SALEM -- You might call it a detour. But it's looking more like a crash.
Legislation reserving the left lane for passing-only on higher-speed state highways and interstates failed late Tuesday during what was supposed to be its final House vote -- leaving its fate uncertain as lawmakers look to finish their business by the end of this week.
House Bill 3414 passed the Senate 23-6 on Monday, seemingly on cruise control to Gov. Kate Brown's desk. It would see Oregon join dozens of other states in targeting so-called "left-lane hogs," drivers who camp out in the far-left lane and bottle up speedier traffic.
But when House members were asked to agree on the Senate's amendments -- which made clear the law would apply only to roads where the speed limit is 55 mph or higher -- the measure initially fell two votes shy of the 31-vote majority needed for approval.
The rare public defeat -- bills without support rarely make it to floor votes -- came soon after Rep. Jeff Barker, D-Aloha, spoke against the measure, arguing it would confuse both drivers and the Oregon State Police officers who'd be asked to enforce it.
Four Republicans and one Democrat who'd supported the bill the first time it went through the House, 33-26, back in April, voted no this time around. That swamped two naysayers, one Democrat and one Republican, who switched their original votes to yes.
HB 3414 remains alive, but barely. House Majority Leader Val Hoyle, D-Eugene, switched her yes vote to a no vote, giving her the right to call for a reconsideration.
Two Democrats were excused, Rep. Mitch Greenlick of Portland and Rep. Chris Gorsek of Troutdale, providing potential wiggle room during a do-over. Gorsek was excused the first time the bill came up, while Greenlick was a supporter.
Assuming no one else switches, and both of the absent members are willing to give their support, freshman Rep. Ken Helm, D-Beaverton, might get the same chance to celebrate as his counterpart in the Senate, Ginny Burdick D-Portland, had Monday.
He said the bill came back to the floor sooner than he anticipated, and he thanked Hoyle for stepping in to save the measure.
"It still has a chance," he said.
-- Denis C. Theriault
503-221-8430; @TheriaultPDX