CONFERENCE COMMITTEE ON HB 2483

June 18, 2001 Hearing Room B

11:30 AM Tapes 1 –2

MEMBERS PRESENT: Rep. Vic Backlund, Chair

Rep. Elaine Hopson

Rep. Bill Witt

Sen. Susan Castillo

Sen. David Nelson

Sen. Charles Starr

MEMBER EXCUSED:

STAFF PRESENT: Janet Adkins, Committee Administrator

Paula Merritt, Committee Assistant

MEASURE/ISSUES HEARD: HB 2483B Work Session

These minutes are in compliance with Senate and House Rules. Only text enclosed in quotation marks reports a speaker’s exact words. For complete contents, please refer to the tapes.

TAPE/#	Speaker	Comments
TAPE 1, A
004	Chair Backlund	Calls the committee to order at 11: 35 a.m. and opens a work session on HB 2483B.
HB 2483B WORK SESSION
005	Janet Adkins	Committee Administrator. Explains HB 2483B-12 amendments (EXHIBIT A). Submits list of Oregon School Activities on private school student participating in public school activities and policies (EXHIBIT B).
030	Chair Backlund	Comments on HB 2483B being well worked and explains the history behind the bill.
056	Rep. Witt	Asks about the work group, the A Engrossed bill and the discussions and asks Mr. Welter what his objection is now.
066	Tom Welter	Oregon School Activities Association (OSAA). Responds that the OSAA did not see the final language that came out of the work group.
077	Rep. Witt	Explains that this language was specifically addressed and members of OSAA were in attendance at that time.
079	Welter	Comments on the terms of “space available” and who defines this term
082	Rep. Witt	Responds that this was discussed in the work group and everyone was in favor of at that time. Reads from line 19, page 2.
100	Welter	Responds that there is concern with the word "may".
105	Rep. Witt	Asks Welter if the word "may" is objectionable.
106	Welter	Responds yes.
110	Rep. Witt	Comments on the assurances if the OSAA changed their policies.
120	Welter	Responds that is if it was based upon the assumption that we would change policies.
139	Rep. Witt	Comments that there would be no assurance if OSAA changed policies.
140	Sen. Castillo	Asks Welter if the OSAA has ad any complaints about current policies.
150	Welter	Responds no and explains that they have surveyed schools and from partial responses found that 162 students participated in public school activities.
174	Chair Backlund	States that the OSAA policy requires principals to agree.
180	Rep. Witt	Responds that OSAA did agree to this change.
195	Chair Backlund	Comments on the amendments in question and explains that OSAA indicated their concern over changing a practice. States that this policy was working.
229	Rep. Witt	Refers to activities endorsed by OSAA and says that this is a broad exception and could change. Comments that there is no protection for private school students.
250	Sen. Starr	States that he is in agreement with Rep. Witt and this could leave it open for future administrators to question.
189	Rep. Hopson	States that she is here to represent the public schools, taking the consideration of the private schools. Says she is supportive of the OSAA authority and supports the amendments.
213	Rep. Witt	Comments on home schooling students and asks about home school exceptions.
326	Adkins	References ORS 330.460.
336	Rep. Witt	Asks about exceptions that they can participate in.
	Adkins	Responds that there is not a similar exception.
346	Rep. Witt	Comments on setting up a special theme.
350	Welter	States that OSAA allows home school students to participate in private or public school activities. Explains that private schools are smaller in enrollment and activities.
396	Rep. Witt	Explains he has no disagreement with OSAA practices.
TAPE 2, A
003	Chair Backlund	Comments on private school students and believes that the -12 amendments will offer an opportunity to private school students and still allows OSAA to function as they always have.
018	Mark Seigel	Oregon Federation of Independent Schools. Comments on exclusion of activities and all students should have the opportunity.
056	Sen. Castillo	Comments on the senate floor discussion of this bill. Explains that the bill was altered as it sets before us now. Explains that there was not strong objection from OSAA at the time this was in other committee. Explains that parents have scrutiny in OSAA programs and they have a good record. States that she feels comfortable with the program and the version before us.
090	Rep. Witt	Explains the bill and how it was supported through the process.
119	Chair Backlund	Refers to page 1, line 8 and reads from the bill.
158	Rep. Witt	Explains that this is the same argument as on the house floor and explains that this issue has been dealt with.
160	Chair Backlund	Believes there should be an opportunity in public schools for private school students.
180	Rep. Hopson	MOTION: Moves to ADOPT HB 2483-B12 amendments dated 6/8/01.
188	Sen. Starr	Explains that he will oppose these amendments.
		VOTE: 3-3 AYE: 3 - Sen. Castillo, Rep. Hopson, Chair Rep. Backlund, NAY: 3 - Sen. Nelson, Sen. Starr, Rep. Witt
190	Chair Backlund	The motion FAILS.
200	Rep. Witt	Expresses interest in working on additional language
205	Chair Backlund	Adjourns committee at 12:23 p.m.

Submitted By, Reviewed By,

Paula Merritt, Janet Adkins,

Committee Assistant Committee Administrator

EXHIBIT SUMMARY

A – HB 2483B, -12 amendments, staff, 1 page

B - HB 2483B, OSAA lists, staff 3 pp.