Whereas the Oregon Legislature received’t formally convene till subsequent Tuesday (January seventeenth), the payments we’ll be speaking about within the months to come back at the moment are obtainable for perusal. Whereas solely a really tiny fraction of payments which are launched really turn out to be regulation, it’s value figuring out what will get proposed. If nothing else these payments can provide us some hope (or dread), and so they reveal one thing concerning the lawmaker(s) behind them.
There are a number of very intriguing payments session. Some are critical, some are much less so, however they’re all truthful recreation at this level because the sausage-making machine begins to whir. We’ve flagged payments that will: repeal Oregon’s latest parking reforms, repeal the “Idaho Cease” regulation, create a statewide bicycle registration program, switch Powell Blvd from ODOT to the Metropolis of Portland, create a tax on EV charging, make “sleeping in a freeway hazard zone” a visitors violation, and extra.
Beneath is a roundup and transient description of the 21 payments we’ve flagged to date. We can have missed some, so please, when you hear a few bike and/or transportation-related invoice, please tell us and we’ll add it to our watch checklist.
Right here’s the checklist in numerical order:
Senate Joint Decision (SJR) 2 (Overview)
Sponsor: Sen. Chris Gorsek (D-25)
Official Abstract: “Proposes modification to Oregon Structure to authorize use of motor vehicle-related tax income for infrastructure that reduces visitors burden of, or air pollution from, motor autos on public roads on this state.”
This can be a very thrilling proposal that will lastly amend Article IX, Part 3a of our state structure so that cash we elevate from taxes and charges on automobiles and vans will be spent on issues aside from tasks that encourage extra use of automobiles and vans. The prevailing restriction wields huge affect over insurance policies and tasks and this might be a game-changer. Sen. Gorsek desires the constitutional modification to be put in entrance of voters within the 2024 basic election.
Senate Invoice 301 (Overview)
Sponsor: Sen. Kim Thatcher (R-11)
Official Abstract: “Gives that individual working bicycle might not deal with cease indicators and flashing pink lights as yield indicators if bicyclist slows bicycle to secure pace.”
Appears to be like as if somebody dislikes the “gradual, then go” (a.ok.a. Idaho Cease) regulation Oregon handed in 2019 a lot they wish to repeal it utterly. This invoice was filed on behalf of a selected individual (David Samuel Hill) in what what lawmakers will typically name a “constituent invoice.” That would imply it’s not a lot of a precedence for Sen. Thatcher and he or she’s simply doing it to fulfill a constituent request. The present regulation permits bicycle customers to deal with cease indicators and flashing pink indicators as yield indicators, so long as they first gradual and ensure there’s no cross visitors. Although this isn’t prone to make a lot noise through the session, it’s attention-grabbing to see that somebody cares sufficient to make this effort and there’s a lawmaker keen to associate with them.
SB 580 (Overview)
Sponsor: Sen. Floyd Prozanksi (D-4)
Official Abstract: “Requires Land Conservation and Improvement Fee to amend statewide planning objectives to handle fairness, engagement with underserved populations and local weather change.”
Again in July, the Oregon Land Conservation and Improvement Fee voted in what advocates known as “the most important rollback of parking mandates in U.S. historical past.” The brand new regulation, that went into impact on January 1st, offers Oregon’s largest cities the flexibility to develop land with out a requirement to incorporate automotive parking stalls. Supporters of the concept say it’s a option to enhance housing provide, and create extra climate-friendly communities. However the cities of Springfield, Medford, Hillsboro, Cornelius, Completely happy Valley, and Troutdale; together with the nonprofit foyer group League of Oregon Cities, isn’t fairly prepared for the change. They’re the entities who’ve requested Sen. Prozanski to delay implementation of the brand new legal guidelines till a number of amendments will be made. Portlanders for Parking Reform chief Tony Jordan has wasted no time sharing his opinion about it: “SB 580 would reinstate hurdles to fixing robust issues. Let’s crush it.”
SB 598 (Overview)
Sponsor: Sen. Kathleen Taylor (D-21)
Official Abstract: “Transfers jurisdiction of Southeast Powell Boulevard to Metropolis of Portland.”
Sen. Taylor has children who attend Cleveland Excessive College and he or she was the (extremely engaged) emcee of the Powell Blvd Security Discussion board held at the highschool again in October. The invoice would power ODOT and PBOT to hammer out a deal to make the switch and would cowl the stretch of Powell from Southeast ninth Avenue to I-205.
SB 693 (Overview)
Sponsor: Sen. James Manning (D-7)
Official Abstract: “Establishes voluntary bicycle registration program. Units registration, switch of possession, change of handle and different charges. Establishes Bicycle Transportation Enchancment Fund. Makes bicycle possession data obtainable to regulation enforcement businesses.”
Right here we go once more. Sen. Manning has filed this invoice on behalf of a constituent named Zach Mulholland. It’s unclear why he thinks this is able to be a good suggestion, however the proposal is to ascertain a voluntary bicycle registration program run by the State of Oregon. Maybe Mr. Mulholland thinks this is able to assist with bike theft? Or he thinks it will be a great way to boost cash? The invoice would require folks to pay $12 for a registration certificates, $3 for a serial quantity, $3 if the registrant modifications handle, and $6 if the bike transfers possession. Proposals for obligatory registration have gone down in flames not less than twice prior to now — as soon as in 2009 and once more in 2015 — so perhaps he thinks making this voluntary would be the trick. Not going! I’ll eat my biking cap if this even will get a committee listening to.
SB 719 (Overview)
Sponsor: Sen. Fred Girod (R-9)
Official Abstract: “Defines phrases utilized in Article IX, part 16, of Oregon Structure. Modifies regulation associated to tolling to evolve with enactment of Article IX, part 16, of Oregon Structure. Takes impact provided that _____ Joint Decision __ (2023) (LC 156) is accredited by folks at subsequent common basic election.”
This seems to be an try and put a pause on all of ODOT’s current plans to toll freeways (which had been granted to them in 2017) till the problem will be despatched out to a public vote by way of a referendum in November 2024.
Home Invoice 2095 (Overview)
Sponsor: On the request of Joint Committee on Transportation for League of Oregon Cities
Official Abstract: “Authorizes all cities to elect to function photograph radar if metropolis pays prices of working photograph radar. Eliminates restriction on variety of hours per day photograph radar could also be utilized in anyone location. Expands authority of metropolis to set designated pace for sure residential streets to hurry that’s as much as 10 miles per hour decrease than statutory pace, however not lower than 20 miles per hour.”
This invoice would increase the authority to make use of photograph radar cameras to each metropolis in Oregon (at the moment it’s restricted to simply 10 cities) and increase their scope usually. It will additionally give cities the authority to decrease pace limits 10 mph under statutory speeds (like college zones and enterprise zones) as a substitute of the present 5 mph.
HB 2101 (Overview)
Sponsor: Joint Transportation Committee at request of Oregon Affiliation of Counties
Official Abstract: “Directs Division of Transportation to ascertain native transportation program to supply state funding in trade for federal floor transportation funding obtainable to cities and counties.”
This seems to be an try by foyer group Oregon Affiliation of Counties to trade federal transportation funding for state funding to allow them to ensure that it abides by Article IX part 3a of the Oregon Structure which states that sure state transportation funds can solely be spent “completely for the development, reconstruction, enchancment, restore, upkeep, operation and use of public highways, roads, streets and roadside relaxation areas on this state.”
Home Invoice 2301 (Overview)
Sponsor: Rep. Rick Lewis (R-18)
Official Abstract: “Imposes tax on use of electrical energy to cost battery of electrical car at price equal to price of license tax imposed on first sale, use or distribution of motorcar gasoline.”
This detailed proposal would create a wholly new state program to manage and implement a tax on EV charging that, if unpaid, can be punishable by a 12 months in jail or a $6,250 advantageous.
Home Invoice 2518 (Overview)
Sponsor: Rep. Pam Marsh (D-5)
Official Abstract: “Expands visitors offense of pedestrian with improper place upon or improperly continuing alongside a freeway to incorporate prohibiting pedestrian on interstate highways. Expands visitors offense of pedestrian with improper place upon or improperly continuing alongside a freeway to incorporate prohibiting pedestrian on interstate highways. Punishes violation by most advantageous of $250.”
This invoice would add the phrases, “Takes a place upon or proceeds alongside an interstate freeway” to the Oregon Revised Statute 814.070. That statute is what defines all of the circumstances the place a pedestrian will be discovered liable of being in an unlawful location/place on a public highway. The one factor I can consider that will immediate Rep. Marsh to suggest that is the rising quantity of people that dwell close to interstate freeways and who stroll on and adjoining to them in consequence. In some methods one of these pondering may be very a lot consistent with how Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler moved to ban tenting on freeway on-ramps again in February.
HB 2571 (Overview)
Sponsors: Rep. Dacia Grayber (D-28), Rep. Mark Gamba (D-41)
Official Abstract: “Directs Division of Environmental High quality to ascertain program for offering rebates to qualifying people who buy electrical assisted bicycles or cargo electrical bicycles and qualifying tools.”
That is the invoice we first coated again in November that will give purchasers of electrical bikes a wholesome rebate proper on the level of sale — as much as $1,200 for the standard bike or $1,700 for a cargo bike. The invoice additionally asks for a $6 million out of the state’s basic fund to pay for the rebates below a program run by the Division of Environmental High quality. This invoice would harken in a brand new period of bicycling for Oregon, stimulate tens of millions of {dollars} in native economies from bike store gross sales, and assist us obtain a myriad of local weather, transportation, and health-related objectives.
HB 2619 (Overview)
Sponsors: Rep. Khanh Pham (D-46), Rep. Maxine Dexter (D-33), Sen. Wlnsvey Campos (D-18)
Official Abstract: “Modifies membership of Oregon Transportation Fee. Directs Governor to nominate government director for fee.”
This might be an enormous one. It seems that Rep. Pham has heeded years of calls from transportation reformers to reform the OTC and make it extra accountable to Oregonians. The OTC is a five-member physique that oversees ODOT and wields immense affect over the state’s transportation finances, tasks, and insurance policies. This invoice would lastly power the governor to nominate a extra consultant roster, together with not less than one member who’s youthful than 25 (a high demand of youth local weather activists), one who will get round with out automotive, one who has a incapacity, one who can symbolize Oregon Indian tribes, and so forth. The invoice additionally seeks the appointment of an OTC government director to handle and oversee the fee, in addition to different accountability measures. A extra responsive and consultant OTC is lengthy overdue and this invoice looks as if an excellent step ahead.
HB 2658 (Overview)
Sponsor: Rep. Mark Gamba (D-41)
Official Abstract: “Directs Division of Transportation to find out carbon emissions of motor autos and impose further registration payment based mostly on relative car carbon emissions.”
This novel idea would add a brand new payment onto automotive and truck house owners based mostly on how a lot carbon their car emits, then use income raised to create a brand new Transportation Modernization Grant Fund that will spend money on, “tasks designed to cut back carbon or different greenhouse gasoline emissions from motor autos.”
HB 2662 (Overview)
Sponsor: Rep. Courtney Neron (D-26)
Official Abstract: “Requires Division of Transportation, in collaboration with Tri-Met and Portland & Western Railroad to review extending Westside Categorical Service commuter line to Salem.”
Uncommon to see help for the WES, TriMet’s heavy rail commuter prepare that we hardly hear about and that has been roundly criticized for low ridership.
HB 2677 (Overview)
Sponsors: Rep. Khanh Pham (D-46), Sen. Wlnsvey Campos (D-18)
Official Abstract: “Requires Division of Transportation to supply funding plan for freeway upkeep when transportation venture that provides lane miles is added to STIP.”
Rep. Pham is a famous freeway enlargement critic and this seems to be a novel manner of forcing ODOT into being extra clear about how a lot it prices so as to add lanes to Oregon interstates. The invoice would create a brand new regulation requiring ODOT to element how they’d fund upkeep of latest freeway lanes with out robbing current the freeway upkeep finances. This could add heft to rising calls that ODOT stops spending cash on new freeway lanes till they make investments extra on harmful orphan highways like Powell Blvd.
HB 2691 (Overview)
Sponsors: Rep. Nancy Nathanson (D-13), Sen. Chris Gorsek (D-25)
Official Abstract: “Gives that any settlement associated to offering ultra-high-speed floor transportation on this state should embody service to Eugene. Prohibits Division of Transportation from expending in any biennium greater than 50 p.c, or $1 million, whichever is much less, of moneys obtainable to division for passenger rail service, on ultra-high-speed floor transportation.”
With excessive pace rail talks constructing steam, it appears like these legislators wish to trigger a delay. It appears odd to suggest a invoice that concurrently limits funding in excessive pace rail, however then additionally desires to ensure if it does occur, it makes it to Eugene. Could be ironic if we had a excessive pace rail venture on the desk that deliberate to go to Eugene, however didn’t have sufficient funding to get there. In fact at this stage of the sport, these payments can take wildly new types (what they name a “intestine and stuff”) so this might simply be a placeholder for different excessive pace rail-related concepts.
HB 2838 (Overview)
Sponsor: Rep. Paul Evans (D-20)
Official Abstract: “Creates offense of sleeping in freeway hazard zone.”
Rep. Evans desires to create a brand new visitors violation that might be utilized to an individual caught sleeping on the bottom inside 10 toes of the skin edge or curb of any roadway in Oregon between sundown and dawn. Violators can be topic to a $100 advantageous.
HB 2951 (Overview)
Sponsors: Rep. Courtney Neron (D-26), Rep. Ricki Ruiz (D-50)
Official Abstract: “Directs Division of Transportation to ascertain program for awarding grants to suppliers of visitors security training programs to fund Spanish language visitors security training programs.”
HB 3016 (Overview)
Sponsors: Rep. Khanh Pham (D-46), Senator Michael Dembrow (D-23), Rep. Mark Gamba (D-41)
Official Abstract: “Establishes Group Inexperienced Infrastructure Grant Program. Establishes Group Inexperienced Infrastructure Fund.”
This invoice would outline a “neighborhood inexperienced infrastructure venture” as one thing that, “supplies social, environmental or financial advantages to a selected neighborhood and is developed by way of a collaborative course of that helps outline these advantages.” It will additionally create a grant funding program (with no monetary dedication but), a committee to supervise the grants, and it requires a statewide tree cover evaluation software.
HB 3036 (Overview)
Sponsor: Rep. Courtney Neron (D-26)
Official Abstract: “Permits training supplier to function video recording system for goal of recording individuals who fail to cease for bus security lights.”
This invoice was filed on the request of one among Rep. Neron’s constituents (Sean Sype) and has some very notable co-sponsors in Rep. Pham, Rep. Zach Hudson (D-49), Joint Transportation Committee chief Rep. Susan McLain (D-29) and Sen. Lew Frederick (D-33). It will give colleges the choice of putting in video cameras on the swing-arm of faculty buses that shows a cease signal. These arms are deployed when college students are being let off the bus and the car’s rear indicators are flashing. It’s already Oregon regulation to not go a bus on this state of affairs; however far too many highway customers do anyhow. These cameras would act very like pink mild cameras and would ship a quotation to suspected violators. Sadly the invoice textual content at the moment says a police officer should assessment the digital camera footage once we know that’s been a significant drawback for the Metropolis of Portland’s program. Maybe they’ll exchange “police officer” with “duly licensed visitors enforcement agent.” Any income raised would go into a brand new fund managed by the Division of Training.
HB 3104 (Overview)
Sponsors: Rep. Khanh Pham (D-46), Rep. Courtney Neron (D-26), Rep. Hoa Nguyen (D-48), Rep. Mark Gamba (D-41), Rep. Rob Nosse (D-42)
Official Abstract: “Directs State Board of Training to undertake guidelines that permit for reimbursement of faculty district bills incurred in lieu of transporting college students.”
This intriguing invoice appears to be a option to give college districts extra flexibility in how they spend college transportation {dollars}. It will give district directors the flexibility to hunt a reimbursements from the state for any prices they might have in any other case spent on transportation (which is generally buses). If I’m studying it proper, that is invoice that tries encourage extra bike buses just like the very profitable one at Alameda Elementary College in Portland. Districts can use the reimbursements from bus transportation and as a substitute spend it on issues like public transit passes, “pedestrian or bicycle group leaders” and selling different transportation choices.
The following step for these payments is to await committee assignments (see the total strategy of how a invoice turns into regulation within the graphic above). Then they’ll must earn a public listening to and a vote in committee. There are deadlines for all these steps and as time goes on we’ll uncover which of those — if any — has the momentum and help it takes to achieve the end line.
We are going to seemingly add extra payments to this checklist. Please tell us when you discover others we must always learn about. We hope to have numerous thrilling, transportation-related payments to cowl and debate this session — and optimistically a couple of of the great ones will really go (and the dangerous ones will die).
You probably have questions or suggestions about this website or my work, be happy to contact me at @jonathan_maus on Twitter, by way of e mail at maus.jonathan@gmail.com, or telephone/textual content at 503-706-8804. Additionally, when you learn and admire this website, please turn out to be a supporter.
