Item 3: Ratification of Unanimous IGR Actions and Action on Non-Unanimous IGR Actions

Home Browse Search

Comments: See also HB 2646 (Rep. Mitch Greenlick is a sponsor of both bills) This bill attempts to mitigate the cost of repairing pavement damaged by the use of studded tires by imposing a fee on the retail sale and installation of studs in tires. Unlike HB 2646, this bill does not include a law enforcement requirement. Rather, it includes a financial incentive (5% of fees paid by retailers for retailers) to for retailers to collect the fee. From a public policy perspective, there are two reasons why the City should support this measure: - the cost (in damage to pavements) far outweighs the benefits of using studded tires, particularly in the Willamette Valley. In terms of safety as a benefit, studded tires on dry or wet pavements reduce safety (because the amount of tire surface in contact with the pavement is significantly less with studs than without). Additionally, studded tires accelerate pavement rutting (with attendant hydroplaning and ice accumulation during winter months) and wear off lane stripes, all of which create safety hazards. - A portion of the revenues collected under this bill would go to the City of Eugene's road fund through the city's share of the State Highway Trust Fund. In turn, these revenues would be used to repair pavements damaged by studded tires. HB 3065 Relating Clause: Relating to official misconduct; declaring an emergency. Title: Increases maximum penalty for crime of official misconduct in first degree to maximum of five years’ imprisonment, $125,000 fine, or both. Sponsored by: By Representative BARKER (at the request of Department of Justice) URL: http://www.leg.state.or.us/11reg/measpdf/hb3000.dir/hb3065.intro.pdf Contact Respondent Dept Updated Priority Recommendation Jerry Lidz CS-CMO-ATTY 2/6/2011 Pri 3 Oppose Comments: This bill would broaden the definition of the crime of official misconduct and enhance the penalties substantially. It's an okay idea in principle, but the definition of the crime is awfully vague to make the penalties as serious as this bill does. I'm not aware of anything about the current statute that has made it ineffective. The enhanced penalties would make the wise discretion of the prosecutor extremely important, and we don't know who will be the AG and DA in the future. In the hands of the wrong person, this bill would create a potential for politically motivated prosecutions of public officials. Contact Respondent Dept Updated Priority Recommendation Chuck Tilby EPD-ADM 2/8/2011 Pri 3 Oppose Comments: In addition to Lidz statement, the definition of misdemeanor involving violence is referred to in the section of law dealing with concealed handgun licensing and the felony described in Crime Commission. Neither of these are exact. Increasing crime class is not a bad idea, this is just an unusual way of defining what is illegal. 6