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Hello Friends,
This week, I was proud to join my colleagues in helping to pass House Bill 2014, which lifts the current $500,000 cap on non-economic damages for victims of negligence. There is no limit to the amount juries can award for economic damages in lawsuits, which covers medical bills, lost wages and property damage. But a 2016 Oregon Supreme Court ruling established a $500,000 cap on noneconomic damages. I signed on as a sponsor of this bill because it would restore fairness to the system and allow victims to recover the damages a jury determines are owed. The cap on non-economic damages is a cap on justice for the victims of negligence. The House voted 36-22 to advance HB 2014 to the Senate.
On Tuesday the House passed legislation to strengthen consumer protections for payday lending. A payday loan offered by a non-bank payday lender is a cash loan of up to $50,000 with a short-term (31-60 days) made to a borrower with a regular income. HB 2089 prohibits a practice known as “debt stacking” where payday and title loan companies lend additional money to individuals who have outstanding debt with those companies. Legislation passed in 2007 to reform title loan and payday lending included that interest not exceeding 36% per year, a payday loan can be renewed only twice, and established a seven day “cooling off period” between payday loans. Previous legislation did not clearly prevent payday lenders from “stacking” or offering multiple loans to a consumer as long as the loans were not within seven days of the expiration of a loan. By clarifying the statutory language, HB 2089 seeks to limit payday lenders to one loan at a time, giving consumers time to repay the loan and help prevent a cycle of high-interest debt. The bill was approved by a 46-13 House floor vote and moves to the Senate for consideration.
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Rep Witt Speaks to Oregon Forestland Owners
I enjoyed meeting with constituents involved with forest issues this week, and had a chance to speak with them during lunch on Tuesday. It is always good to discuss issues with friends and neighbors.
My office has also been hearing from constituents about many environmental issues and I would like to mention some pending legislation. Consumer awareness of single-use plastics and their impact on the environment has prompted bills regulating single use plastic bags, straws and polystyrene.
Plastic bags are among the most commonly found litter and pose a major contamination problem at recycling centers. Beginning with the City of Portland’s ordinance in 2011, 16 local jurisdictions have regulated the use of plastic check-out bags. They have been totally banned in both Hawaii and California. Such a ban may also help stimulate demand for recycled paper bags as the bill requires.
HB 2509 prohibits the use of thin, single-use plastic bags at retail establishments and restaurants. Retailers may offer paper bags, but there will be a charge of at least eight cents. The extra charge will be waived for customers participating in food assistance programs such as EBT, WIC, and TANF. Small plastic bags for produce and meat will still be provided in-store for consumer health reasons. Bags used for dry cleaning, pet waste, newspapers, or garbage liners will also be exempt.
HB 2883 is a ban on the use of polystyrene takeout containers. Every day millions of disposable plastic items are discarded, and polystyrene commonly referred to as Stryofoam is among the worse forms of plastic pollution. Like all plastics, it does not biodegrade, but it does break down into smaller and smaller pieces, which can be swept into waterways, ending up in oceans and lakes. Portland banned polystyrene takeout containers 30 years ago, and other Oregon cities have followed suit. Reports from cities who have implemented a ban are positive, less trash and plastic pollution and an increased market for less costly recycled paper containers. Many individuals and organizations came to Salem to offer support for this ban, and HB 2883 is scheduled for a work session on April 2nd in the House Committee on Energy and Environment.
Thanks for reading my newsletter
Brad
email: Rep.BradWitt@oregonlegislature.gov 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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