Item 3: Discuss and Approve Non-Unanimous IGR Positions

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Comments: We strongly oppose this bill, which would allow felons who are prohibited from possessing firearms to petition a justice court to eliminate that prohibition. (The bill would expand a provision of law open to certain other categories of individuals to encompass convicted felons.) First, we oppose this on principle. Convicted felons, under Oregon law, have forfeited their right to possess firearms. We see no reason to open the door to possibly allow such a person to possess a firearm. Such individuals have been proven to have decided to violate serious laws, by virtue of having been convicted by a court for a felony offense. To allow such a person to legally possess a firearm arguably creates a danger to society. In addition, we have a concern about the procedure, which entails the person making application to a justice court "in the petitioner's county of residence that is reasonably accessible to the petitioner." That essentially allows the person to petition any justice court in the county where the petitioner lives. The law requires that the police chief of the city where the court is located be notified or, if the court is not in a city, that notification be made to the county sheriff. However, this would mean that a Eugene resident could file such a petition in either the Florence or Oakridge Justice Court, and the police chief of that jurisdiction (who may not even know the individual) would receive the notification. EPD would not even know the petition had been filed, and thus not have the opportunity to contest the petition under provisions of ORS 166.274(5). We believe that public safety is best served by continuing to prohibit convicted felons from possessing firearms. SB 0576 Relating Clause: Relating to local government recommendations on liquor licenses. Title: Allows county or city to make binding recommendation to Oregon Liquor Control Commission regarding application for issuance or renewal of full on-premises sales license or limited on-premises sales license. Requires commission to follow recommendation unless applicant establishes good cause to disregard recommendation. Sponsored by: Senator MORRISETTE URL:http://www.leg.state.or.us/09reg/measpdf/sb0500.dir/sb0576.intro.pdf ContactRespondentDept Updated Priority Policy Poli Numb Recommendation Steve Nystrom Mike McKerrow PDD-ADM 2/26/2009 Pri 2 Yes YesVIII. D Support Comments: Bill allows City to have more impact on OLCC granted licenses. SB 0592 Relating Clause: Relating to DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) samples. Title: Requires law enforcement agency to take DNA sample of person arrested for felony. Requires destruction of sample, upon person's request, if arrest leads to acquittal, dismissal, reversal of conviction or expiration of statute of limitations. Sponsored by: Senator FERRIOLI (at the request of Karen Foster in memory of Bonnie Craig) URL:http://www.leg.state.or.us/09reg/measpdf/sb0500.dir/sb0592.intro.pdf ContactRespondentDept Updated Priority Policy Poli Numb Recommendation E. Cushman E. Cushman EPD-ADM 2/25/2009 Pri 3 No No Oppose Comments: 16