Item 3: Ratification of Unanimous IGR Actions

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URL:http://www.leg.state.or.us/bills_laws/concepts/sen/SB1008.pdf Contact Respondent Dept Updated Priority Policy Policy No Recommendation E. Cushman D. Mozan EPD-ADM 01/26/2010 Pri 3 No Support Comments: We support this bill, which was introduced at the request of the Senate Interim Committee on Judiciary. The primary impact of the bill will be to limit the ability for certain persons convicted of more than one felony to petition for relief from the provision that they not possess firearms. We do not believe that persons who have been convicted of multiple felonies should be able to possess firearms because of the potential threat those persons present to members of the community and to officers. The bill also adds wording to clarify that certain firearms restrictions apply to mentally ill persons who have been committed to the Department of Human Services as well as to the Oregon Health Authority (although persons in this category are allowed to petition for relief from those restrictions). SB 1009 Relating Clause: Relating to plastic bags; creating new provisions; amending ORS 459.235 and 459A.115; repealing ORS 459A.695; and declaring an emergency. Title: Prohibits use of plastic bags as checkout bags. Allows Department of Environmental Quality to impose civil penalty. Repeals statute requiring retail establishments that offer plastic bags to customers to also offer paper bags. Declares emergency, effective on passage. Sponsored By: Sponsored by Senator HASS; Senator ATKINSON (Presession filed.) URL:http://www.leg.state.or.us/bills_laws/concepts/sen/SB1009.pdf Contact Respondent Dept Updated Priority Policy Policy No Recommendation Ethan Nelson PDD-BPS 01/26/2010 Pri 3 Yes VII.A.4b Oppose Comments: This bill's goal is to reduce the environmental impact of plastic bags. If the bill were passed, it would most likely accomplish this goal with a tangible benefit to 1) decreased litter, 2) reduction of contamination in material recovery facilities (MRF) and 3) decrease in environmental pollutants associated with the manufacture of plastic bags. But, the reason to oppose this bill is that there would be a rebounding environmental impact in that disposable bags would still be available at checkouts. This means paper bags or alternatives. While paper bags are more likely to be recycled than plastic, the environmental impacts (including production of GHG’s) associated with the production of paper bags far outweigh those associated with plastic bags. Other alternatives include oxy-degradable bags. These bags only break into smaller pieces and the impact to the environment of these is not known. Additionally, when they break down in a landfill they increase production of methane. Lastly, the degradable bags are very difficult to discern between plastic bags, which if source separated, can be recycled, therefore possibly 7 | Page