HB 4007 – requires children under 16 to wear helmets when riding e-bikes and e-scooters, and create a pilot program allowing truckers to haul heavier loads of milk.
The regulation of micromobility devices is a key safety measure for communities. The ability of local governments to provide regulations about the time, place, and manner in which micromobility devices are used will support safety. However, some areas may not be a good fit for any use of these devices (streets with inadequate pedestrian infrastructure, trails in nature preserves.)
[However, Rep. Evans’ ‘gut-and-stuff’ Amendment -23 would strip Oregon voters of the right to vote on local government fuel tax increases even as Democrats work furiously to avoid voter wrath over a six-cent-per-gallon state fuel tax increase. The amendment to HB 4007 will be voted on in Monday’s work session, leaving the public out of the process to a hearing.]
State Rep. Paul Evans (D-Monmouth) said this morning during a House Transportation Committee meeting that he would not offer his amendment that would have eliminated Oregonians’ right to vote on city and county fuel tax hikes. Evans’s amendment was posted to the committee’s online agenda Friday afternoon for vote this morning. In announcing his change of heart, Evans pointed to social media posts and emails critical of the amendment. Oregon Roundup exclusively reported on the amendment hours after it posted Friday afternoon.
Oregon law currently requires a city or county to put a fuel tax increase to a vote of the people. That law was included as part of a six-cent-per-gallon fuel tax increase in 2009, to provide Oregonians assurance they would have input on local tax hikes as lawmakers asked for more state funds. [Read Oregon Roundup article]