At the Legislature: Bills in Week 2 of the Presession

There was actually some movement at the Legislature last week.  A few bills were even referred to committee, all on the Senate side.  And commenters on last week's note pointed out a few new bills to follow.

Here's an update on the first group of bike- and relevant tranportation-related bills:

•  House Joint Resolution 9 -"Proposes amendment to Oregon Constitution to allow revenue from taxes on motor vehicle fuel and ownership, operation or use of motor vehicles to be used for transportation projects that will prevent or reduce pollution and congestion created by use of motor vehicles."  Already had first reading on the 14th, and it awaits a referral to committee.
• The first CRC bill, House Bill 2260 would declare "that it is in state’s interest to undertake Interstate 5 bridge replacement program. Enacts provisions relating to tolls for program. Specifies borrowing authority of Department of Transportation for program." This isn't specifically about bikes, of course, but the CRC has tremendous implications for the Salem River Crossing and all state transportation projects, as its budget would have cascading effects on the budget for other projects.  First reading on the 14th and  awaits a referral to committee.
• House Bill 2453 - "Requires persons operating certain high-mileage motor vehicles to pay per-mile road usage charge or flat annual road usage charge."  First reading on the 14th and  awaits a referral to committee.
• House Bill 2500 looks to expand the "types of costs that qualify as approved transportation costs for purposes of State School Fund distributions."  These would include "Expenditures made to improve  safety for students traveling to school by means that are not provided by the school district and that:
  (i) Include walking or using a bicycle, scooter, skateboard or similar device..."  First reading on the 14th and  awaits a referral to committee.
• Senate Bill 9 filed by Senator Courtney would "increase the penalty [for using a cel phone while driving] from a Class D violation to a Class B violation, which means the maximum fine would increase from $250 to $1,000. The minimum fine would increase from $60 to $130." After first reading it was assigned to the Judiciary Committee.
• Senate Bill 247 would use lottery funds and creates an "Alternative Mode Transportation Fund. Requires that nine percent of net proceeds from Oregon State Lottery be deposited in Multimodal Transportation Fund, and that nine percent of net proceeds be deposited in Alternative Mode Transportation Fund. Continuously appropriates moneys in Alternative Mode Transportation Fund to Department of Transportation. Provides that moneys may only be used for capital improvements and operational costs of mass transit, passenger rail, bicycle and pedestrian projects."  After first reading it was referred to Business and Transportation, then Ways and Means Committee.
• Senate Bill 332 would establish a "Task  Force  on  Bicycle  Safety."  Senator Jackie Winters proposed this, and the bill as introduced is mostly procedural and otherwise content-free at the moment.  After first reading it was referred to Business and Transportation, then Ways and Means Committee.

And again, do you know of other transportation and especially bicycle-related bills to follow?

The regular session kicks off on February 4th and all of this year's legislative updates are tagged 2013 Legislative Session.