle miles traveled. In comparison, motorcycle riders accounted for 5.3% of total traffic crash fatalities in 1995, with that number increasing to 9.4% of the total traffic crash fatalities in 2004. Per vehicle mile traveled in 2004, motorcycle riders were about 34 times more likely than passenger car occupants to die in a motor vehicle traffic crash. And the helmet law does not only affect motorcycle operators. By reducing the number of deaths and the severity of injuries suffered by motorcycle operators, other drivers involved in these crashes are spared some of the trauma of being involved in a crash involving a fatality or serious injury, and the burden on the overall health care system is reduced. ContactRespondentDept Updated Priority Policy Poli Numb Recommendation Glen Potter Glen Potter EFD 1/30/2009 Pri 2 Oppose Comments: This bill would relax Oregon's existing law requiring all motorcycle operators to wear a helmet, instead applying the requirement only to operators under 21 years of age. Helmets save lives. HB 2615 Relating Clause: Relating to urban renewal. Title: Requires majority approval by county governing body of urban renewal plan proposed, substantially amended or extended in area by city of 300,000 within county boundaries. Permits urban renewal agency to use urban renewal moneys to provide social services in urban renewal area. Requires urban renewal agency that proposes to provide social services to describe services and to report results of study comparing economic viability of plan with and without services. Sponsored by: Representative KAHL URL:http://www.leg.state.or.us/09reg/measpdf/hb2600.dir/hb2615.intro.pdf ContactRespondentDept Updated Priority Policy Poli Numb Recommendation Richie Weinman PDD-DEV 2/13/2009 Pri 1 Yes II. A3 Oppose Comments: This directly relates to our legislative policy that states "Eugene opposes additonal consent requirements for new or amended urban renewal plans. It also relates to our legislative policy that "Eugene opposes mandating that a portion of urban renewal funds be spent on particular types of projects" This bill would give the county significant power over the City of Eugene and would take away City Council power to decided how to best use funds. HB 2616 Relating Clause: Relating to local government tobacco taxes; prescribing an effective date. Title: Removes prohibition against local government imposition of taxes on cigarettes and tobacco products. Applies to cigarettes and tobacco products distributed after effective date of Act. Takes effect on 91st day following adjournment sine die. 4