Legislative Update - Week 8 - Baseball is Back

I suppose we're in Giants territory a little here, but the Ms count, too. One of the great stories in spring training is Tom Wilhelmsen:

Now back in the game at age 27 and making a run at a bullpen spot for the Mariners, Wilhelmsen pedals to the club's training complex several miles each day on a bicycle.

"I ride whenever I can," the free-spirited reliever said. "Save the earth, save my body, save some money."

Lots of committee and lobby activity this week!

• Oregon Bicycle & Pedestrian Advisory Committee meets on Monday
• The Oregon Active Transportation Summit meets Tuesday and lobbies Wednesday
• The Oregon Scenic Bikeway Committee meets Thursday

What's new?

The personal car-sharing bill passed the House and a couple of hearings are scheduled for this week.

On the 14th, Salem City Council also referred HB 3150 back to the Legislative Committee (see minutes). Originally the Committee had opposed it. The reconsideration is welcome!

Bills Specifically about Bicycling

Senate Bill 130 for bicycle traffic lights. No change.

Senate Bill 415 would expand penalties for harming a vulnerable user of the road. Hearing and worksession scheduled for Wednesday, the 29th. It's an early one!

Tuesday-March 29
8:30 A.M.
Room: 343

Senate Bill 604 will be a gut-n-stuff. No change.

Senate Bill 660 would decrease the fines for stop sign violations on bike. No change.

Senate Bill 846 would regulate standards for bicycle trailers. Public hearing and possible worksession scheduled for Thursday, March 31st.

Thursday-March 31
3:00 P.M.
Room: HR B

House Bill 2331 to study bicycle licensing. Referred to Ways and Means. No change.

House Bill 2332 would create a weight-based schedule of traffic fines. No change.

House Bill 2824, creating the crime of altering or removing a stolen bike's serial number. No change.

Relevant to Transportation Generally

Senate Bill 160, the prohibition on lap dogs while driving, would "create offense of driver operation with obstructing animal." No change

Senate Bill 266 on electronic tolling. No change.

Senate Bill 344 (unchanged) and House Bill 3150 (engrossed with amendments) would permit local jurisdictions to enact a 20mph speed limit on neighborhood streets. No change.

House Bill 2166 would authorize lottery funds "for transportation projects funded from Multimodal Transportation Fund." No change.

House Bill 2333 prohibiting studded tires. No change.

House Bill 2437 on school busing. No change.

House Bill 3149 on personal car-sharing. Passed the House 47-10, on to Senate.

House Bill 3178 looks like it would encourage transit-oriented development to be funded by tax-increment financing. No change.

House Bill 3186, co-sponsored by Representative Berger, would eliminate the jobs loophole on the texting and cel phone ban. No change.

Proposed Oregon Constitutional Amendment to permit gas taxes to be used for pollution control and congestion reduction. No change.

Dead or Moribund Bills

House Bill 2228 prohibits bike transportation of child under 6 years old.

House Bill 2602, the headphone ban.