Leg. Update: Faster Highways, Main Street Revitalization, and Marijuana Town Hall this week

Representative John Davis

Rep. John Davis Legislative Update


Rep. Davis' family

As April comes to a close, we shift to fewer "housekeeping" and minor policy bills passing out of committees, and sharpen the legislative focus on agency budgets, tax credits, and financial issues. Additionally, the major policy debates of the year will pass or fail  (think gun control & business mandates like minimum wage).  Importantly, in the coming weeks the May revenue forecast will be released by the State Economist (Office of Economic Analysis), upon which our upcoming biennial budget (July 1, 2015 through June 30, 2017) will be based.



In Committee Last Week - Faster Highways and Beautiful Main Streets

In Transportation and Economic Development, two interesting bills passed with bipartisan support and may become law by the end of session. The first is HB 3402, which as amended increases the speed limit for vehicles on certain highways as depicted below. It would match the speeds limits of Washington and California (70/65 mph) on I-85 between the Idaho and the Dalles, and to 65/60 mph on certain state highways. One argument in support is any increase in speed effectively reduces the travel time between eastern Oregon and the rest of the state, essentially bringing Oregonians closer together. 

Speed Limit Map

The second, HB 3526, would establish the Oregon Main Street Revitalization Grant Program within Business Oregon to award grants to participants in the Oregon Main Street Network and members of the National Main Street Center for purposes of preservation-based community revitalization and economic development. I moved the bill to the House Committee on Rules, where we expect some amendments and the bill to move to Ways and Means, then the House Floor.  The bill is an opportunity to "spruce up" Oregon's Main Streets as an economic development tool, particularly in rural areas.


Upcoming Marijuana/M91 Town Halls

 REMINDER: Sherwood Town Hall Tomorrow

Senator Thatcher, city councilors, law enforcement and the Oregon Liquor Control Commission (OLCC) will join us in a discussion about the implementation of Ballot Measure 91, which legalizes recreational marijuana in Oregon. Starting July 1, 2015, Measure 91 legalizes the personal use and possession of certain amounts of recreational marijuana. The Legislative Assembly is considering changes to the law addressing taxation, consumption, growing and regulation of marijuana. These town halls are opportunities for residents to learn about Measure 91 and share their opinions about how the legal framework for marijuana should be shaped by the legislature. I welcome input from every perspective.

Sherwood 

- Wed, April 29th 6:30pm - 7:30pm - 
Sherwood Police Department, 
20495 SW Borchers Dr, Sherwood, OR 97140

Tigard | King City 

- Wed, May 20th 6:30pm - 7:30pm - 
Tigard Public Library - Public Community Room, 
13500 SW Hall Blvd, Tigard, OR  97223


Capitol Visitors

TeenPac

  

I spoke to TeenPact of Oregon Leadership School, which met in Salem and visited the Capitol last week. TeenPact trains young people to be leaders who will impact the nation and is a comprehensive four-day experience that challenges students to grow both personally and spiritually. 


Bills that Passed the House Last Week

April 19, 2015 - April 25, 2015

The following is a partial list of bills that passed the House last week. 

(Click This Link to Find the Status of All House Bills)

HB 2938 Relating to annexation. Prohibits city from requiring consent to annexation of landowner's property in exchange for city providing county service as agent of county.

HB 2024 - A Relating to basic preventive dental services. Directs Oregon Health Authority, in consultation with coordinated care organizations and dental care organizations in this state, to certify certain health workers to provide early childhood basic preventive dental services.

HB 2282 - A Relating to transportation. Allows Department of Transportation to accept documents received electronically related to titling, registration, odometer disclosure and other activities.

HB 2638 Relating to prescription drugs. Permits medical assistance recipients and coordinated care organizations to use Oregon Prescription Drug Program.

HB 3016 - A Relating to manufactured structures. Modifies provisions of capital gains exemption for amounts received for sale of manufactured dwelling park.

HB 3139 - A Relating to mobile medical clinics. Prohibits local government from preventing mobile medical clinic from locating to private property for not more than 180 days.

HCR 20 Honoring civic leader, author, journalist and entrepreneur Gerald "Gerry" Frank. Honors civic leader, author, journalist and entrepreneur Gerald "Gerry" Frank.

HCR 17 Honoring Southern Oregon University Raiders football team for National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics championship. Honors 2014 Southern Oregon University Raiders football team for their first-ever National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics Football National Championship.

HB 3139 - A Relating to mobile medical clinics. Prohibits local government from preventing mobile medical clinic from locating to private property for not more than 180 days.

HB 3168 - A Relating to monetary obligations of defendants. Authorizes court to waive unpaid portion of previously imposed criminal fine if defendant demonstrates financial hardship that prevents completion of drug treatment program.

HB 3005 Relating to persons volunteering outside of the United States. Extends expiration date of driver license for persons volunteering outside of United States.

HB 3371 - A Relating to protection for students who make good faith reports; declaring an emergency. Prohibits retaliation against student of education program who makes good faith report regarding possible violation of state or federal law, rule or regulation.

HB 3414 - A Relating to lane of travel. Requires certain persons to not drive in far left lane unless passing.

HB 3516 - A Relating to oversight of programs offering academic degrees. Requires each school obtaining approval from Higher Education Coordinating Commission to offer academic degree to annually obtain bond or letter of credit demonstrating school is financially sound and capable of fulfilling commitments to students.

HB 2762 - A Relating to school meals. Requires school district to eliminate use of polystyrene foam plates, trays, food containers or food packaging in service of any meal unless school district recycles polystyrene foam.

HB 2888  Relating to proceedings against nuisance properties. Allows action to enjoin or restrain nuisance if place is used for certain activities involving animals.

HB 2187 - A Relating to ocean energy. Finds and declares policy position of Oregon relating to consideration of ocean renewable energy in regional transmission planning processes.

HB 2277 - A Relating to authority of drainage districts to perform flood control. Modifies authority of drainage districts to perform flood control activity.

HB 2375 - A Relating to accountability in public procurement. Requires state contracting agency to use solicitation template that Attorney General and Oregon Department of Administrative Services develop, approve and make available in advertising and soliciting procurements under Public Contracting Code and to use contract form or contract template, as appropriate, that Attorney General and department develop, approve and make available as basis for public contracts into which state contracting agency enters.

HB 2412 - A Relating to educators. Removes outdated provisions and updates terminology related to teachers.

HB 2585 - A Relating to electric vehicle charging stations. Modifies authority granted to owner of lot in planned community or unit in condominium to install and use electric vehicle charging station for personal, noncommercial use. 

HB 2831 Relating to use of property line adjustments in resource zones. Modifies authority to use property line adjustments in resource zones.

HB 2987 Relating to compliance with green energy technology mandates for public buildings. Removes requirement for contracting agency to hold in account or otherwise reserve moneys for including green energy technology in constructing, reconstructing or performing major renovation on public building if contracting agency determines that including green energy technology is not appropriate.

HB 3068 - A Relating to energy source conversion programs. Directs Department of Environmental Quality to conduct study and develop recommendations for legislation to reduce woodstove smoke.

HB 3212 - A Relating to land use. Makes law or rule solely for purpose of regulating previously allowed farming practice land use regulation for purposes of certain land use laws.

HB 3274 - A Relating to expansion of technology infrastructure in rural Oregon. Directs Oregon Business Development Department to conduct study and submit report to interim legislative committees, no later than December 31, 2016, regarding methods to expand broadband and telecommunications infrastructure in rural cities and counties in Oregon.

HB 3303 - A Relating to certain disadvantaged businesses. Permits Certification Office for Business Inclusion and Diversity to certify business that service-disabled veteran owns as disadvantaged business enterprise that is eligible for certain preferences in public contracting.

HB 3455 - A Relating to all-terrain vehicles. Increases membership of All-Terrain Vehicle Advisory Committee.

HB 2023 - A Relating to protocols for a health care facility's discharge of a patient who presented with a behavioral health crisis. Specifies requirements for hospital policies for discharge planning involving patient who is hospitalized for mental health treatment.

HB 2471 - A Relating to qualifications to practice a profession related to the final disposition of human remains; declaring an emergency. Changes qualifications to practice as funeral service practitioner or embalmer in this state, including qualifications related to reciprocity and training.

HB 2472 - A Relating to investigations of facilities that provide services related to the final disposition of human remains. Modifies authority of State Mortuary and Cemetery Board to conduct investigations of premises and records of facilities that provide services related to final disposition of human remains.

Sincerely,

State Representative John Davis

House District 26: Wilsonville, Sherwood, King City,

Hillsboro, Beaverton, Aloha, Tigard, & Bull Mountain

EmailRep.JohnDavis@state.or.us
Websitehttp://www.oregonlegislature.gov/Davis
Capitol Address: 900 Court St. NE, H-483, Salem, Oregon 97301


Legislative Staff 
Legislative Director - Michelle Felton - michelle.felton@state.or.us
Small Business Liaison - Sterling Smith - sterling.smith@state.or.us
Policy Analyst | Legal Extern - Brianna Wellman - brianna.wellman@state.or.us

Committees

House Committee on Revenue
Joint Committee On Tax Credits - Co-Vice Chair

Joint Committee On Health Insurance Transition
House Committee on Tansportation and Economic Development - Vice-Chair


Quick Links
The State’s system to track bills and see committee agendas: Oregon Legislative Information (OLIS) 

Our State of Oregon Legislative Website: Oregon Legislature