Oregon Business Association

May 7, 2009

Legislative Update: Good Government

At the beginning of the year, OBA released its 2009 Legislative Agenda outlining the policy priorities established by our six member-driven policy committees; Good Government, Business & Finance, Education, Environment, Health Policy and Transportation. 

Below is the first of six mid-session updates on our efforts to advocate OBA priorities in Salem.

GOOD GOVERNMENT - LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIES

OBA Priority I: Reform Oregon's Initiative Process

Mid-Session Report: OBA organized a broad coalition of business, labor and good government groups interested in initiative reform.  The Initiative Reform Coalition's goal was to put forth a meaningful package of initiative reform bills.  The package contains three main components:

1.  HB 2500 -  A measure aimed at reducing fraud in the signature gathering process. We will be adding our voice of support as the bill goes to the House floor next week. There is broad support for HB 2005 and it is expected to have success on the Senate side as well.

2.  HB 2941 - A bill to limit the practice of "Ballot Title Shopping." HB 2941 is moving in the House Rules Committee.  The bill, sponsored by Representative Chris Garrett, D-Lake Oswego, will direct the Attorney General to provide identical draft ballot titles for state measures to be initiated if the Attorney General determines two or more state measures to be substantially similar.  OBA supports this bill and has been working to ensure its passage.

3.  HJR17/SJR11 - OBA also worked with Senator Frank Morse, R-Albany and Representative Larry Galizio, D-Tigard to advance the concept of the indirect initiative.  The bills had public hearings in their respective chambers’ Rules committees.  While there was significant interest on the part of many legislators, the fact that an indirect initiative measure would require a Constitutional change and therefore a referral to the ballot has made legislators reluctant to advance either bill this session.

OBA Priority II: Modify the Oregon Tort Claims Act

Mid-Session Report: OBA provided testimony on SB 311, amending the Oregon Tort Claims Act to ensure the availability of vital public services while providing access to justice for Oregonians.  This bill is the product of the Oregon Tort Claims Act Task Force.  Resolution of this issue was a priority for OBA members, so we were grateful for the opportunity to lend our support as the bill worked its way through the Legislature.  The billed was signed by the Governor on April 15 with an effective date of July 1, 2009.

OBA Priority III: Institute Annual Sessions

Mid-Session Report: OBA continues to support a Constitutional change in order to provide for annual sessions.  The sponsor of SJR15, Senate President Peter Courtney, has decided not to move forward with this legislation because the legislature will almost certainly be in special session in February 2010 to deal with the budget and revenue fluctuations.