Dem's Say Special Session Led to Strong Accomplishments

February 25, 2008

OREGON LEGISLATURE
House Majority Office

Press Release: Feb. 25, 2008

House Democrats Say Special Session Led to Strong Accomplishments

SALEM – From protecting seniors and children to 24-7 State Trooper coverage, aiding families facing foreclosure and help for victims of the recent coastal floods, Oregon House Democrats passed critical legislation during the February session, meeting or exceeding all of its promises in the Road Map to Oregon’s future. House Majority Leader Dave Hunt said the February session offered legislators the chance to address a number of critical issues that arose since the last session.

“I congratulate members of the House for their outstanding work during these past three weeks,” said Rep. Hunt. “We came into session with urgent problems to solve for the citizens of Oregon. We handled them efficiently and we got done well before schedule. I call that a great success.”
Some of the key bills passed by Oregon House Democrats include:

For Seniors:
�� SB 1061 requiring development of a comprehensive plan for long term senior care.
�� A $12.2 million budget allocation to improve access to adult foster home care, assisted living centers, relative care and in-home care such as Oregon Project Independence.
For Children:
�� HB 3631 requiring retailers to remove unsafe and recalled toys from their shelves.
�� SB 5556 allocated $500,000 for community health care delivery grants aimed at test projects to expand access to health care for children.
�� SB 5556 also retained 136 case manager positions and 78 social service assistants to protect children in foster care ($7.3 million).
�� SB 1066 authorizing up to $350,000 from the State School Fund to be used to improve Talented and Gifted Education (TAG) programs.

For Homeowners:
�� HB 3630 making changes to foreclosure laws allowing for more complete notification to homeowners facing foreclosure, ending “rescue mortgage scams and placing restrictions on both foreclosure consultants and “equity purchasers.”
�� SB 1064 placing restrictions on mortgage loan originators and requiring mortgage bankers and brokers to file an annual report concerning their activities.
�� HB 3603 placing limits on prepayment penalties and requiring full disclosure of yield spread premium fees (passed House, in Senate upon adjournment)

For Victims of Disasters:
�� HB 3605 giving the Governor authority to disallow insurance companies from cancelling insurance policies following a natural disaster.
�� HB 3606 allowing the state to waive a one-week waiting period to provide unemployment benefits to people who lost their jobs due to natural disasters (also depends on federal waiver).
�� HB 3608 allowing for the state to participate in the Pacific Northwest Emergency Management Arrangement along with State of Washington, Idaho and Alaska, the province of British Columbia and the Yukon Government.
�� A budget allocation of $500,000 to help local governments with disaster loans to aid in the rebuilding of communities suffering natural disasters.

For Public Safety:
�� Following the approval of 100 State Trooper positions last session, the House approved a budget allocation of $485,000 and position authority to allow Oregon State Police to continue hiring troopers to get to 24-7 coverage on Oregon highways as quickly as possible.
�� SB 1087 increasing penalties for people convicted of various property and drug crimes, and authorizing increases in drug and alcohol treatment.
�� HB 3638 changing procedures for person in prison to be eligible for Alternative Incarceration Program; disallowing participation by people convicted of violent crimes and increasing participation by non-violent offenders.

For Agriculture:
�� HB 3618 allowing for an inheritance tax credit on small family farms, fishers and woodlots when the estate has been in natural resources production and the heirs continue to use the property in a similar way.
�� SB 1067 allowing for water storage projects across Oregon under the Agriculture and Community Water Act to explore opportunities to store water from the Columbia River, Umatilla Basin and other parts of Oregon.
�� HB 3601 establishing a position in the Department of Education to work with schools, local farmers and the Oregon Agriculture Department to establish the Oregon Farm-To-School Garden Program to aid in getting local produce into local schools for student meals.
�� HB 3629 authorizes counties to approve lot line adjustments when both property owners agree and the adjustment is not being done to allow for a new home to be built.
For Business:
�� HB 3619 expands a highly popular program from last legislative session by increasing the amount of credit offered from $20 million to $40 million for those businesses involved in environmentally sound energy manufacturing.
�� SB 1067 allowing for water storage projects across Oregon under the Agriculture and Community Water Act to explore opportunities to store water from the Columbia River, Umatilla Basin and other parts of Oregon.
�� HB 3619 also expands the Oregon Affordable Housing Lenders Credit by $4 million to preserve and increase the state’s investment in affordable housing. In addition, SB 5556 also seeded a revolving loan fund with $2 million to retain affordable rental housing.
�� A capital construction bill includes funding for expansions at the Oregon Institute of Technology and Clatsop Community College which will result in new construction jobs and expanded opportunities for Oregon students.
For the Environment:
�� HB 3612 requiring state agencies to reduce energy usage in agency owned facilities by 20% by the year 2015.

For Improved Government Accountability:
�� SB 1099 establishing the Committee on Performance Excellence to make recommendations to the Legislature and the Governor on ways to improve state agency performance.

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