Legislative Update - Week 10: Stops & Yields

Another Whoo-boy week! This time it was the proposed bicycle yield law. As usual, Bikeportland has extensive coverage! Here's an article on the way it is appearing in the media. Here's liveblogging from the hearing on Wednesday. More thoughts on the media reception. And a story on its recovery and a scheduled work session.

Rep. Vicki Berger is one of the members of the Transportation Committee, and during the hearing she indicated she had some questions about the legislation. Consider contacting her by email (rep.vickiberger@state.or.us) or by phone (503-986-1420) if you support the bill.

Update - On Monday Rep. Berger will have the following schedule to meet with constituents!
Monmouth: 7:30 a.m., Rick's Place, 123 S. Main St.
Independence: 11:30 a.m., Independence Library, 175 Monmouth St.
South Salem: 2 p.m., Courthouse Athletic Club, 2795 River Road S.
West Salem: 5 p.m., Courthouse Athletic Club, 300 Glen Creek Road NW.

In New Business:
Working with the BTA, the widow of Tim O'Donnell, Mary, introduced House Bill 3399, legislation that would create the crime of "vehicular homicide."

Here's more on the initial press conference announcing the proposed legislation last summer.

Old Business:
Senate Bill 267 - no change
Senate Bill 276 - no change
Senate Bill 291 - no change
Senate Bill 292 - no change
Senate Bill 635 - no change

House Bill 2106 - no change
House Bill 2120 - no change (but there must be more hearings scheduled)
House Bill 2681 - Work Session, March 25
House Bill 2690 - Work Session for some point in April, as I understand it
House Bill 2902 - no change
House Bill 2946 - There was a Hearing on the 19th...I missed this.
House Bill 2971 - Hearing, March 25
House Bill 3008 - no change
House Bill 3137 - Referred to Transportation Committee
House Bill 3164 - Referred to Revenue Committee
House Bill 3399 - Referred to Ways and Means Committee; Hearing and Work Session scheduled for March 31 (details not yet available online).

Transportation Committee Hearing Details:
Date: Wednesday-March 25
Time: 1:00 P.M.
Room: HR D

Public Hearing
HB 2971 Increases allocation of State Highway Fund moneys for footpaths and bicycle trails.
HB 2817 (unrelated to bicycling)

Work Session
HB 2040 (unrelated to bicycling)
HB 2681 Adds green, yellow and red bicycle signals to list of traffic control devices.

Staff respectfully requests that you submit 25 collated copies of written materials at the time of your testimony. Persons making presentations including the use of video, DVD, PowerPoint or overhead projection equipment are asked to contact committee staff 24 hours prior to the meeting.