Hello Friends,
During any given session, there are certain deadlines that
we have to meet. April 21st
marked one, when all bills introduced into either the House or the Senate must
have passed out of their respective committees and moved on to the other
Chamber or be deemed dead for the session.
Needless to say, the pace of activity has been intense over the last
couple of weeks with legislators trying to make sure that their legislative
concepts will not end up on the cutting room floor.
We are also midway through this session, so I thought it
would be appropriate to give you my “half time report” to let you know what I
have accomplished so far. Here are the
bills of which I am the chief sponsor that have passed the House and are now
over in the Senate.
·
HB 2525
This bill directs the Higher Education Coordinating Commission to develop
standards related to transferability of credits between community colleges and
public universities. Too often students
spend a lot of time and money taking classes that will not be acceptable in a
Bachelor’s degree program. This is
unacceptable and needs to be corrected.
·
HB 2532
Requires lenders or their agents to clearly state, in all forms of advertising,
what the provisions are of a reverse mortgage.
Many people, most of whom are elderly, have been led to believe this if
“free money.” Nothing could be farther
from the truth. In fact, several
circumstances may trigger the loan to come due, including the borrower’s death,
the home is sold or the home ceases to be the borrower’s primary dwelling.
·
HB 2534
Directs the State Fish and Wildlife Commission to adopt rules prohibiting the
use of drones while hunting or fishing.
It is my feeling that drones have no place in sport hunting and fishing
and they are antithetical to the concept of fair chase or catch.
·
HB 2888
Adds any place used for crimes against animals to the existing list of
activities that may be addressed as a nuisance through civil abatement. This gives neighbors the capacity to report
properties that are being used for activities that are otherwise illegal.
·
HB 2892
Requires that the POW/MIA flag be displayed alongside the Oregon State flag on all
public buildings year round. There are
currently 98 Oregonians still listed among the missing, and this seems a
fitting tribute to them and their families.
·
HB 3382
Extends the sunset on a law generally prohibiting the growing of canola in a
Willamette Valley Protected District.
Studies are still being conducted by scientists at OSU and this will
allow them to continue their investigations.
·
HJM 3
Urges Congress to enact legislation requiring stabilization of crude oil prior
to transport. This is arguably the most
impactful legislation concerning District 31 this session. As oil trains continue to increase, our
Congressional Delegation must address the flammability of Bakken crude and the
danger that it presents to the communities all along the route. Congress responded once before to our request
for safer oil cars but that proved to be inadequate. We are now asking them to go to the root of
the problem.
That’s it for now. Next week I will have an update on SB 941, the bill that would expand
background checks for the purchase of fire arms. We have been awash in calls and emails, so
don’t let anyone tell you that people aren't paying attention!
Yours truly,
Representative Brad Witt House District 31
LOCAL EVENT!
CASA Fundraising Breakfast is coming up 7:30am-8:30am on May 5th, 2015 at Columbia River Reception & Events, 1070 Columbia Blvd, St. Helens, OR This event is open to all who wish to attend. We invite you to ask a friend or bring a co-worker.
CASA will ask you for one or two things or both at this event #1- to understand what CASA is and help tell others of how they help foster children and/or #2- to please donate their time or financial support.
To RSVP, contact 503-988-5115 or ajohnson@casahelpkids.org by April 30th. Please include dietary restrictions.
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email: Rep.BradWitt@state.or.us I phone: 503-986-1431 address: 900 Court St NE, H-374, Salem, OR, 97301 website: http://www.oregonlegislature.gov/witt
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