February 2016 Archives

SB 1547 B Ceases Electric Utilities From Acquiring Electricity From Coal-Fired Plants

Posted on February 28, 2016 by BJ

Vote NO – Passed – Directs PUC to develop renewable standards eliminating coal and increase renewable power to double that required by the Oregon Renewable Portfolio Standards.

HB 4146C Increases Lodging Tax

Posted on February 25, 2016 by BJ

VOTE:NO – Passed – Increases state transient lodging tax rate.

HB 4004 Removes Jason Lee statue from DC

Posted on February 24, 2016 by BJ

2/24/2016 VOTE: NO Died In Committee Status (overview) of bill: https://olis.leg.state.or.us/liz/2016R1/Measures/Overview/HB4004 HB 4004 has passed the committee and is awaiting transfer to the House Desk. Please contact your Legislators both House and Senate, as bills are moving very fast through committees and to a floor vote. A NO vote is asked to allow for more public testimony on the removal…

HB 4012 Dam removal monitoring projects and funding

Posted on February 22, 2016 by BJ

2/22/2016 VOTE: NO Died In Committee Status (overview) of bill: https://olis.leg.state.or.us/liz/2016R1/Measures/Overview/HB4012 HB 4012 has been gut and stuffed. HB4012 would authorize the issuance of lottery bonds to finance water quality monitoring projects related to removal of dams and establish Water Quality Monitoring Fund. Continuously appropriates moneys in fund to Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board. Personal Choice and Responsibility Clearly this…

HB 4073A adds secular organizations to solemnize marriages

Posted on February 21, 2016 by BJ

VOTE:NO Died In Committee Status (cverview) of bill:https://olis.leg.state.or.us/liz/2016R1/Measures/Overview/HB4073 This bill adds secular organizations to list of persons and entities authorized to solemnize marriages. Personal Choice In 2012 the U.K. Forced Marriage Unit reported 1,485 cases of forced marriage. The AHA Foundation, an advocacy organization founded by vocal women’s rights defenders, helped 54 victims in 2013 out of forced marriages….

HB 4127 Redefines marriage

Posted on February 21, 2016 by BJ

VOTE:NO Passed Status (cverview) of bill:https://olis.leg.state.or.us/liz/2016R1/Measures/Overview/HB4073 This bill makes changes to statutes adding gender neutral language regarding marriage. Redefines "marriage" as between two individuals legally recognized under the laws of this state. Personal Choice The State Constitution is "The People's" voice. This bill bends the voice of the people until it is in direct opposition to the constitution. Limited…

HB 4011A Reclassifies OR State Hospital employees as police

Posted on February 21, 2016 by BJ

VOTE:NO Died In committee Status (cverview) of bill:https://olis.leg.state.or.us/liz/2016R1/Measures/Overview/HB4011 This bill as amended provides that employees of Oregon State Hospital qualify as police officers under Public Employees Retirement System. Declares emergency Personal Choice Increases taxpayer's burden by 20% for Oregon State Hospital employees to support PERS and give added benefits. Periodically, the number add to the police classification grows and is…

SB 1582 Fast Track Housing Program for affordable housing

Posted on February 19, 2016 by BJ

VOTE: NO Passed Status (overview) of bill: https://olis.oregonlegislature.gov/liz/2016R1/Measures/Overview/SB1582 SUMMARY: This bill as amended creates the Local Innovation and Fast Track Housing Program (LIFT) to allow housing to be purchased or rented with state assistance making available needed housing for low-income households. Declares emergency. Personal Choice Increases available housing for low-income households at a large cost to taxpayers. Fiscal Responsiblity…

SB 1510B TriMet Taxes

Posted on February 18, 2016 by BJ

Vote NO – Died in Committee – Allows TriMet to tax citizens in its transit district.

HB 4037 Directs Oregon Business Development Department to establish incentivize solar energy program.

Posted on February 15, 2016 by BJ

VOTE:NO Passed Status (overview) of bill:https://olis.leg.state.or.us/liz/2016R1/Measures/Overview/HB4037 This bill directs Oregon Business Development Department to establish program to incentivize solar energy. Establishes Solar Incentivization Fund for purposes of program. Sunsets 1/2/2023. Declares an emergency. Free Markets: Bill creates a program that will incentivize generating electricity from solar energy, an effort that incentivizes an agenda rather than following a free market policy….

HB 4006 Establishes Task Force on Economic Development

Posted on February 10, 2016 by BJ

VOTE: NO Died In committee Status (overview) of bill: https://olis.leg.state.or.us/liz/2016R1/Measures/Overview/HB4006 Sumary: Establishes Task Force on Economic Development. Sunsets task force on December 31, 2017. Declares emergency, effective on passage Fiscal Responsibility HB 4006 establishes a Task Force on Economic Development. Government economic development is a welfare scheme used to redistribute public funds to private sector projects. Local Control HB 4006 eliminates local authority…

SB 1521 Excise tax on employees

Posted on February 9, 2016 by BJ

VOTE:N0 Died in Committee Status of bill:https://olis.leg.state.or.us/liz/2016R1/Measures/Overview/SB1521 Personal Responsibility: ORS 267.385 authorizes districts to impose an excise tax on certain employers’ gross payroll by ordinance. If passed this bill would amend 267.385 to – in effect – remove an employee’s right to vote on a new tax or tax increase. Fiscal Responsibility: The bill limits the expenditure of the taxes authorized…

HB 4119 Supports School Choice

Posted on February 9, 2016 by BJ

VOTE: YES – Died in Committee – Removes sunset on provisions that allow students whose legal residence is not within school district to attend school in district as resident if student receives written consent. Removes sunset on authority of institution of higher education to sponsor public charter school. Declares emergency, effective on passage.

SB 1509 Modifies public purpose charges on electric bills.

Posted on February 8, 2016 by BJ

VOTE:NO Died in Committee Status (overview) of bill:https://olis.leg.state.or.us/liz/2016R1/Measures/Overview/SB1509 Provides that funding for cost-effective energy efficiency measures, market transformation measures, new renewable energy resources and low-income weatherization is subject to ratemaking processes of Public Utility Commission. Declares emergency. Free Markets: The increased consumer rates authorised by this bill will be used to assist the introduction of new, more expensive renewable…

HB 4126 amendments of urban growth boundaries

Posted on February 6, 2016 by BJ

VOTE: YES Passed Status (overview) of bill: https://olis.leg.state.or.us/liz/2016R1/Measures/Overview/HB4126 This bill is a housekeeping bill to create the grandfather provision to allow cities that had initiated their UGB work prior to January 1, 2016 to continue that process under the statutes and administrative rules in effect on June 30, 2013. Fiscal Responsiblity the cost of abiding by regulations is increased…

SJR 203 Constitutional Change to State Board of Education

Posted on February 5, 2016 by BJ

VOTE: YES – Died in Committee – Proposes an amendment to the Oregon Constitution providing for the establishment of the State Board of Education.

HB 4031: Implements Program to Decrease Rates of School Absenteeism

Posted on February 4, 2016 by BJ

VOTE: NO – Died in Committee – Directs Chief Education Office to design and implement $5.7 million pilot program to decrease rates of school absenteeism through ” trauma-informed approach” to behavioral health services in schools.

HB 4036A Clean Electricity and Coal Transition bill

Posted on February 3, 2016 by BJ

VOTE:NO Died in Committee Status (overview) of bill:https://olis.leg.state.or.us/liz/2016R1/Measures/Overview/HB4036 SUMMARY: Directs PUC to develop renewable standards eliminating coal and increase renewable power to double that required by the Oregon Renewable Portfolio Standards. PERSONAL CHOICE: Utilities can usually pass prudently incurred costs to ratepayers limiting them to a 10% profit. This bill has significant incentives to build solar and wind powered generation…

SB 1536 Modifies Compensation to Non-Virtual, Public Charter Schools

Posted on February 3, 2016 by BJ

VOTE: YES – Died in committee – Brings the level of funding of public charter schools more in line with funding of regular public schools.

HB 4046B Increases penalties for unlawful taking or killing of wildlife

Posted on February 3, 2016 by BJ

VOTE:NO Passed SUMMARY: Adds black bear and cougar to list of penalties for unlawful taking or killing of wildlife, increases other penalty fines, and adds Class A misdemeanor that includes “worry or disturb any wildlife” and Class C felony conviction that includes confiscation of properties. AMENDMENT A: Adds 180 day mandatory sentence for failure to comply with a citation. PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY: The adding of black…

SJR 201 repeals limits on property taxes

Posted on February 2, 2016 by BJ

VOTE:NO Died In Committee Status (cverview) of bill:https://olis.leg.state.or.us/liz/2016R1/Measures/Overview/SJR201 Summary: Amends the Oregon constitution by repealing the constitutional limits on property taxes, creating convoluted government mechanisms for adjusting real property valuation. Will significantly allow unrestricted increases for all property taxes, including local taxing districts, counties and cities. Fiscal Responsibility: Funds government at undetermined rates at the expense of public. Free…

SB 1532A Minimum wage increase

Posted on February 2, 2016 by BJ

VOTE:NO Passed Minimum wage bill passes Senate floor. Click to see who voted! Status (cverview) of bill:https://olis.leg.state.or.us/liz/2016R1/Measures/Overview/SB1532 SUMMARY FOR SB 1532A: Establishes tiered system base on geographical location of employer. Establishes annual increase to base minimum wage rate until July 1, 2023 when inflation based rates resume. Employers within Portland's urban growth boundary will pay a higher rate. Allows employers…

SB 1530A Federal agencies to determine, state and federal mining programs can be better coordinated

Posted on February 2, 2016 by BJ

VOTE: NO Died In Committee Status (overview) of bill: https://olis.leg.state.or.us/liz/2016R1/Measures/Overview/SB1530 SB 1530 Requires certain state agencies to consult with certain federal agencies to determine whether state and federal mining programs can be better coordinated. Summary: This bill will further eliminate Oregon’s small-scale mining industry and negatively affect the economies of Oregon’s rural communities. Fiscal Responsibility: Increases burdens on state funds…

SB 1563A New loan program for septic systems

Posted on February 2, 2016 by BJ

SB 1563A VOTE: NO Passed Status (overview) of bill: https://olis.leg.state.or.us/liz/2016R1/Measures/Overview/SB1563 SB 1563 Authorizes Environmental Quality Commission to develop low-interest loan program for on-site septic system repairs, replacements, upgrades or evaluations. Declares emergency. PERSONAL CHOICE: Makes loans more accessible for repair or replacement of septic systems. FREE MARKET: The participating lenders must agree to subordinate their liens to the borrowers’ consensual…

SB 1548 expedited boundary expansion for housing

Posted on February 1, 2016 by BJ

VOTE: YES In Committee Upon Adjournment Status (overview) of bill: https://olis.leg.state.or.us/liz/2016R1/Measures/Overview/SB1548# This bill authorizes local governments to expedite expanding urban growth boundary to adjacent land when dedicated to housing resolving a need that meets certain requirements. Personal Choice Providing housing choices in areas where available housing is less than 6% of what is needed. Landowners must agree 100%…

SB 1547 B Ceases Electric Utilities From Acquiring Electricity From Coal-Fired Plants

HB 4146C Increases Lodging Tax

HB 4004 Removes Jason Lee statue from DC

HB 4012 Dam removal monitoring projects and funding

HB 4073A adds secular organizations to solemnize marriages

HB 4127 Redefines marriage

HB 4011A Reclassifies OR State Hospital employees as police

SB 1582 Fast Track Housing Program for affordable housing

SB 1510B TriMet Taxes

HB 4037 Directs Oregon Business Development Department to establish incentivize solar energy program.

HB 4006 Establishes Task Force on Economic Development

SB 1521 Excise tax on employees

HB 4119 Supports School Choice

SB 1509 Modifies public purpose charges on electric bills.

HB 4126 amendments of urban growth boundaries

SJR 203 Constitutional Change to State Board of Education

HB 4031: Implements Program to Decrease Rates of School Absenteeism

HB 4036A Clean Electricity and Coal Transition bill

SB 1536 Modifies Compensation to Non-Virtual, Public Charter Schools

HB 4046B Increases penalties for unlawful taking or killing of wildlife

SJR 201 repeals limits on property taxes

SB 1532A Minimum wage increase

SB 1530A Federal agencies to determine, state and federal mining programs can be better coordinated

SB 1563A New loan program for septic systems

SB 1548 expedited boundary expansion for housing

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