|
If you're having trouble viewing this message, please visit my legislative web page at http://www.oregonlegislature.gov/prozanski/, click on "News" in the lower left-hand column and scroll down.
Dear friends,
October brings the start of much-needed rain and beautiful fall colors. Please slow down with the leaves on the roads and remember that a lot of kids will be out trick-or-treating on Tuesday, October 31 (see below for Halloween safety info). If you plan to travel over the mountain passes, don't forget to check www.tripcheck.com for weather alerts and traffic advisories before heading out.
From September 18-20, the Legislature held its first set of "legislative days" for the 2017 interim. The Senate Judiciary Committee, which I chair, and the House Judiciary Committee met jointly for updates on various topics, including the Equifax data breach. I've included below information from the Oregon Department of Justice to help individuals prevent identify theft as a result of this breach. Additionally, an informational brochure on credit freezes from the Department of Business & Consumer Services is available, here.
Below you will find information on:
- Equifax Data Breach: What You Need to Know
- Domestic Violence Awareness Month
- The Great Oregon Shakeout: October 19
- 2017 Session Accomplishments: Environment & Rural Oregon
- Joe Ziegler Memorial Fund (Oakridge Economic Development)
- Halloween Traffic Safety Tips
I hope this information is helpful and informative for you or someone you know. As always, feel free to share your comments, questions or concerns with me by phone, mail or e-mail.
Equifax Data Breach: What You Need to Know
As you've likely heard, one of the three major credit reporting companies — Equifax — revealed that the personal data of 143 million U.S. consumers in its care has been compromised. This huge hack of personal data occurred over the period of May through July 2017, but was not publicly reported by Equifax until September 7.
During the period of the breach, hackers accessed people's names, Social Security numbers, birth dates, addresses and, in some instances, driver's license numbers. They also stole credit card numbers and credit card dispute documents with personal identifying information. The state Attorney General advises Oregonians to take the following actions:
- Do NOT visit Equifax's website to find out if your information was exposed or to enroll in Equifax's credit monitoring service. That tool is unreliable. To find out if your information was exposed and/or enroll in Equifax's credit monitoring service, it's best to call Equifax directly at 1-800- 525-6285.
- Check your credit report for inaccuracies. You can request your credit report for free from each of three reporting bureaus every year by visiting www.annualcreditreport.com or by calling 1-877-322- 8228.
- Place a credit freeze. A credit freeze will halt any application for a new line of credit and remain in effect until you request that it be lifted. Keep in mind that a credit freeze won't prevent a thief from making charges to your existing accounts. It may cost up to $10 to place and/or remove a freeze at two of the three credit reporting bureaus. Equifax is offering to waive these fees for Oregonians through November 21, 2017. If you paid for a security freeze starting at 1 p.m. PDT on September 7, 2017, you will receive a refund. However, after November 21, 2017, you will have to pay up to $10 to "unfreeze" your credit. For more information on how to place a freeze, visit: https://www.doj.state.or.us/consumer- protection/id-theft-data-breaches/identity-theft/.
- Place a fraud alert. A fraud alert is a statement in your credit file that notifies anyone requesting a copy of your credit report that you may be a victim of ID theft. There are three different types of fraud alerts: an initial alert, an extended alert and an active duty alert. For more information on these types, visit: https://www.doj.state.or.us/consumer-protection/id-theft-data-breaches/identity-theft/.
- File your taxes as early as possible. As soon as you have the tax information you need, file your taxes before a scammer does. Tax identity theft happens when someone uses your Social Security number to get a tax refund or a job. Respond right away to letters from the IRS and the Oregon Department of Revenue.
-
Visit www.identitytheft.gov to learn more about protecting yourself after a data breach.
Under Oregon law, businesses with Oregon customers are required to inform customers and the Attorney General's Office about security breaches that have placed personal information in jeopardy. For more information on the law and to view a copy of the Equifax breach notice, please visit: https://justice.oregon.gov/consumer/databreach/. In short: Do not rely on Equifax to help you deal with this data breach. Consider taking these suggested actions to protect your information going forward. Check your credit report every four months or so. Thieves can use your information anytime and anywhere!
Domestic Violence Awareness Month
Nearly one in four women and one in seven men aged 18 and older in the United States have been the victim of severe physical violence by an intimate partner in their lifetime. Survivors often suffer tremendous physical, emotional, and financial hardships.
During the month of October, communities in Oregon and across the nation join together to raise awareness; recognize the prevalence of domestic violence; prevent abuse; and promote healthy, safe homes and relationships. This increased awareness should not be limited to October; for additional information about Domestic Violence Awareness Month 2016, and ways to get involved moving forward, please visit the Oregon Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence and the National Network to End Domestic Violence.
The Great Oregon Shakeout: October 19
In a recently issued gubernatorial proclamation, Governor Kate Brown declared October 19, 2017, as "Great Oregon ShakeOut Day." The proclamation encourages participation in the ShakeOut and urges Oregonians to be "Two Weeks Ready." Check out this informative minute-long video from the state Office of Emergency Management about the importance of being Two Weeks Ready: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Li1ODLbi2Msdf.
2017 Session Accomplishments: Environment & Rural Oregon
Continuing my in-depth summaries of bills passed during the 2017 session by subject area, here is a comprehensive listing of accomplishments related to environment and rural Oregon — by Senate/House bill and in numerical order:
Senate Bills
SB 3 - Suction Dredge Mining: This legislation protects wildlife by prohibiting suction dredge mining in essential indigenous anadromous salmonid habitat and restricting placer mining so that it does not harm mollusks, salmon habitat or Pacific Lamprey habitat.
SB 372 - Roadkill Salvage Permits: Under this legislation, the Oregon Fish & Wildlife Commission will adopt rules for issuing wildlife salvage permits so that deer or elk that have been accidentally killed in vehicle collisions can be recovered for human consumption.
SB 634 - Woody Biomass: Oregon law requires public entities to spend 1.5 percent of the total price of a public improvement contract for new construction on green energy technology. This legislation adds woody biomass energy technology to the list of energies that qualify as green energy technology.
SB 812 - Septic Loans: This legislation expands the loan program run by the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) to repair or upgrade small on-site septic systems by allowing DEQ to award funds for regional evaluation of community septic systems. New loans must be used to connect to an available sewer system, and DEQ is permitted to issue partial loans to applicants.
SB 847 - State Lands Transfer: This legislation allows the State Land Board, the Department of State Lands and the Legislative Assembly to transfer lands managed for the benefit of the Common School Fund to other public agencies that may be better suited to manage the lands to provide public benefits other than monetary ones. The State Land Board and Department of State Lands will identify lands with limited performance potential and submit them to the Legislative Assembly for consideration for transfer to an agency or tribe. SB 847 also creates the Trust Lands Transfer Fund.
SB 1008 - Cleaner School Buses and Other Diesel Vehicles: This legislation provides guidance for the allocation of money from the Volkswagen Environmental Mitigation Trust Agreement in the Clean Diesel Engine Fund. The bill directs the Department of Environmental Quality to award grants to reduce emissions from at least 450 school buses powered by diesel. SB 1008 also expands the allowable uses of the Clean Diesel Engine Fund to provide grants for covering up to 25 percent of the cost of replacing vehicles with diesel engines and non-road equipment with diesel engines.
House Bills
HB 2099 - Municipal Water Rights & Fish Persistence: Water rights holders in Oregon may request an extension of time in which to use that right, conditioned upon the holder obtaining a water management and conservation plan and maintaining the persistence of fish species in the water. This legislation specifies the date to use for assessment of the undeveloped portion of a water right and for fish persistence for the purposes of granting an extension to the water right holder. Under HB 2099, the undeveloped portion and the standard for fish persistence is based on the later date of June 29, 2005, the time specified in the permit to perfect the water right or the last approved extension date.
HB 2111 - Solar Panels Not Prohibited by Homeowner Agreements: This legislation prevents homeowner associations from prohibiting installation or use of solar panels. Associations may impose restrictions on size, placement and aesthetic requirements for solar panels.
HB 2316 - Small City Housing Plans: This legislation requires that cities with populations of less than 25,000 that are outside a metropolitan area submit a 20-year housing needs estimate and an inventory of buildable land to the Department of Land Conservation and Development. Cities also must adopt measures to accommodate housing needs that are consistent with the statewide planning goal relating to buildable lands for residential use.
HB 2722 - Excluding Certain Water Use from Homeowner Agreements: This legislation prohibits enforcement of condominium governing documents on irrigation and water use requirements in areas and times where, 1) the Governor or the Water Resources Commission has declared that severe drought exists or is likely to occur, 2) the governing body of the subdivision adopts an ordinance requiring conservation of water, or 3) the Homeowner Association adopts a rule to reduce or eliminate water use.
HB 2968 - Hazardous Waste Cleanup Program: This legislation directs the Department of Environmental Quality to determine policy changes necessary to allow the creation of a voluntary hazardous waste cleanup program that would absolve the liability of participants.
HB 3202 - Land Use Review Process for New Light Rail Project: This legislation provides direction for the decision-making process relevant to the Southwest Corridor MAX Light Rail Project. It directs the Land Conservation and Development Commission to establish criteria for Metro Council to use and requires an open notice and comment period to gather input on the criteria. Metro Council will then use the criteria to determine siting for the project. HB 3202 directs all elected governments to amend land use regulations and plans to be in compliance with Metro Council's final decision.
HB 3249 - Agricultural Heritage Fund: This legislation establishes the Agricultural Heritage Fund to help agricultural land owners partner with organizations to develop and implement conservation plans, covenants or easements.
Joe Ziegler Memorial Fund (Oakridge Economic Development)
In 1964, a little bit of the heart and soul of Oakridge disappeared, and a few years later, the same thing happened again. In the first event, Joe Ziegler, star athlete and an Oakridge sophomore, died from an injury sustained in a baseball game; the second event was the closing down of the lumber industry. Last fall, a group of Oakridge High School alumni launched Joe Ziegler Memorial Fund (JZMF) with the goal of encouraging and supporting OHS students with scholarship money, thereby contributing to the economic future of Oakridge. With scholarship help for higher education, it is entirely possible that a local student will become the entrepreneur who will hit on an idea that will help Oakridge prosper again.
Long-term success of JZMF will be measured in two ways: 1) by improving high school graduation rates with qualified applicants applying for and receiving college/trade school scholarships and, 2) by having more Oakridge families in stable economic situations. A stable long-term source of funding is key. To this end, JZMF is seeking companies and individuals in the sports and logging industries who understand the boom and bust of logging towns from the 1960s through the 1980s and who want to help reinvigorate the economies in those towns. Interested partners can contact Lee McAtee at leemcatee@gmail.com or 503-333-6643.
Halloween Traffic Safety Tips
The Oregon State Police (OSP) reminds you to watch for trick-or-treaters when driving in neighborhoods or going to a party on Halloween night, October 31. OSP encourages parents to:
- Dress children in bright costumes. Use reflective tape or stickers on dark costumes.
- Apply face paint or cosmetics appropriate for children directly to the face. It is safer than a loose-fitting mask that can obstruct a child's vision.
- If a mask is worn, cut the eyeholes large enough for full vision.
- Have children carry flashlights or glow sticks to improve their visibility.
- Secure hats so they will not slip over children's eyes.
- Remind children to cross streets only at intersections.
- Teach children to stop and look for cars, looking to the left, right and left again before crossing, and then to keep looking both ways for cars while they cross.
- Teach children to never dart into a street or cross a street from between parked cars.
|
