Item 3: Discuss and Approve Non-Unanimous IGR Positions

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ATTACHMENT B IGR BILL REPORT MARCH 11, 2009 CITY OF EUGENE HB 2542 Relating Clause: Relating to vehicles. Title: Defines 'medium-speed electric vehicle' for purposes of Oregon Vehicle Code. Creates offense of unlawfully operating medium-speed electric vehicle on highway. Punishes by maximum fine of $360. Directs Department of Transportation to adopt safety standards for low-speed vehicles and medium-speed electric vehicles. Sets registration fee for medium-speed electric vehicles. Sponsored by: Representative CAMERON; Representatives BAILEY, BARKER, BERGER, CANNON, CLEM, SHIELDS, THATCHER URL:http://www.leg.state.or.us/09reg/measpdf/hb2500.dir/hb2542.intro.pdf ContactRespondentDept Updated Priority Policy Poli Numb Recommendation Eric Jones Eric Jones PW-ADM 2/5/2009 Pri 3 No No Support Comments: Several bills (e.g., HB 2492, HB 2542, SB 420) are aimed at the operation of non- standard vehicles such as golf carts, electric-assisted bicycles and, in this case, medium- speed electric vehicles. While no specific legislative policy addresses these bills, two over-arching policies should be considered: sustainability (including the use of alternate modes of transportation and vehicles that do not use carbon-based fuels); and traffic safety. This bill appears to address vehicles such as the Gizmo (which no longer is being produced), which have maximum speeds below minimum posted highway speeds. The bill deserves support because it fairly addresses traffic safety concerns (by not allowing these light-weight, slower vehicles on highways posted at 45 mph or more) without prohibiting them on lower-speed streets. The bill also provides for an annual registration fee ($54), which helps pay for traffic enforcement and other operational requirements (lighting, signs and signals, striping) required for a safe transportation system. These vehicles cause little or no damage to pavements and should not pay a full registration fee because a portion of registration fees goes to pavement repair. Therefore, an amendment reducing the annual registration fee to $27 per year (which is what hybrid and electric cars pay) or even $15 per year (which is what motorcycles and mopeds pay) might be fairer and more in line with incentives to purchase low-impact vehicles. ContactRespondentDept Updated Priority Policy Poli Numb Recommendation Tom Larsen Tom Larsen PWM 2/5/2009 Pri 3 No No Support Comments: This bill allows use of small electric vehicles on lower speed roads and directs the State Transportation Department to establish state wide safety standards for such vehicles. It also establishes a registration fee for those vehicles that meet the standards. There is no specific benefit or burden placed on the city by this bill, but establishing state standards for safety and performance of low speed electric vehicles will help support future efforts to develop such vehicles. HB 2564 Relating Clause: Relating to motor vehicles. Title: Permits person to provide Department of Transportation with odometer disclosure form for vehicle 10 years old or older. 1