In a new feature from the Oregon Capital Bureau News Team, we present a summary of new laws passed by the Oregon legislature that are not making the headlines but will affect Oregonians in several ways.
Editor’s Note: The Oregon Capital Bureau is launching a new weekly column – Dome Digest – to provide a round-up of bills that become law you may not have heard.
SALEM – These bills may not make the headlines, but could still make a difference to Oregonians. Each of these bills is heading next to Governor Kate Brown for his signature.
DON’T CHEER AT ME, BROTHER: House Bill 2519, which the Senate unanimously passed on Thursday, requires community colleges, colleges and universities in the state that offer bachelor’s degrees and accept state financial aid to pass a written hazing policy. Colleges and universities will need to provide policy training on hazing and report annually to lawmakers any incidents of hazing they investigate.
CLEANING OF THE CEMETERY: An unpleasant consequence of natural disasters, especially landslides, is that they can sometimes dislodge and expose people buried. Senate Bill 227 allows cemetery authorities to re-bury and temporarily store human remains that have been washed away by a storm or other natural disaster. The bill also requires these authorities to make efforts to inform relatives or other persons with the right to control the disposal of remains.
BATTERY ATTACK: House Bill 2089 makes people who have not fully repaid an outstanding payday loan or title loan ineligible for a new one. “If someone needed a loan of $ 600, they would just lend them $ 600,” said Senator Shemia Fagan, D-Portland, explaining that the proposal aims to prevent the “stacking” of multiple loans, which incur more costs and create financial risk.
DISC OFFER: House Bill 2353 creates penalties for government agencies that fail to comply with the Oregon Public Records Act. The bill gives district attorneys the power to order a public entity to pay the person requesting documents a fine of $ 200 if they determine that they are taking too long to respond to a request for documents and that the public entity is not entitled to an exemption. . The district attorney could also order the agency to waive or reduce fees otherwise charged for producing documents to the public.
START YOUR ENGINE: Fancy going out on a motorboat for a getaway this Memorial Day weekend? State laws restrict the use of electrically powered boats on certain lakes in Oregon. Bill 3168 would allow electrically powered boats on certain low-speed, wake-free lakes in Clackamas, Deschutes, Douglas, Hood River, Jackson, Jefferson, Lane, Linn and Marion counties. Here’s the catch: The bill won’t come into force until 90 days after lawmakers were adjourned in late June, putting your first possible motorboat adventure on these lakes in late September.
BREWERY ON THE FARM: Oregon’s land use laws state that only certain non-agricultural uses are permitted on land zoned for agriculture. In recent years, lawmakers have allowed wine and cider producers to brew and serve drinks on farms. SB 287 would allow small breweries of beer on hop farms.
MAIN PARTNERS: Have you practiced law in Oregon since the Johnson administration? Under Senate Bill 358, you may have to re-pay the annual bar dues. The Oregon State Bar is currently prohibited from charging dues to people admitted to the bar for 50 years or more, and this bill would lift that ban.
BLACK MATTER: Two years ago, a total eclipse brought tons of visitors to Oregon cities on the way to totality. In response to the frenzy, the Senate on Thursday passed Bill 2790, requested by Representative Brian Clem, D-Salem, to allow counties to require permits for “mass outdoor gatherings.” Speaking on the Senate floor Thursday, Sen. Cliff Bentz, R-Ontario, appeared upset by the influx of stargazers two summers ago.
“You may remember it several years ago, we had an eclipse,” Bentz said. “One of the results was that tens of thousands of people from the Willamette Valley invaded the previously pristine lands of eastern Oregon, wreaking havoc and worse. This bill is an attempt to give counties the power to better manage these gatherings and to charge adequate permit fees. “
“It’s a good bill. We all know what we went through with the eclipse (a) a few years ago, ”said Senate Republican Leader Herman Baertschiger, Jr., of Grants Pass. “The good news is that we probably won’t have to use this bill for 100 years.”
Reporter Claire Withycombe: [email protected] or 971-304-4148. Withycombe is a reporter for the East Oregonian and works for the Oregon Capital Bureau, a collaboration between EO Media Group, Pamplin Media Group and Salem Reporter.
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