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HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 3: Discussion and Approval of IGR Positions ECC UGENE ITY OUNCIL AIS GENDA TEM UMMARY Ratification of Unanimous Intergovernmental Relations (IGR) Committee Actions and Discussion and Action on Non-Unanimous IGR Actions on Legislative Policy from April 15 and April 22, 2009 Meeting Date: April 27, 2009 Agenda Item Number: 3 Department: City Manager’s Office Staff Contact: Brenda Wilson www.eugene-or.gov Contact Telephone Number: 682-8441 ISSUE STATEMENT This is an action item to ratify the unanimous actions of the Intergovernmental Relations (IGR) Committee from the April 15 and April 22, 2009, IGR Committee meetings. BACKGROUND As a matter of procedure, during the legislative session, the City Council is routinely asked to ratify the actions taken by the Intergovernmental Relations (IGR) Committee on legislation. The IGR Committee reviews all bills and their associated staff recommendations and provides direction for each piece of legislation introduced during the legislative session. Any member of the IGR Committee may pull a bill off the IGR Bill Report for discussion. If a bill is not pulled for discussion, the staff recommendation stands. If a bill is pulled for discussion, the IGR Committee may keep or change the staff recommendation. Actions on which the IGR committee is not unanimous must be brought before the full City Council for consideration. These bills must be addressed by the full council in order to provide direction to staff in Salem. The IGR Committee met on April 15 and April 22, 2009, to review staff recommendations on bills that have been introduced in the state legislature. The minutes for these meetings are not ready for ratification by the full City Council at this time. However, the IGR Committee vote on several bills was not unanimous. Accordingly, the full council must provide direction before these bills can be lobbied in Salem. The bills for which there was not a unanimous vote are listed below.Staff comments for each bill are listed in the attached documents. Bills may be accessed via the Legislature’s website: http://www.leg.state.or.us/09reg/measures/main.html. April 15, 2009: HB 2865: This bill would allow collection of system development charges by local government only at time of issuance of building permit or certificate of occupancy. It would limit parks and recreation system development charge based upon increase in level of service beyond current levels; prohibit Z:\CMO\2009 Council Agendas\M090427\S0904273.doc increase in system development charges based upon presence of fire suppression sprinklers in structure; and allow resolution of disputes through binding arbitration. Staff Recommendation: Priority 2 Oppose IGR Committee Vote: Priority 3 Support (1/2, Councilor Poling / Councilors Taylor, Ortiz voting no) Councilor Poling believed this would assist contractors and give them time to complete projects in these tough economic times. April 22, 2009: SB 519 : This bill would prohibit employers from taking adverse employment action against employee who declines to attend meeting or participate in communication concerning employers opinion about religious or political matters; require employers to post notice; and provide exceptions for religious organizations, political organizations and certain meetings and communications. Staff Recommendation: Neutral IGR Committee Vote: Monitor (2/1, Councilors Poling, Taylor / Councilor Ortiz voting no) Councilors Poling and Taylor moved to a monitor position after considering the recommendation of Human Resources who, relying on information received from Harrang Long, believed that taking a position on this bill might be contrary to the First Amendment’s Establishment Clause that prohibits government from taking a position for or against issues regarding religion. RELATED CITY POLICIES Ratification of IGR Committee actions is the making or affirming of the City of Eugene’s policy with respect to federal and state legislative issues or such other matters as may come to the council from the committee. COUNCIL OPTIONS The council may ratify or decline to ratify the IGR Committee’s unanimous actions and approval of staff recommendations. Actions on which the IGR committee is not unanimous must be addressed by the full council in order to provide direction to staff in Salem. CITY MANAGER’S RECOMMENDATION The City Manager recommends ratification of the IGR Committee's actions and that there be a discussion on the actions that were not unanimous. SUGGESTED MOTION Move to ratify the IGR Committee's unanimous actions on bills and approval of staff recommendations in the April 15 and April 22, 2009, IGR Bill Reports for bills not pulled for discussion at those IGR meetings. Z:\CMO\2009 Council Agendas\M090427\S0904273.doc There also needs to be motions to state positions for each bill listed above where the IGR Committee action was not unanimous. ATTACHMENTS A. Bill and Staff Comments on Non-Unanimous Actions B. April 15, 2009 IGR Bill Report C. April 22, 2009 IGR Bill Report FOR MORE INFORMATION Staff Contact: Brenda Wilson Telephone: 682-8441 Staff E-Mail: brenda.s.wilson@ci.eugene.or.us Z:\CMO\2009 Council Agendas\M090427\S0904273.doc ATTACHMENT B IGR Bill REPORT APRIL 15, 2009 CITY OF EUGENE HB 2040B Relating to roadside assistance Relating Clause: Expands offense of failure to maintain safe distance from emergency vehicle or Title: ambulance to include roadside assistance vehicles and tow vehicles. Specifies amount by which motorists { - on certain highways - } must reduce speed for purposes of offense. By Representative BEYER, at the request of House Interim Committee on Transportation Sponsored by: for AAA Oregon/Idaho, Northwest Auto Trades Association, Oregon Tow Truck Association http://www.leg.state.or.us/09reg/measpdf/hb2000.dir/hb2040.b.pdf URL: ContactRespondentDept Updated Priority Policy Poli Numb Recommendation Glen Potter Glen Potter EFD 4/7/2009 Pri 3 Yes YesV. C7 Support Comments: Bill adds reducing speed to the requirements of a motorist passing emergency or service vehicles stopped alongside the road, thus offering a tool to help enhance the safety of emergency responders. ContactRespondentDept Updated Priority Policy Poli Numb Recommendation E. Cushman D. Schulz EPD-ADM 4/7/2009 Pri 3 Yes YesV. C7 Support Comments: We recommended a "monitor" position on earlier versions of this bill, but believe that the B-Engrossed version should be supported. The primary purpose of the bill was to add roadside assistance and tow vehicles to the "move-over" law in order to protect the individuals performing those roadside services. While arguably a good idea, this did not have a direct impact on the City. However, the current version of the bill has included a specific requirement that, in situations where vehicles cannot move into another lane, they must slow to a speed at least 5 mph below the speed limit for the road. We believe that this is a good improvement to the current law, because it provides some specific guidance to motorists as to what they should do. (The current statute simply requires that the driver "reduce the speed of the motor vehicle" without setting any parameters. Thus, if someone were travelling at 10 mph over the speed limit, s/he could comply with the existing "move-over" law by reducing speed by 1 mph.) We believe that the current version of the bill is an improvement in that it provides motorists with clearer direction, and will provide greater protection for the police officers, firefighters, and medics currently covered by the law, as well as those roadside assistance personnel who will be added. HB 2212A Relating to State Department of Agriculture control methods; appropriating money. Relating Clause: Broadens statutes currently applicable to tansy ragwort to include all noxious weeds. Title: Repeals statutes regarding ragweed. Revises quarantine authority of State Department of Agriculture. Authorizes department to adopt rules for nonquarantine regulation of plant pests. Makes violation of rule subject to civil penalty, not to exceed $10,000. Authorizes department to conduct research for control of plant pests. Prohibits { - possession or movement of - } { + person from possessing or knowingly moving + } plant pests except in 1 compliance with federal or state permit. Makes violation subject to fine not to exceed $720 and civil penalty not to exceed $10,000. Declares plant pests to be public nuisance. Authorizes department to issue orders or adopt rules to abate public nuisance caused by plant pests. Makes violation of order or rule for abating nuisance subject to civil penalty not to exceed $10,000. Ordered printed by the Speaker pursuant to House Rule 12.00A (5). Presession filed. (at Sponsored by: the request of Governor Theodore R. Kulongoski for State Department of Agriculture) http://www.leg.state.or.us/09reg/measpdf/hb2200.dir/hb2212.a.pdf URL: ContactRespondentDept Updated Priority Policy Poli Numb Recommendation Eric Wold Eric Wold PW-POS 4/6/2009 Pri 3 Support Comments: The amended version of HB 2212 makes relatively minor changes to the original bill. These changes to not change the substance of the bill, but rather, clarify the text throughout the bill. This bill substantially enhances existing statutes pertaining to the Department of Agriculture's authority to regulate the movement (e.g., through the transportation system) of plant pests. Plants pests include all organisms capable of having a significant adverse affect on the environmental quality of the state or of causing a signficant level of economic damage in this state, including but not limited to agricultural, horticultural, or forest plants, crops, commodities or products. Given the importance of our forests and local agricultural industry, this is an important bill to sustain the health of our forests and farms. HB 2641A Relating to online sexual corruption of a child. Relating Clause: Modifies definition of online communication for purposes of online sexual corruption of Title: child. Representatives OLSON, SPRENGER; Representatives BARKER, BARNHART, Sponsored by: BARTON, BENTZ, BERGER, BOONE, BRUUN, COWAN, D EDWARDS, ESQUIVEL, FREEMAN, GARRARD, GILMAN, HANNA, HUFFMAN, JENSON, KENNEMER, KOMP, MAURER, RICHARDSON, SCHAUFLER, G SMITH, STIEGLER, THATCHE http://www.leg.state.or.us/09reg/measpdf/hb2600.dir/hb2641.a.pdf URL: ContactRespondentDept Updated Priority Policy Poli Numb Recommendation E. Cushman E. Cushman EPD-ADM 4/7/2009 Pri 2 No No Support Comments: No change of position or recommendation. The IGR Committee approved a "2/support" position on this bill at its 1 April meeting. The A-Engrossed version simply replaces the phrase "method of communicating over the internet" with a list of specific technologies used to transmit information. HB 2750 Relating to sanitary sewer service. Relating Clause: Authorizes extension of sanitary sewer system to specified lots or parcels outside urban Title: growth boundaries and outside unincorporated communities without taking exception to statewide land use planning goal relating to level of urban and rural public facilities and services. Representatives ESQUIVEL, BUCKLEY (at the request of Jackson County) Sponsored by: http://www.leg.state.or.us/09reg/measpdf/hb2700.dir/hb2750.intro.pdf URL: ContactRespondentDept Updated Priority Policy Poli Numb Recommendation Steve Nystrom Steve Nystrom PDD-ADM 2/27/2009 Pri 2 Yes YesIV. D5 Neutral Comments: Bill would allow for extension of sewer service to existing dwellings outside of UGB's under very limited circumstances. Bill would NOT enable further development outside of 2 UGB's. However, City of Eugene code would prohibit such requests even if this bill passed. Given the limited scope of this bill and city's home rule ability to determine the appropriate policy direction, staff recommends a neutral position. Wastewater Division may have additional comments around feasibility and capacity concerns. ContactRespondentDept Updated Priority Policy Poli Numb Recommendation Peter Ruffier PWW 4/7/2009 Neutral Comments: Wastewater services are provided to the City of Eugene under an intergovernmental agreement with the County and the City of Springfield. This IGA restricts service to the growth boundaries of the two cities, and therefore would prohibit (absent a change in the IGA) extension of sewer service under the provisions of the proposed bill. In any case, it would not likely be cost-effective to extend sewer service to serve isolated, single unit parcels of property. HB 2918 Relating to disposal of prescription drugs; appropriating money; declaring an emergency. Relating Clause: Creates Drug Take Back Program in State Board of Pharmacy. Title: Establishes Drug Take Back Program Fund and continuously appropriates moneys in fund to board to implement program. Permits hospitals and long term care facilities to establish public education and outreach programs with grants from fund. Sunsets January 2, 2014. Declares emergency, effective on passage. Representative GREENLICK; Representatives GELSER, KOTEK, SHIELDS Sponsored by: http://www.leg.state.or.us/09reg/measpdf/hb2900.dir/hb2918.intro.pdf URL: ContactRespondentDept Updated Priority Policy Poli Numb Recommendation Peter Ruffier PWW 4/7/2009 Neutral Comments: SB598 is a stronger bill (including mandates) in support of establishing a drug-take back program, HB 2918 would set up a volnutary program. HB 3054 Relating to regional land use planning commissions; declaring an emergency. Relating Clause: Establishes five regional land use planning commissions. Prescribes duties and powers Title: of regional commissions. Provides that chairs of regional commissions constitute Land Conservation and Development Commission. Modifies duties and powers of state commission. Becomes operative on January 2, 2010. Declares emergency, effective on passage. Representatives GARRARD, SCHAUFLER Sponsored by: http://www.leg.state.or.us/09reg/measpdf/hb3000.dir/hb3054.intro.pdf URL: ContactRespondentDept Updated Priority Policy Poli Numb Recommendation Steve Nystrom Steve Nystrom PDD-ADM 4/2/2009 Pri 1 Yes YesIV. D5 Monitor Comments: HB 3054 would revise the state's land use oversight role from a single statewide body, the Land Conservation and Development Commission (LCDC), to 5 separate regional planning commissions. LCDC would remain and still have a certain level of authority over these new commissions, however, to what degree is somewhat unclear. This relationship and many other issues are not clearly addressed in this bill. For example, the bill gives each commission the authority to adopt their own rules for implementation of the statewide planning goals. This could affect the ability to achieve these statewide objectives in a consistent manner if each region varies its implementation 3 requirements. In addition, the bill is unclear on how projects in process (such as HB 3337 implementation) will be addressed. It’s also unclear what type of staff support the regional commissions would have, including their respective roles with local governments. This bill would establish a new layer of state government that does not currently exist. It’s unclear whether there will be adequate funding to support this new system, and whether this could result in a financial burden to local governments. Given the depth and range of issues covered in this bill, there are numerous details that would need further attention to ensure this bill could be adequately implemented. In principle, these regional commissions might be better able to respond to local needs and issues (as opposed to LCDC), but until the unanswered questions are fully addressed, it’s difficult to assess the benefits and impacts to Eugene. Therefore, staff recommends monitoring this bill. ContactRespondentDept Updated Priority Policy Poli Numb Recommendation Lauren Sommers ATTNY 3/31/2009 Monitor Comments: Defer to Steve Nystrom's comments. This is a very long bill that affects many statutes and may create unintended consequences. For example, the City's comprehensive plan has been acknowledged by the Land Conservation and Development Commission. Acknowledgement is a long and complicated process. This bill provides that comprehensive plans must be acknowledged by the regional commission but it is not clear whether the City's comprehensive plan will be automatically acknowledged by the regional commission or whether the City will need to ask the regional commission to acknowledge the plan, nor is it clear how the City is required to operate until the regional commission acknowledges the plan. HB 3097 Relating to emergency medical personnel Relating Clause: Allows applicant for certification as emergency medical technician or first responder to Title: substitute certification by National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians for completion of training course approved by Department of Human Services. Representatives MATTHEWS, WEIDNER; Representatives BARKER, BOONE, Sponsored by: FREEMAN, HARKER, KRIEGER, OLSON, SCHAUFLER, SHIELDS, G SMITH, VANORMAN http://www.leg.state.or.us/09reg/measpdf/hb3000.dir/hb3097.intro.pdf URL: ContactRespondentDept Updated Priority Policy Poli Numb Recommendation Glen Potter Denise Giard EFD 4/1/2009 Pri 3 No No Support Comments: This bill would streamline Oregon EMT certification for returning military medics who already meet many Oregon requirements, and would more generally serve to broaden and perhaps diversify applicant pools for all Oregon medical response agencies. However, the bill should be amended to make clear that application for certification by the state of Oregon is still required, and requirements delineating the three EMT certification levels (Basic, Intermediate, Paramedic) should not be obscured or waived. This position is consistent with that taken by the Oregon State Ambulance Association and numerous emergency medical service providers in the state. HB 3134 Relating to siting of electric transmission systems; declaring an emergency. Relating Clause: Requires State Department of Energy to determine locations for certain energy Title: transmission and distribution facilities. Specifies requirements for energy transmission and distribution facility siting process. 4 Establishes Energy Transmission and Distribution Facilities Siting Authority. Specifies duties of authority. Specifies process for review of decisions related to energy transmission and distribution facilities. Declares emergency, effective on passage. COMMITTEE ON BUSINESS AND LABOR Sponsored by: http://www.leg.state.or.us/09reg/measpdf/hb3100.dir/hb3134.intro.pdf URL: ContactRespondentDept Updated Priority Policy Poli Numb Recommendation Ethan Nelson PDD-BPS 4/7/2009 Pri 3 No No Oppose Comments: I agree with Steve Nystrom on why the City of Eugene should oppose. Section 6 outlines the public input process, but in subsection 3 proposed conditions through the process can be not adopted if the Siting Authority provides a reason to not adopt. This could include financial, human health, environmental, or expediency. The next layer of recourse for the public or local government is to file a petition with the Oregon Supreme Court. In the effort to fast track the siting process, it seems that additional safeguards are implemented before the bill can be supported. ContactRespondentDept Updated Priority Policy Poli Numb Recommendation Steve Nystrom Steve Nystrom PDD-ADM 4/3/2009 Pri 3 Yes YesIV. D6 Oppose Comments: Defer to Ethan regarding overall recommendation, but from a planning perspective, this bill would enable the state to supersede local land use processes and regulations to site energy transmission and distribution facilities. While the bill enables input from local jurisdictions and appears to give some preference to sites where local governments have provided support, ultimately the state would have jurisdiction to decide where such facilities are located. HB 3182 Relating to notice of local government decision-making. Relating Clause: Requires notification to residents of property, in addition to property owners, of proposed Title: land use decisions, limited land use decisions and other governmental decisions affecting real property. Representative THATCHER Sponsored by: http://www.leg.state.or.us/09reg/measpdf/hb3100.dir/hb3182.intro.pdf URL: ContactRespondentDept Updated Priority Policy Poli Numb Recommendation Steve Nystrom Steve Nystrom PDD-ADM 4/2/2009 Yes YesIV. D2 Monitor Comments: HB 3182 requires that residents of property (in addition to property owners) be notified of proposed land use decisions. Specifically, this bill would require notice to residents of multiple family and manufactured dwellings. Eugene has required notification of owners and residents for many years. In fact, Eugene's requirements would still be broader than that envisioned in this bill. Specifically, notice is required to be sent to residents of all housing types, as well as tenants of non-residential properties. In addition, Eugene requires a much wider radius of notice than current state law. Therefore, this bill has no impact on Eugene's current policies and procedures. Although this bill does impact local home rule authority, staff would recommend a neutral position on this bill. ContactRespondentDept Updated Priority Policy Poli Numb Recommendation Lauren Sommers ATTNY 3/31/2009 No No Monitor Comments: When a piece of property is the subject of a limited land use decision or quasi-judicial land use hearing, the City is currently required to notify the owners of all properties located within a certain distance of that property. This bill would also require the City to notify residents of properties located within a certain distance of a property that is the 5 subject of a quasi-judicial land use hearing if the properties contain multi-family housing, include sites for manufactured dwellings, or the owner of the property does not live on the property. Section 1 of the bill also requires the City to notify residents "similarly situated" to the residents described above when the City makes a limited land use decision. It is not clear from the language of the bill what "similarly situated" means. Recommend monitor. HB 3223 Relating to residential price controls. Relating Clause: Repeals prohibition against city, county or metropolitan service district imposing Title: requirement that effectively establishes sales price for housing unit, residential lot or residential parcel or limits availability of housing unit, residential lot or residential parcel to class or group of purchasers. COMMITTEE ON LAND USE Sponsored by: http://www.leg.state.or.us/09reg/measpdf/hb3200.dir/hb3223.intro.pdf URL: ContactRespondentDept Updated Priority Policy Poli Numb Recommendation Steve Nystrom Steve Nystrom PDD-ADM 4/3/2009 Pri 2 Yes YesIV. C Support Comments: HB 3223 would repeal the current statute that prohibits local governments from enacting inclusionary housing requirements. This bill would enable local governments to make policy decisions whether to impose requirements related to affordable housing. This tool has been available to local governments in many other states for decades. Support of this bill does not necessarily indicate an endorsement of inclusionary housing provisions. Rather it provides governments the ability to make those decisions individually. For these reasons, staff recommends the city support this bill. ContactRespondentDept Updated Priority Policy Poli Numb Recommendation Richie Weinman PDD-DEV 4/3/2009 Pri 2 Support Comments: We should support this bill. It is really about local control. It would allow "inclusionary zoning". While the merits of inclusionary zoning can be debated, the result should be a local decision -- not one that is preempted by the the state. Steve Nystrom should be lead on this. HB 3248 Relating to railroad grade crossings. Relating Clause: Requires Department of Transportation to prioritize actions taken when altering, Title: relocating or eliminating railroad grade crossing. Requires department to provide written findings and cost and benefit analysis if department chooses to take certain actions over other actions. Representatives BAILEY, SCHAUFLER (at the request of City of Portland) Sponsored by: http://www.leg.state.or.us/09reg/measpdf/hb3200.dir/hb3248.intro.pdf URL: ContactRespondentDept Updated Priority Policy Poli Numb Recommendation Tom Larsen Tom Larsen PWM 4/7/2009 Pri 3 No No Support Comments: This bill set a priority among the four options available to the Oregon Department of Transportation when ruling on making changes to Railroad/highway crossings. To date the City has not had difficulty with ODOT decisions on RR crossings that would be considered contrary to the City's interest. Other Oregon citys have and their experiences have resulted in this bill. The priorities are logical and would appear to protect the city's interest in maintaining connectivity and overall safety of the travelling public. The bill also adds a requirement for ODOT to furnish cost/benefit analysis when making a ruling. At 6 the Federal level there is interest in closing at grade crossings. This change in Oergon law will help protect the city's future interest in that process. SB 0657 Relating to exception to land use goals. Relating Clause: Authorizes local government to adopt exception to statewide land use goal without Title: demonstrating that statutory standards for exception have been met for use that is necessary for employer of 10 or more employees under specified circumstance. Requires employer in Willamette Valley seeking exception to provide green-collar jobs at family wage. Requires employer outside Willamette Valley seeking exception to provide family wage. Defines terms. Senator GEORGE, Representative WEIDNER; Representatives GILLIAM, HUFFMAN, Sponsored by: SCHAUFLER, G SMITH, THATCHER, WHISNANT http://www.leg.state.or.us/09reg/measpdf/sb0600.dir/sb0657.intro.pdf URL: ContactRespondentDept Updated Priority Policy Poli Numb Recommendation Steve Nystrom PDD-ADM 4/2/2009 Pri 3 Monitor Comments: As written, this bill attempts to encourage the creation of green-collar jobs by providing a streamlined process when such uses require a goal exception. Goal exceptions are typically an issue affecting counties, such as urbanization within rural areas, outside of UGB's. Therefore, this bill would likely have minimal effect within the City of Eugene. In reality, if a use involving green-collar jobs were proposed inside Eugene's UGB, the city's tools for considering such proposals would rarely involve the need to consider a goal exception. The most likely situation would be a use that was within the Willamette Greenway that didn't otherwise comply with this statewide goal. At this point, staff recommends monitoring the bill to see if it is broaden in scope. SB 0902 Relating to the application of pesticides near schools. Relating Clause: Requires person exercising control over property located within one-quarter mile of Title: school registered on State Department of Agriculture website to provide school with written notice prior to aerial spraying of pesticide. Modifies notice requirement if spraying is due to pest emergency. Applies to aerial applications of pesticide made on or after July 1, 2010. Makes violation of statute or department rules subject to civil penalty, not to exceed $1,000 for first violation, $2,000 for subsequent violation or $10,000 for willful misconduct or subject to criminal penalty of not more than one year's imprisonment and fine not to exceed $1,000 for first violation or $2,000 for subsequent violation. Requires department to create website for registration of schools wishing to receive pesticide spraying notice. COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION AND GENERAL GOVERNMENT Sponsored by: http://www.leg.state.or.us/09reg/measpdf/sb0900.dir/sb0902.intro.pdf URL: ContactRespondentDept Updated Priority Policy Poli Numb Recommendation Kevin Finney Kevin Finney PW-POS 4/3/2009 Pri 3 Neutral Comments: POS does no aerial spraying and I'm not aware that any other City programs do. No impact on our operations. 7 ATTACHMENT C IGR BILL REPORT APRIL 22, 2009 REPORT DATE RANGE JAN 1, 2009 TO APRIL 14, 2009 CITY OF EUGENE HB 2717 Relating to whistleblowing by public employees. Relating Clause: Allows court to award punitive damages in public employee whistleblower case. Requires Title: court to award attorney fees to prevailing plaintiff in public employee whistleblower case. Requires Oregon Government Ethics Commission to appoint ombudsman for public employees. Requires ombudsman to act as advocate for public employees by accepting, investigating and attempting to resolve complaints concerning alleged violations of whistleblower laws. Representative THOMPSON Sponsored by: http://www.leg.state.or.us/09reg/measpdf/hb2700.dir/hb2717.intro.pdf URL: ContactRespondentDept Updated Priority Policy Poli Numb Recommendation Jamie Iboa Cathy Joseph CS-HRRS 4/6/2009 Pri 3 Oppose Comments: The current civil litigation system and the complaint process through the Bureau of Labor & Industries already provides adequate redress for employment-related allegations of wrongdoing. HB 2763 Relating to procurements of agricultural goods; declaring an emergency. Relating Clause: Permits contracting agency that procures goods for public use to give preference to Title: agricultural products produced and transported entirely within state if certain conditions are met. Requires Director of Agriculture by rule to set standards for determining whether agricultural products qualify for preference. Declares emergency, effective on passage. Representatives CLEM, CANNON; Representatives BEYER, GILLIAM, KRIEGER, Sponsored by: READ, ROBLAN, SCHAUFLER http://www.leg.state.or.us/09reg/measpdf/hb2700.dir/hb2763.intro.pdf URL: ContactRespondentDept Updated Priority Policy Poli Numb Recommendation Eric Wold Eric Wold PW-POS 3/9/2009 Pri 3 Yes YesVIII. B Support Comments: HB 2763 permits contracting agencies to give preference to agricultural products that are produced and transported entirely within the state of Oregon. I think this is consistent with the City's sustainability goals by encouraging "local" producers and by reducing the negative impacts associated with long-distance transport of goods. ContactRespondentDept Updated Priority Policy Poli Numb Recommendation Paul Klope PWE 3/3/2009 Pri 3 Yes YesVIII. B Support Comments: Allows public agency that is considering bids to buy agricultural products, such as plants and seed, to give preference to bids for products that are produced and transported entirely in Oregon as long as they cost no more than 5% more than other bids for equal products produced out of state. Allows the public agency to set a higher preference percentage if desired. Although it would cost the City slightly more to offer this preference, it would allow us to keep more money in the state also. ContactRespondentDept Updated Priority Policy Poli Numb Recommendation Felicity Fahy CS-CMO 3/23/2009 Pri 3 Yes YesVIII. B Support Comments: Agree with Eric and Paul's comments. 1 HB 2866 Relating to expedited process for public sector collective bargaining. Relating Clause: Eliminates expedited process for collective bargaining between public employer and Title: certain employees. COMMITTEE ON BUSINESS AND LABOR Sponsored by: http://www.leg.state.or.us/09reg/measpdf/hb2800.dir/hb2866.intro.pdf URL: ContactRespondentDept Updated Priority Policy Poli Numb Recommendation Susan Mullett Susan Mullett CS-HRRS 3/6/2009 Pri 3 Oppose Comments: Same response as HB 2709 -- Could lenghten bargaining process. Comments on HB 2709: This could extend the bargaining times which would result in increased costs and loss of goodwill with our unions. Recommendation and priority on both bills was Oppose- Pri 3 HB 2940 Relating to renewable portfolio standards. Relating Clause: Allows biomass electricity generating facility to comply with renewable portfolio standard Title: under certain conditions. Representative C EDWARDS (at the request of Oregon Forest Industries Council) Sponsored by: http://www.leg.state.or.us/09reg/measpdf/hb2900.dir/hb2940.intro.pdf URL: ContactRespondentDept Updated Priority Policy Poli Numb Recommendation Felicity Fahy Felicity Fahy CS-CMO 3/23/2009 Pri 3 Neutral Comments: This Bill looks like a specific ear mark. There is already a lot of research being undertaken on the use of biomaterial for energy production. Identified grant sources should be used for purpose. HB 2997 Relating to the conversion of manufactured dwelling parks to subdivisions. Relating Clause: Allows manufactured dwelling park landlord to defer or forgo payment to tenant upon Title: park closure if closure is due to conversion of park to manufactured dwelling subdivision and tenant continues occupancy as subdivision lot tenant following conversion. Specifies conditions applicable to tenancy if manufactured dwelling park tenant continues to occupy lot following conversion of park to manufactured dwelling subdivision. Representative CLEM Sponsored by: http://www.leg.state.or.us/09reg/measpdf/hb2900.dir/hb2997.intro.pdf URL: ContactRespondentDept Updated Priority Policy Poli Numb Recommendation Richie Weinman PDD-DEV 3/9/2009 Monitor Comments: This bill is very unlikely to move. HB 2999 Relating to the pesticide use reporting system; declaring an emergency. Relating Clause: Reduces size of identifying hydrologic unit to be used when reporting pesticide use. Title: Delays sunset date for pesticide use reporting system. Declares emergency, effective on passage. 2 Representatives CLEM, C EDWARDS; Representatives BAILEY, BARNHART, BOONE, Sponsored by: BUCKLEY, CANNON, D EDWARDS, GREENLICK, HARKER, KOMP, KRIEGER, NOLAN, READ, RILEY, J SMITH, TOMEI http://www.leg.state.or.us/09reg/measpdf/hb2900.dir/hb2999.intro.pdf URL: ContactRespondentDept Updated Priority Policy Poli Numb Recommendation Kevin Finney Kevin Finney PW-POS 4/13/2009 Pri 3 Yes YesVII. B4 Support Comments: The proposed changes to the pesticide regulations will, among other things, require applicators to provide more detailed information about where they make applications. These changes will provide more useful information about pesticide exposure and will better protect public health. HB 3005 Relating to business plans for energy production projects; appropriating money; declaring Relating Clause: an emergency. Appropriates moneys to State Department of Agriculture for 2009-2011 biennium to Title: develop business plan for project to produce energy from agricultural sources and from food or other wastes. Declares emergency, effective July 1, 2009. Representative CLEM Sponsored by: http://www.leg.state.or.us/09reg/measpdf/hb3000.dir/hb3005.intro.pdf URL: ContactRespondentDept Updated Priority Policy Poli Numb Recommendation Ethan Nelson PDD-BPS 3/12/2009 Pri 3 No No Oppose Comments: HB 3005 seems to be a special interest earmark for Department of Ag to contract $100,000 on a bioenergy project. While the City of Eugene should support these types of projects, the funding should come through existing grant programs and private sector investments, not general fund appropriations. HB 3006 Relating to hunting on public lands. Relating Clause: Specifies that public lands used for wildlife management purposes must be accessible for Title: hunting. Requires State Fish and Wildlife Commission to avoid making management determinations that result in net loss of access to hunting on public lands used for wildlife management purposes. Directs State Fish and Wildlife Director to report to Legislative Assembly on acreage of public lands accessible for hunting. Representative CLEM; Representatives BOONE, C EDWARDS, D EDWARDS, HANNA, Sponsored by: KAHL, KRIEGER, ROBLAN, SCHAUFLER, STIEGLER http://www.leg.state.or.us/09reg/measpdf/hb3000.dir/hb3006.intro.pdf URL: ContactRespondentDept Updated Priority Policy Poli Numb Recommendation Eric Wold Eric Wold PW-POS 3/9/2009 Pri 2 Yes YesVII. B5 Oppose Comments: HB 3006 specifies that public lands used for wildlife management purposes must be accessible for hunting. It also states that the State Fish and Wildlife Commission shall, to the maximum extent practicable, avoid making management determinations that result in a net loss of access to hunting on public lands used for wildlife management. In my opinion, this bill is far too single-focused on the interests of hunters and hunting. Land Management decisions on public lands should be based on a more comprehensive analysis of issues, including community interests, habitat needs for the wildlife of interest, habitat needs for threatened or endangered species, historic use of the land, regional conservation interests, and much more. 3 In terms of direct impact to the City, this bill could open up hunting on City of Eugene lands, such as the West Eugene Wetlands. This would run counter to the long-standing management goals of the West Eugene Wetlands. Please note that this bill is very similar to HB 3164 during the 2007 legislative session. HB 3025 Relating to climate change. Relating Clause: Requires Department of Environmental Quality to study climate change issues facing Title: Oregon. Sunsets January 2, 2012. Representatives CANNON, READ, Senator DINGFELDER Sponsored by: http://www.leg.state.or.us/09reg/measpdf/hb3000.dir/hb3025.intro.pdf URL: ContactRespondentDept Updated Priority Policy Poli Numb Recommendation Ethan Nelson PDD-BPS 3/18/2009 Pri 3 Yes YesVII. A1 Oppose Comments: HB 3025 is an unfunded mandate. While the DEQ should undertake a study of climate changes facing Oregon, the legislature should appropriate funding for the agency to properly conduct the study, while maintaining their currently mandated service programs. The City of Eugene should oppose this bill. Support only if appropriate funding is provided. HB 3064 Relating to greenhouse gas. Relating Clause: Makes legislative findings regarding global warming and electricity. Requires State Title: Department of Energy to establish greenhouse gas emissions performance standard for generating facilities that produce baseload electricity. Prohibits electricity provider from entering into long-term financial commitment unless generating facility complies with greenhouse gas emissions performance standard. Prohibits Public Utility Commission from approving long-term financial commitment by electric company unless generating facility complies with greenhouse gas emissions performance standard. Requires State Department of Energy to ensure consumer-owned utility complies with greenhouse gas emissions performance standard. Modifies definition of 'energy facility' for purposes of regulation of energy facilities. Modifies circumstances in which site certificate not required. COMMITTEE ON ENVIRONMENT AND WATER Sponsored by: http://www.leg.state.or.us/09reg/measpdf/hb3000.dir/hb3064.intro.pdf URL: ContactRespondentDept Updated Priority Policy Poli Numb Recommendation Ethan Nelson PDD-BPS 3/18/2009 Pri 3 Yes YesVII. A1 Support Comments: HB 3064 is the House counterpart to SB 101, which directs the Oregon Department of Energy to establish rules on the production of greenhouse gas emissions from utilities producing baseload electricity. These rules will be for all electric utilities including municipal owned and cooperatives. The emission standard is based on combined cycle natural gas generation, which will benefit all production sources that are cleaner and penalize those that have higher GHG emissions (e.g. coal fired plants). The rules level the market by requiring the PUC to approve all long term financial commitments that comply with the standard. Those that don’t meet the standard will not be approved. This should increase the development of renewable and clean energy generation for Oregon markets. 4 Eugene’s power profile includes a nominal amount of high GHG emitting generation sources; therefore there may be a slight rate increase over time for any purchases of coal fired power. The City of Eugene should support HB 3064 and SB 101. HB 3399 Relating to vehicular homicide. Relating Clause: Creates crime of vehicular homicide. Punishes by maximum of five years' imprisonment, Title: $125,000 fine, or both. Directs police officer responding to accident in which person is seriously injured or killed to administer tests to operators of vehicles involved to determine if operators were under influence of intoxicants. Makes results of tests admissible at trial for vehicular homicide. Makes refusal of test admissible at any court proceeding or trial. Representative READ; Representatives BARKER, RILEY, Senators BONAMICI, HASS Sponsored by: (at the request of Mary ODonnell) http://www.leg.state.or.us/09reg/measpdf/hb3300.dir/hb3399.intro.pdf URL: ContactRespondentDept Updated Priority Policy Poli Numb Recommendation E. Cushman M. Gilbert EPD-ADM 4/13/2009 Pri 3 Yes YesV. C7 Neutral Comments: ***Neutral as written; support if appropriately amended*** We appreciate that this bill is attempting to improve the ability to hold those accountable to violate traffic laws and kill or seriously injure others. However, we have concerns about Section 3 of the bill as written. First, this section mandates a police officer "administer tests" to every driver of a vehicle involved in a traffic crash which kills or seriously injured someone to determine whether that driver was driving under the influence of intoxicants. First, we have traditionally opposed laws that require, rather than permit, officers to take specific actions. Second, the wording does not specify what "tests" must be done. Unless this provision were made more specific, or supplemented by administrative rule, it is not clear to police officers what is expected, let alone members of the public. Third, we believe that this section will most likely be subject to challenges based on whether or not it is constitutional. We strongly support Section 2 of the bill, which creates a crime of vehicular homicide for a situation in which a driver is involved in a traffic crash that kills someone and that driver was driving while impaired, was driving without driving privileges, or was driving without insurance. In any of those situations, if the driver had not been driving in violation of the law, someone would still be alive. Therefore, we strongly support being able to hold such individuals accountable. We recommend that Section 3 be removed from the bill or be revised to address the concerns we have expressed. If this is done, we would support the bill. HB 2426A Relating to penalties for driving while under the influence of intoxicants. Relating Clause: Imposes minimum fine of $2,500 { - and mandatory imprisonment - } for person Title: convicted of driving while under influence of intoxicants if person had { - 0.20 - }{ + 0.15 + } percent or more by weight of alcohol in blood of person at time of offense. COMMITTEE ON JUDICIARY Sponsored by: http://www.leg.state.or.us/09reg/measpdf/hb2400.dir/hb2426.a.pdf URL: ContactRespondentDept Updated Priority Policy Poli Numb Recommendation E. Cushman M. Gilbert EPD-ADM 4/14/2009 Pri 3 Yes YesV. C7 Support Comments: 5 We support the A-Engrossed version of HB 2426. On the original bill, we had deferred to Municipal Court's opposition, based on the imposition of a mandatory jail sentence. However, that provision has been removed, and Muni Court has deferred to us. We believe that this amended version, by imposing a higher fine for a driver who drives with a BAC of .15% or higher (nearly twice the presumptive limit), will provide a more appropriate penalty for those who elect to drive with such a high blood-alcohol level and endanger the public. HJM 20 Urging Congress to enact legislation concerning Medicare reimbursement rates. Relating Clause: Urges Congress to enact legislation concerning Medicare reimbursement rates. Title: Representatives BARTON, DEMBROW Sponsored by: http://www.leg.state.or.us/09reg/measpdf/hjm1.dir/hjm0020.intro.pdf URL: ContactRespondentDept Updated Priority Policy Poli Numb Recommendation Glen Potter Glen Potter EFD 4/10/2009 Pri 3 No No Support Comments: Amend to change "physicians" to "health care providers." As written, the memorial has little if any relevance to City of Eugene services. But with the amendment, it would address the single greatest cause of projected financial deficits in ambulance service. HR 3 Expressing approval and support of forest resource management plans developed under Relating Clause: Western Oregon Plan Revisions and urging Governor to facilitate speedy implementation of management plans. Expresses approval and support of forest resource management plans developed under Title: Western Oregon Plan Revisions. Urges Governor to take steps to support, ensure and facilitate speedy implementation of resource management plans. Representatives SPRENGER, SCHAUFLER; Representatives BENTZ, BERGER, Sponsored by: BOONE, BRUUN, CAMERON, CLEM, ESQUIVEL, FREEMAN, GARRARD, GILLIAM, GILMAN, HANNA, HUFFMAN, HUNT, JENSON, KENNEMER, KRIEGER, MATTHEWS, MAURER, OLSON, RICHARDSON, ROBLAN, G SMITH, STIEGLER, http://www.leg.state.or.us/09reg/measpdf/hr1.dir/hr0003.intro.pdf URL: ContactRespondentDept Updated Priority Policy Poli Numb Recommendation Eric Wold Eric Wold PW-POS 3/9/2009 Pri 3 VII. B3 Oppose Comments: HR 3 expresses approval and support of forest resource management plans developed under the BLM's Western Oregon Plan Revisions (WOPR). I think this is a resolution the City of Eugene would want to oppose. The City Council is already on record as having serious reservations about the WOPR. The Governor is on record as being opposed to the WOPR. In addition, the Obama administration is considering reviewing the process that the Bush administration used to approve the WOPR. Multiple federal agencies and many conservation groups are opposed to the WOPR. Among the many concerns expressed about the WOPR are: (a) that it does not protect stream health and water quality sufficiently; and (b) that it does not protect habitat suitable for northern spotted owls adequately. In particular, I think the City should be concerned about the reduced protection for stream health and water quality that WOPR provides relative to the NW Forest Plan. This lack of streamside protection in WOPR will have downstream affects, all the way to Eugene (in both the Willamette and McKenzie Rivers). SB 0519 6 Relating to mandatory workplace communications to employee about employer's Relating Clause: opinions. Prohibits employer from taking adverse employment action against employee who Title: declines to attend meeting or participate in communication concerning employer's opinion about religious or political matters. Requires employer to post notice. Provides exceptions for religious organizations, political organizations and certain meetings and communications. Creates cause of action. Senators ROSENBAUM, DEVLIN, Representatives SCHAUFLER, WITT; Senators Sponsored by: BATES, MONNES ANDERSON, MONROE, WALKER, Representatives BAILEY, BARKER, BUCKLEY, DEMBROW, GALIZIO, HOLVEY, NOLAN, ROBLAN, SHIELDS (at the request of Oregon AFL-CIO) http://www.leg.state.or.us/09reg/measpdf/sb0500.dir/sb0519.intro.pdf URL: ContactRespondentDept Updated Priority Policy Poli Numb Recommendation Susan Mullett CS-HRRS 2/24/2009 Drop Drop Comments: We don't see impact to City. We already have employment policies in place regarding religious and political issues. ContactRespondentDept Updated Priority Policy Poli Numb Recommendation Andy Fernandez CS-CMO 2/24/2009 Pri 3 Support Comments: Seems to protect the employee against freedom of religon and freedom of speech (or to not speak). Will have an effect on City practice and may put more of the burden of proof regarding some discipline on the City. SB 0570 Relating to commerce in metal property Relating Clause: Requires scrap metal business to create and maintain certain records of purchase or Title: receipt of metal property or other transactions related to metal property. Prohibits scrap metal business from purchasing, receiving or conducting transaction related to certain types of metal property. Requires payment for purchase or transaction by check mailed to seller's street address. Requires scrap metal business to produce records in response to lawful demand and to segregate, identify and hold metal property reasonably suspected to be lost or stolen. Requires within 10 days determination of whether metal property is lost or stolen. Requires consignment or secondhand store that purchases or receives metal property to comply with provisions of Act. Provides immunity to owner of land for injury or damage caused by theft or attempted theft of metal property. Specifies civil penalty of not more than $1,000 for first violation of certain provisions of Act and not more than $2,000 for subsequent violations. Creates crime of unlawfully altering metal property. Punishes by maximum of one year's imprisonment, $6,250 fine, or both. Creates crime of making false statement on metal property record. Punishes by maximum of one year's imprisonment, $6,250 fine, or both. Creates crime of unlawfully purchasing or receiving metal property. Punishes by maximum of one year's imprisonment, $6,250 fine, or both. Senators ATKINSON, BATES, BONAMICI, BOQUIST, BURDICK, CARTER, Sponsored by: COURTNEY, DEVLIN, DINGFELDER, FERRIOLI, GEORGE, GIROD, HASS, JOHNSON, KRUSE, METSGER, MONNES ANDERSON, MONROE, MORRISETTE, MORSE, NELSON, PROZANSKI, ROSENBAUM, SCHRADER, STARR, TELFER, VERGER, http://www.leg.state.or.us/09reg/measpdf/sb0500.dir/sb0570.intro.pdf URL: ContactRespondentDept Updated Priority Policy Poli Numb Recommendation E. Cushman J. Shadwick EPD-ADM 3/6/2009 Pri 1 Yes YesV. C12 Support Comments: 7 We support the bill as it is written, but believe that the bill could be improved in its impact on the metal theft problem if certain elements were added. The bill and additional elements will help combat theft of non-ferrous metals. Although the theft rate is currently low, it was at a peak last year when metal prices peaked. The price of non-ferrous metals has been cyclical. It is currently down, but it has always been like a roller coaster and we expect the value to rise again in the future. When the value rises theft will increase as it has done in the past. We recommend that the bill be amended to include the following provisions, which would help law enforcement to combat this problem: • MANDATORY REPORTING to law enforcement versus MANDATORY RECORDING: This is probably the most important piece for law enforcement. The current law and this bill talk about mandatory recording. Law enforcement would benefit more if mandatory reporting to law enforcement was included. It would help in that the buyers would supply law enforcement a list of sellers along with what they were selling. This would give law enforcement an opportunity to look over this list and possibly match cases to stolen property or identify people that we need to contact because the quantities or types of metal they are selling may appear similar to stolen property. This has been very a very effective investigative element of the pawn laws. With the current mandatory reporting, law enforcement officers do not get the opportunity to review incoming property unless they are actually at the business. We only find out about it after the fact if we identify a suspect. With mandatory reporting, the metal buyers would have to send us the names of the sellers which would give us a distinct advantage over the criminal element that might be involved in the thefts. • Requiring buyers to photograph, as well as write down a description of, the non- ferrous metal purchased: There is no element requiring the buyers to hold the purchased metal unless it is found by law enforcement to be stolen. Metal is moved so quickly by some of the buyers that it is possible for an item to be purchased one day and be gone the next. A photograph would at least help law enforcement identify stolen property. • Requiring a thumbprint: Criminal suspects have been known to use forged identification but they cannot forge their thumbprint. This would allow positive identification of those selling metal. • Requiring a metal transport record: Oregon law formerly required a person to have a metal transport record. We would recommend that a requirement be reinstituted that any person transporting a more than a designated quantity of non-ferrous metal have some documentation (such as a receipt) as to how the person lawfully obtained the metal. This law would allow law enforcement officers to contact persons with suspected stolen metal and interview them regarding the source of the metal they were transporting. ContactRespondentDept Updated Priority Policy Poli Numb Recommendation Eric Jones Eric Jones PW-ADM 3/12/2009 Pri 1 Yes YesV. C12 Support Comments: This is a piece of a comprehensive package of solutions that have been offered. Eventually, these various bills (including HB 2421, HB 2423 and SB 405) will boil down to one or two key pieces of legislation. For now, all bills that address this issue are receiving a priority one support recommendation. Recommend that Tom Larsen review all bill relating to metal theft. ContactRespondentDept Updated Priority Policy Poli Numb Recommendation Tom Larsen Tom Larsen PWM 4/8/2009 Pri 1 Yes YesV. C12 Support Comments: This bill is one of several that takes a multi-pronged approach to reducing metal theft. It is comprehensive and contains many good ideas from other bills. Key aspects of this bill include payment only by check mailed to a physical address and a waiting period before the check is sent. Additional record keeping and penalities are also important elements. I like the original 10 day waiting period more than proposed shorter periods, but support the concept over all. Other bills allowing small payments in cash on site are weaker than this legislation. 8 SB 0665 Relating to employment practices Relating Clause: Permits administration of polygraph examination to police officer applicants and reserve Title: officer applicants. Provides that decision by employer to disqualify applicant solely on basis of polygraph examination is unlawful employment practice. COMMITTEE ON JUDICIARY Sponsored by: http://www.leg.state.or.us/09reg/measpdf/sb0600.dir/sb0665.intro.pdf URL: ContactRespondentDept Updated Priority Policy Poli Numb Recommendation E. Cushman S. Swenson EPD-ADM 3/10/2009 Pri 2 Yes YesV. C9 Support Comments: We strongly support this bill, which would allow the use of the polygraph as part of the hiring process for police officers and reserve police officers. This is the subject of Legislative Policy V.C.9. Because of the significant authority vested in police officers, it is important to hire the best candidates, and extremely important that unsuitable applicants be eliminated during the hiring process. To accomplish this task, it is important to use every tool at our disposal. Oregon law currently prohibits the use of the polygraph during the police officer hiring process, although many other states use the polygraph as a standard part of the hiring process, and some (such as Washington) actually require it. To not be able to avail ourselves of this tool deprives us of a significant means to learn if an applicant is being untruthful about some of the information s/he has provided. The bill contains protections which limit the use of the polygraph solely to hiring police officers and reserve police officers. The bill does not otherwise change the current prohibition against using the polygraph for any other aspect of employment, such as promotion or internal investigations. It also prohibits disqualifying an applicant solely on the basis of a polygraph examination. SB 0698 Relating to thermal field sanitation Relating Clause: Changes 'field burning' and 'open field burning' to 'thermal field sanitation' for provisions Title: relating to air quality. Reduces amount of acreage allowed to be propane flamed. Senator FERRIOLI Sponsored by: http://www.leg.state.or.us/09reg/measpdf/sb0600.dir/sb0698.intro.pdf URL: ContactRespondentDept Updated Priority Policy Poli Numb Recommendation Eric Wold Eric Wold PW-POS 3/9/2009 Pri 1 Yes YesVII. A2 Monitor Comments: SB 698 is the third bill introduced this session that addresses the topic of "field burning". The other two, related bills were introduced by the Governor and Representative Holvey (and both of these bills have provisions to eliminate field burning within 0-2 years). The main intent of SB 698 is to change all references to "open field burning" and "field burning" to the term "thermal field sanitation". I do not fully understand the motivation for this change or the implications of this change. It seems like this change may have broader implications than is immediately apparent from the bill. I am looking for the City's IGR staff to follow-up with people in Salem on whether this change has other implications. There are no provisions in this bill to reduce the acreage of allowed, annual field burning. SB 0800 Relating to the pesticide use reporting system; declaring an emergency. Relating Clause: Eliminates sunset for pesticide use reporting system. Reduces size of identifying Title: hydrologic unit to be used when reporting pesticide use. Declares emergency, effective on passage. 9 Senator BATES Sponsored by: http://www.leg.state.or.us/09reg/measpdf/sb0800.dir/sb0800.intro.pdf URL: ContactRespondentDept Updated Priority Policy Poli Numb Recommendation Kevin Finney Kevin Finney PW-POS 4/13/2009 Pri 3 VII. B4 Support Comments: The proposed changes to the pesticide regulations will, among other things, require applicators to provide more detailed information about where they make applications. These changes will provide more useful information about pesticide exposure and will better protect public health. SJR 0025 Proposing amendment to Oregon Constitution relating to property taxes. Relating Clause: Proposes amendment to Oregon Constitution to require approval by at least three-fifths Title: of electors who cast ballot for measures that authorize new or increased property taxes. Refers proposed amendment to people for their approval or rejection at next regular general election. Senator STARR; Senators FERRIOLI, GEORGE, KRUSE, WINTERS Sponsored by: http://www.leg.state.or.us/09reg/measpdf/sjr1.dir/sjr0025.intro.pdf URL: ContactRespondentDept Updated Priority Policy Poli Numb Recommendation Larry Hill Larry Hill CS-FIN 3/9/2009 Pri 1 Yes YesII. A1 Oppose Comments: SJR 25 proposes a new amendment to the Oregon Constitution that would impose a supermajority requirement for passage of any property tax measure. If this amendment were to become law, a minority of voters could block the majority's favorable vote in favor of funding local government services. This undemocratic proposal is an attempt to shift marginal control on property tax votes to an anti-tax minority that otherwise would be unable to prevail against funding local government services. To illustrate the importance of the simple majority rule in governance, had a 3/5 supermajority rule had been imposed on May 2, 1843, at Champoeg, the minority would have then prevailed over the majority and Oregon would have failed to form its first system of American government. 10