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Follow Key Bills
The League's bill matrix, in its final form,
contains a compilation of all key bills that we followed this session.
The matrix includes legislative action taken, League action taken, and
links to our testimony.
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LWVOR Action
Committee
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Chair:
Norman Turrill
Vice Chair:
Marge Easley
Citizen Access Coordinator:
Paula Krane
Governance Coordinator: Kappy Eaton
Natural Resources Coordinator:
Liz Frenkel
Social Policy Coordinator:
Karen Nibler
Legislative Coordinator:
Brena Lopez
Portfolio members and committee representatives:
Bob Adams
Debbie Aiona
Jane Baumgarten
Diana Bodtker
Anna Braun
Barbara Browning
Sarah Chaplen
Anita Francis
Barbara Fredericks
Norma Jean Germond
Gail Holmes
Peggy Lynch
Ellen Maddex
Janet Markee
Erin Miller
Margaret Noel
Barbara Ross
Nancy Stevens
Pam Vavra
Intern:
Terra Ashford
Legislative Report Editor:
Rebecca Smith
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Discrimination on the basis of sexual preference, whether
heterosexual, homosexual, transgender or bi-sexual, is banned in
employment, public accommodation and housing in Oregon.
Domestic Partnerships were adopted, providing to same sex couples
some of the rights accorded to married couples, particularly in the areas
of health care, parenting, property, and inheritance.
These new laws are being challenged through referenda to repeal them and
will not be implemented until after either the petitions don't qualify
for the ballot (July 2008) or are voted on in November 2008.
Kappy Eaton, Governance Coordinator
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Homeless Youth and Housing
Homeless Youth Services requests fell on compassionate ears in
both policy and budget committees. New initiative funds of $1
million were allocated to Oregon Commision on Children and Families
(OCCF) for homeless services. The League study on Homeless Youth in Oregon helped
bring attention and get results from this session. The
apportionment of the funds will be decided by the OCCF and Local
Commissions on Children and Families representatives. Find out what
new resource your county commission will have for local programs!
Housing advocates made the case for rental assistance, home ownership
programs and homeless services before the session started. Even
though the revenue-raising document recording fee bill did not pass, the
Oregon Housing and Community Services (OHCS) Budget was expanded to
provide for the housing services requested by many groups. The regional
community action agencies will have more funds for rental assistance,
home ownership, and homeless shelters for adults, families and
juveniles. The League testified in favor of OHCS housing
programs to prevent families from disintegrating and needing homeless
programs.
Karen Nibler, Social Policy Coordinator
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Emergency contraception, as well as
counseling in an emergency room, must now be provided for women who have
been sexually assaulted.
Health insurance providers offering prescription coverage must now
offer an option for prescription contraception.
Nursing mothers must be provided space in the workplace to express
milk.
Additional funding has been allocated to the services provided for
victims of domestic violence and sexual assault.
Kappy Eaton, Women's Issues Portfolio Chair
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Oregon is now a fully vote-by-mail state with county election
offices the sole polling places and other official ballot boxes available
in all counties.
All 17-year-olds may now register to vote and will be formally
sent ballots after their 18th birthdays.
An emergency during the period when ballots are being returned
will trigger a seven-day extension of the time period for return.
Postsecondary education institutions must work with student organizations
in efforts to register eligible students for voting and assist in
distributing information about voting.
The Secretary of State's Voters' Pamphlet is fully funded for the
2008 election cycle.
OCVR, the Oregon Centralized Voter Registration System is now
operational, and during signature-gathering efforts, citizens may sign
petitions in any county, not just the one of their residence.
As is being considered for federal elections, Oregon will have a system
for hand counting of a percentage of ballots after any election
for validation of the machine tally systems.
Kappy Eaton, Governance Coordinator
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SB 790: Extends the earlier moratorium
on oil, gas and sulfur exploration, development or production in
Oregon's territorial sea. The Governor may lift the moratorium in
the event of an oil embargo affecting the U.S.
SB 643: Creates a Shipping
Transport of Aquatic Invasive Species Task Force and revises
definition of "cargo vessel" to make non-operating vessels,
such as ships to be wrecked, subject to all of the protective state laws
governing "cargo vessels."
Liz Frenkel, Natural Resources Coordinator
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The Oregon Government Ethics Commission name, as adopted in 1974,
has replaced the Government Standards and Practices Commission.
The Ethics Commission now has an increased budget and revenue sources
in addition to the General Fund, which will allow for additional
complaint investigations, more training for all state and local
government officials, and planning for an electronic reporting system by
2010.
Revisions will be made in the Economic Interest Statements (EIS),
which must be filed annually by most public officials.
Lobbyists, their employers and legislators must now file additional and
more regular reports to provide greater transparency regarding
influence.
Retired legislators must wait until after the end of the next legislative
session before becoming a paid lobbyist.
Lower gift limits ($50 from $100) for legislators are expected to
be challenged under Oregon's free speech clause in the constitution.
Kappy Eaton, Governance Coordinator
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The League studied the State Parks system in 1998 and supported Measure
66, allocating lottery funds to Parks. The budget provides for $23
million for land acquisition.
SB 926, which would have siphoned
off M66 money for several bicycle velodromes and was opposed by
the League, failed.
SB 5530: The State Parks and
Recreation budget in which Measure 66 Parks lottery funds were correctly
dedicated to reducing the backlog of maintenance and acquiring
land for the future.
SB 632: Makes the State
Capitol grounds a state park. The grounds themselves will not
be transferred to Parks but will be maintained by Parks.
SB 632 will require more than $800,000 of M66 lottery funds next biennium
for maintenance.
Liz Frenkel, Natural Resources Coordinator
Peggy Lynch, Committee Member
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In the last budget bill the Department of Justice received
additional funds for legal defense for the Tobacco Settlement, for
juvenile dependency representation, and for M37 cases. The Public
Defense Services Consortium received extra funds for an hourly pay
increase and juvenile dependency appeals, which were requested in budget
hearings. The District Attorneys did get some funds for deputy district
attorneys but the counties will continue to provide major support.
The Oregon Judicial Department Judges were the recipients of
salary increases above the earlier salary level, and legal aid funds were
also included in the last budget bill. The League's Oregon
Judiciary Study was submitted to legislators before these budget
decisions were made and supported the OJD enhancement requests.
Karen Nibler, Social Policy Coordinator
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SB 707: Expands Oregon's
historic Bottle Bill by adding "water and flavored
water" to the definition of "beverage". Establishes
a Task Force to develop a plan to implement the expansion.
This bill was a top priority of the Oregon Conservation Network,
of which the League is a member, and represents the first expansion of
the Bottle Bill since its original passage.
HB 2626: Establishes a
statewide Electronics Recycling System, financed by manufacturers,
that provides for the collection, transportation, and recycling of some
electronic devices. This was another priority bill of the Oregon
Conservation Network.
Liz Frenkel, Natural Resources Coordinator
Peggy Lynch, Committee Member
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Other Governance Issues
Redistricting:
The only measure that passed regarding redistricting provides that
legislators elected in 2010 will remain in office until the start of the
2013 legislative session although the assumption is that new districts
would have been drawn by the December 31, 2011 deadline and that
legislators would be elected from those new districts in November
2012. This may require some clarification in 2009.
Campaign Finance Reform:
No action was taken by the Legislature this session. A proposal for a
Campaign Finance Reform Commission was not passed.
Kappy Eaton, Governance Coordinator
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August 17, 2007
Welcome to the Sine Die Legislative
Report, our final issue. Thank you for reading the report this
session.
If you haven't yet filled out the Legislative Report survey,
please do so. We appreciate your input.
Link here
to our printer-friendly version.
Sincerely,
Norman
Turrill, Action Chair
Marge Easley, President
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 Sine Die
When the 74th Legislative Session convened in January, there were
goals, expectations, and a general feeling of confidence that, for the
first time in 16 years, having the Governor's office and the
Legislature in the hands of the same political party would be
productive. There would be a return to civility and a dramatic
decrease in partisan politics that had been detrimental to moving
public policy issues since 1991.
In the end, after the shortest assembly session in many years, there
were indeed positive accomplishments in several issue areas. However,
the spirit of compromise and non-partisanship did not prevail
throughout the session, and important decisions on public policy were
left "on the cutting room floor." This report will cover both
the victories and disappointments of the session, and provide an
overview to prepare us for the next steps toward making Oregon a better
home for us all.
Kappy Eaton, Governance Coordinator
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 Fixing
Measure 37
LWVOR STRONGLY SUPPORTS
BALLOT MEASURE 49
Vote YES NOV. 6,
2007
Addressing the concerns surrounding the number of claims and extent of
waivers being granted to Measure 37 claimants was top priority for
both the Legislature and the League. The League continued to ask for
clarity, consistency and certainty in whatever solution was proposed.
Hundreds of Oregonians testified before the Joint Committee on Land Use
Fairness. Some wanted no change to Measure 37. Others wanted transfer
of all development rights or the creation of a broader eligibility
class. Many were concerned about loss of high value farm and forest
land and increased development in water-limited areas. Many were
concerned about the uncertainty created by Measure 37 claims. The
League testified at all hearings and in support of the bills, including
a House and Senate Floor Letter for HB 3540.
The bills in summary:
HB 3546 - Extends the time to
process Measure 37 claims by an additional 360 days to accommodate the
number of claims filed before Dec. 2, 2006 deadline.
HB 3540 - "Fixes" ORS
197.352 (2004 Ballot Measure 37)
- modifies the extent of
Measure 37 to residential claims only (no commercial, industrial);
- limits number of houses
per residential claim to prevent new subdivisions;
- protects high value farm
and forest land and groundwater limited areas;
- clarifies that Measure 37
claimants can build homes on their property if allowed when
purchased;
- ensures that right is
transferable to a surviving spouse and to new owners.
HB 2640 - Prescribes the Title,
Summary and the November election date for the Referral to the voters
of the "Fix," HB 3540.
Liz Frenkel, Natural Resources Coordinator
Peggy Lynch, Committee Member
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Fiscal Policy
With an additional $2 billion available for the General Fund, many agency
budgets were increased for 2007-09. Education, public safety
and social programs were enhanced, but the funding for human services
and public safety did not reach anticipated goals.
A 30-member Task Force on Comprehensive Revenue Restructuring
was created to provide advice to the Governor and Legislature on fiscal
restructuring for both state and local governments. An Oregon
Revenue Advisory Council will provide technical assistance and make
recommendations. There will be four public members and eight from the
Legislature.
After months of discussion, the Legislature passed a comprehensive and
complicated bill dealing with tax credits, keeping some credits and
providing revenue to cover those that were kept. Essentially, revenue
will be generated by removing Oregon personal income tax credits
from taxpayers having incomes of over $156,400 (individuals), $234,600
(couples) or $195,500 (heads of household). There are certain one-time credits
for health care in TRICARE systems, and annual caps on energy
credits. Among others, tax credits are allowed to individuals who
own and occupy manufactured dwellings, and exemptions are given for
natural resource property and property used in commercial fishing. Some
credits are expanded, such as for business facilities using renewable
energy sources, for homebuilder installed renewable and alternative
electric energy systems, and for certified film production
contributions to the Oregon Production Investment Fund. Taxpayers
also can now subtract contributions to the College Savings Network from
federal taxable income.
Left on the Cutting Room Floor:
- Increase to the minimum corporate tax ($10)
even though business supported an increase.
- Increase in the beer tax to fund additional
state troopers. No increase in 27 years.
- Statutory increase in the cigarette tax
(.845 cents) to fund the Healthy Kids Act and 117,000 additional
Oregon children. Instead it is proposed to go into the
Oregon Constitution.
For the most part,
these actions were not taken because they require a 3/5 majority in the
House and Senate. The five additional votes from the other side of the
aisle that were needed in the House could not be obtained, even to
refer the measures to voters.
Kappy Eaton,
Governance Coordinator
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 Other Land Use Issues
Schools in Planning
SB 336: Requires school
districts to develop a Facilities Plan, which then can be
considered by local governments when land use decisions are made, and
removes the statutory provision providing that school capacity cannot
be the sole basis for approval or denial or a residential development
application.
SB 1036: Allows school
districts to assess a construction excise tax on new
residential, commercial and industrial construction. This fee
will be a small part of the cost of new school construction needs
statewide.
The
League did not support SB 1036 because it includes a provision which
preempts local governments from making local decisions on funding issues.
We do
believe that public schools are an important part of our communities
and should be an integral part of community planning; League positions
support provisions for adequate funding of schools. The League
supported HB 2525, which did not pass,
which would have allowed local governments to assess Systems
Development Charges for K-12 schools.
Protecting
Statewide Land Use Planning
HB 5033: the Department of Land
Conservation & Development budget.
The League, toward the end of the session, came to the conclusion that
the "Big Look" (Oregon Task Force on Land Use
Planning) was not planning the education effort that the League had
supported when the "Big Look" legislation passed last
session. The League also believed that the current program would
conflict with efforts to pass Ballot Measure 49 (the Measure 37
"Fix"). Therefore, the League supported suspending the "Big
Look" program.
HB 665: A compromise
measure allowing a Morrow County auto speedway to expand without
consideration of Goals 3, 11 and 14; but requiring a local public
review process.
The League opposed a number of bills that would have allowed individual
projects/properties to subvert the local process.
Aggregate
Mining
SB
149: Enhances the Department of Geology & Mineral
Industries' ability to modify and enforce operating permits and
reclamation plans for aggregate mining.
SB
544: Directs the Department of State Lands to
investigate feasibility of establishing a certification program
for professional wetland scientists.
In
addition, the League supported HB
3461 that would have protected Class I and II soils from
aggregate mining, but it had only one committee hearing. HB
3557, a "gut-and-stuff" of HB 3461, had a courtesy
hearing near the end of the session in another committee. Both
hearings had considerable testimonial support for the concept.
Liz
Frenkel, Natural Resources Coordinator
Peggy
Lynch, Committee Member
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Prevention of delinquency and crime was a theme in both Human
Services and Public Safety Committees. Senators and
Representatives understand the concept of providing early intervention
services to at risk children and their parents with the long term goal
of a cost savings in juvenile and adult corrections in the future.
The Oregon Commission on Children and Families (OCCF) received restored
funding for Healthy Start, an early childhood program, for
additional relief nurseries for at-risk children and parents, for staff
positions in county offices, and for homeless youth programs. Every
legislator on the Human Services Subcommittee made comments, which
supported the prevention concept and supported the mission of this
agency.
The Public Safety Subcommittee sent $500,000 to the Human Services
Subcommittee for relief nurseries in Marion/Polk and Umatilla
Counties, a surprising sharing of funds among the committees. OCCF was
allocated an additional $200,000 for relief nurseries in the last
budget bill. At the end of the session, the legislature passed a bill
to set up a Public Safety Strategy Task Force to evaluate child
development programs, the amount of investments, crime prevention,
support for criminal and delinquency rate reduction, and
recommendations regarding sentencing laws.
Karen Nibler, Social Policy Coordinator
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Department
of Human Services
The Department of Human Services (DHS) received extra funds in the last
days of the Ways and Means Subcommittee meetings. Additional
funds were added for Self Sufficiency programs for child care
during a one year transition to employment, for Child Welfare
for foster care to keep siblings together and pay low-income relatives
for foster care, and for Addiction Services for parents
who have children in foster care or receive financial assistance from
the state.
Community Mental Health received a $10 million additional
package for acute care in regional hospitals, case management for adult
chronically mentally ill, supported housing and supported employment
programs. Children's Mental Health Services in the
community were included in that budget allocation.
Unfunded parts of the DHS budget were the health care for adults
in the Oregon Health Plan and the services for seniors in Oregon
Project Independence. Seniors and People with Disabilities did receive
funds at the end of the session for a long term care ombudsman, for
independent living centers and for CNA training in nursing
facilities.
Karen Nibler, Social Policy Coordinator
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The Oregon Conservation Network, and the League as a member, would have
liked air quality enforcement to be under the Department of
Environmental Quality, not the Department of Agriculture. A
compromise proposal failed that would have expanded the program to
cover CAFOs (Concentrated Area Feeding Operations) as well as other
agricultural air pollution sources.
SB 235: Allows
Environmental Quality Commission and the Department of Agriculture to
administer and enforce federal and state air quality laws applicable to
agriculture.
Pollution Tax Credits
Oregon's nearly 40-year-old "Pollution Tax Credits" statutes
will expire December 2007. One of the great victories of
the 2007 Legislative Session was the failure of a bill that would have
removed the "sunset" clause of the Pollution Tax Credit
statutes. HB 3500, which was opposed by
the League and the Oregon Conservation Network, would not only have
extended these tax credits that "paid polluters to obey the
law," but also would have "enhanced" the tax credit.
Liz Frenkel, Natural Resources Coordinator
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One thousand signatures of qualified voters will be required to
obtain a ballot title on initiative petitions, replacing the current 25
signatures.
All paid petition signature gatherers must register with the
Secretary of State, obtain picture ID and receive training regarding
the process.
Employers of paid petitioners must keep accurate payroll records for
all employees and present them for review by representatives of the
Attorney General, Secretary of State, and Bureau of Labor and Industry.
Templates for petition signature sheets will be prepared by the
Elections Division and used by all petition passers.
The new law goes into effect January 1, 2008 and will apply to any
petitions signed after that date. The Elections Division will separate
and count the two sets of sheets. All petitions starting after
the effective date must comply.
Kappy Eaton, Governance Coordinator
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Although the Department of Correc
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