2013 Legislative Session

Dear Friends,

Thank you for subscribing to my electronic newsletter. It is with great pleasure that I return to the Oregon State Senate for the 2013 Legislative Session as the Senate President Pro Tempore. 2013 is the beginning of my fifth term, and I am excited to continue serving my neighbors in Senate District 18.

I am honored to be serving as the chair of the Senate Committee on Finance and Revenue and co-chair of the Joint Committee on Tax Credits this session. I will also be serving as a member of the Rules committee, and the newly formed committee on Rural Communities and Economic Development.

Priority Bills

As many of you know, I have been a leading voice in the Oregon Legislature for gun safety in our communities. The recent shootings in Clackamas and Newtown, Connecticut are tragic reminders of how important this work is. This session I will be working on five concepts:

1.) No guns in schools: SB 347 http://www.leg.state.or.us/13reg/measures/sb0300.dir/sb0347.intro.html

SB 347 removes the current exemption in the law that allows individuals with concealed hand guns licenses to carry loaded guns into schools. By removing this exemption, only law enforcement officers will be able to carry a gun in our children’s’ schools. School districts who wish to opt out of this restriction and allow guns will be able to do so.  

2.) Banning large capacity magazines: SB 346 http://www.leg.state.or.us/13reg/measures/sb0300.dir/sb0346.intro.html

SB 346 bans large capacity magazines and clips. The bill defines large capacity magazines as those with the capacity to hold more than 10 rounds of ammunition.

Large capacity magazines can dramatically increase death tolls and have no legitimate place in our neighborhoods. Even hunters are restricted from using large capacity magazines: there is a five cartridge limit for large game hunting, and three for bird hunting. If we limit capacity for hunting animals, why do we not extend that principle to guns that may harm our neighbors?

3.) Background checks on all guns prior to purchase

This final concept would require a background check prior to the sale or transfer of all guns, except between immediate family members. The State of Oregon already requires background checks when purchasing a gun from a licensed dealer or at a gun show and it is time that we extend those provisions to the purchase of all guns.

4.) Banning semi-automatic rifles

I strongly believe that military-style assault rifles are weapons of war and have no legitimate place in our communities. This bill would ban all sales of semi-automatic assault rifles.  

5.) Limiting child access to guns

Many of the gun accidents that we have seen in our communities are created by situations where children gain access to a firearm. This concept seeks to address this problem by creating a crime of endangering a minor by allowing access to a firearm.

Committee Work

As chair of the Senate Finance and Revenue Committee, I will focus on bringing stability to our revenue system. Some of the larger issues this session that my committee will discuss include property tax reform, the senior medical tax deduction, and comprehensive tax reform.

As co-chair of the Joint Committee on Tax Credits, I will lead the discussion and review of tax credits that are slated for sunset in 2014. The process of reviewing tax credits began with HB 2067 from 2009. Every program benefiting from a state tax credit will have to justify its continuance when it is slated for a sunset every six years.

Staying updated on the legislative session

We will continue to send updates on the work that we are doing in Salem as Session progresses. However, we want to also give you the tools to stay informed on your own.

You can use www.leg.state.or.us to access information about committees, agendas, floor sessions, and specific bills. Here’s some specific information on how to do so.

1) How to look up a bill:

The Oregon Legislature has a user-friendly website that allows you to track bills. Go to http://www.leg.state.or.us/bills_laws/ and click on the link for the 2013 legislative session. This will direct you to a webpage that provides several search options. You can search for bills based on keyword or specific bill number.

2) How to track bills:

Make a note of the bill number. Go to http://www.leg.state.or.us/searchmeas.html and search for the bill. This will direct you to a page that will provide the status of the bill, sponsors, brief description of the bill, scheduled action (public hearing, work session etc), and a link to the language of the introduced bill.

3) Testify before a committee:

If a bill you are interested in is scheduled for a public hearing, you have the option to participate in the process by testifying in front of a committee. If you have written testimony, you should bring 15 copies. You can view committee agendas here: 

     4) Accessing committee hearings and floor sessions online:

Committee hearings and floor sessions are also streamed online. To watch a specific committee hearing, go to http://www.leg.state.or.us/listn/ . Each committee webpage will have archived and live audio and video.

As the 2013 Legislative Session progresses, I welcome your comments, questions and suggestions. You can contact my Chief of Staff Jen Lewis-Goff or my Legislative Aide Peter Brown at (503) 986-1718 or by e-mail at sen.ginnyburdick@state.or.us. I look forward to hearing from you!

Best,

Ginny