HOUSE COMMITTEE ON GENERAL GOVERNMENT

March 4, 2003 Hearing Room D

8:30 AM Tapes 26 - 28

MEMBERS PRESENT: Rep. Jerry Krummel, Chair

Rep. Brad Avakian

Rep. Derrick Kitts

Rep. John Mabrey

Rep. Kelley Wirth

MEMBER EXCUSED: Rep. Donna Nelson, Vice-Chair

Rep. Floyd Prozanski, Vice-Chair

STAFF PRESENT: Patrick Brennan, Committee Administrator

Jeana Harrington, Committee Assistant

MEASURE/ISSUES HEARD: HB 2667 – Public Hearing

HB 2676 – Public Hearing

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 26, A
004	Chair Krummel	Calls meeting to order at 8:38 AM. Opens public hearing on HB 2667.
HB 2667 PUBLIC HEARING
010	Sen. Charlie Ringo	Senate District 17. Testifies in favor of HB 2667 (EXHIBIT A). Expresses frustration with the issue. Shows the efforts made to resolve the issue (EXHIBIT B). Disagrees with the viewpoint that a workgroup should be made.
090	Rep. Kitts	Refers to EXHIBIT A and asks about the dates of correspondence.
099	Sen. Ringo	Comments.
102	Rep. Kitts	Clarifies it has been two years since correspondence began.
107	Sen. Ringo	Affirms.
109	Chair Krummel	Asks if Washington County licenses taxis.
112	Sen. Ringo	Responds he believes they do, but that it is not strictly enforced.
130	Stella Kasyan	Testifies for her father, Aleksey Kasyan in favor of HB 2667 (EXHIBIT C).
151	Rep. Nelson	Commends Ms. Kasyan on the testimony. Asks if there is a difference in fares that is charged by the Portland and Beaverton taxis.
160	Aleksey Kasyan	Answers $1.80 per mile in Portland and $1.50 per mile in Beaverton.
163	Rep. Kitts	Poses situation concerning the pickup of customers.
168	Alexey Kasyan	Negates and explains there would be a fine in that situation.
170	Rep. Kitts	Clarifies.
172	Chair Krummel	Asks if he think the market will be saturated if Washington County is included.
175	A. Kasyan	Responds that it will be better for customers.
190	Sukhninder Mann	Yellow Cab, Washington County. Explains his situation. Testifies in favor HB 2667. Lists merits of inclusion of Washington County cabs. Informs the committee of the issues facing taxi drivers. Informs the committee that taxi companies do not have insurance.
290	Raye Miles	Broadway Cab. Supports the regulation of taxicabs by metro although she does not support HB 2667 as she believes it is a simplistic approach. Believes wording in the ill should be changed.
340	Rep. Avakian	Asks if Metro could ensure that various types of transportation were provided for even if the bill were passed today.
342	Miles	Responds that she is unsure of the process.
344	Rep. Avakian	Comments on Metro involvement and control.
346	Miles	Affirms. Voices concern that the bill will accomplish the objectives it sets out to.
368	Rep. Nelson	Asks if it would be possible to ask Sen. Ringo to speak to Ms. Miles’s statement.
383	Chair Krummel	Informs her that legal opinions should be provided by Legislative Counsel (LC).
390	Rep. Nelson	Assumes an unlawful bill would not be created by Legislative Counsel.
392	Chair Krummel	Concurs.
TAPE 27, A
003	Mike Pierce	Pacific Trails Cab Company. Testifies in favor of HB 2667. Lists rule already standing regarding the issue.
008	Chair Krummel	Clarifies.
010	Pierce	Suggests a change to the bill regarding federal jurisdiction.
033	Chair Krummel	Poses situation regarding pickup at Portland Airport (PDX).
036	Pierce	Responds yes.
039	Rep. Kitts	Asks about current regulations for local taxi companies.
044	Pierce	Explains that Portland has put laws into place.
050	Rep. Kitts	Asks if regulations are uniform only to Portland.
052	Pierce	Responds that there are taxi companies in other parts of the state that have no regulation.
057	Rep. Nelson	Asks why he chose to be a federal carrier.
060	Pierce	Explains his business involves many types of transportation carriers.
063	Rep. Nelson	Poses questions regarding fees of licensing.
066	Pierce	Lists the costs of licensing.
067	Rep. Nelson	Requests the costs of license in state of Oregon
068	Miles	Answers that Portland charges around $100 per year.
070	Rep. Mabrey	Clarifies that Ms. Miles’s concerns fall in the realm of metro and Portland regulation conflicting.
075	Miles	Responds that is part of her concern.
082	Cheryl Noonan	Green Cab. Explains the current situation of taxi cabs. Testifies in opposition of HB 2667. Concurs with earlier comments made by Ms. Miles.
123	Rep. Kitts	Clarifies that there are requirements for maintenance, safety, etc.
127	Noonan	Explains there are general safety requirements in Portland. Informs the committee of review boards. Responds to various questions posed by the committee. Speaks to the recent death of a cab driver.
188	Rep. Mabrey	Clarifies she is licensed in Beaverton.
194	Noonan	Affirms.
199	Rep. Mabrey	Asks why an outside city would not be approved in Portland.
206	Noonan	Explains.
209	Rep. Mabrey	Poses situations of taxicab jurisdiction.
220	Noonan	Clarifies.
222	Rep. Mabrey	Continues explanation of the situation.
235	Noonan	Comments.
245	Rep. Kitts	Describes his own business situation to clarify regulations. Explains his difficulty with opposition to competition in the workplace. Poses question regarding city involvement.
291	Noonan	Responds that different businesses perform different functions affecting the city’s involvement.
311	Rep. Kitts	Disagrees with Ms. Noonan’s comment on mandates made by cities.
319	Noonan	Comments further.
326	Rep. Nelson	Requests the number of applications approved for the Beaverton drivers.
331	Noonan	States she is unsure. Explains the city would probably have the answer.
336	Chair Krummel	Asks if there is a central dispatch for hired transportation.
342	Noonan	Answers that each company has its own.
349	Chair Krummel	Poses question regarding application process for driving.
363	Noonan	Responds.
369	Marge Kafoury	City of Portland. Testifies on HB 2667.
TAPE 26, B
003	Kafoury	Explains security issues with the City of Portland and the Port of Portland. Discusses safety issues of taxicabs. Expresses distress in Sen. Ringo’s opposition to a workgroup.
059	Rep. Avakian	Requests her estimate of the time a workgroup would require.
067	Kafoury	Responds concerning discussions on the issue.
074	Rep. Avakian	Clarifies the City of Portland is ready to move on the issue.
077	Kafoury	Responds the city is ready to work with Metro on the issue.
080	Rep. Avakian	Asks about the jurisdiction of taxicabs if the bill is passed.
083	Kafoury	Explains the city does not believe it would continue to regulate taxicabs.
088	Rep. Mabrey	Asks if a workgroup could be included in the time of the bill’s passage.
095	Rep. Nelson	States time is more of an issue for Metro. Provides her view that questions should be answered before a bill is passed.
106	Rep. Kitts	States his concern for the transition of City of Portland and metro regulation and fees of the bill.
115	Kafoury	Explains the regulation of the businesses and related fees.
119	Rep. Kitts	Asks question concerning business licensing.
126	Kafoury	Responds regarding city licenses.
129	Rep. Nelson	Asks how many applications for other taxi drivers have been approved since 1998
140	Kafoury	States sixty-five applications.
141	Chair Krummel	Clarifies that is the number of businesses approved.
142	Kafoury	Answers that is the number of individual cabs.
144	Rep. Nelson	Asks about quality and safety standards differ between Beaverton and Portland cabs.
148	Kafoury	Responds regarding safety standards.
160	Doug Riggs	Metro. Testifies on HB 2667 (EXHIBIT D). Explains Metro has no objection to the bill as long as certain questions are answered. Gives the examples of venues Metro has overtaken and improved. Notes changes to Metro. Discusses the questions Metro has on the matter. Provides a proposal for a workgroup on the measure.
258	Rep. Kitts	Explains his earlier comments did not intend to question the competency in Metro.
265	Riggs	Acknowledges the statement.
275	Rep. Kitts	Inquires about a meetings held with Sen. Ringo.
285	Riggs	Answers he was present at one of the meetings. Points out the change in structure of the council during the past few years.
295	Rep. Kitts	Points out that it was not until legislation was brought forth on the matter that progress began. States he supports the chair’s decision on the issue. Suggests that a workgroup not last more than 30 days.
306	Riggs	Responds that the issue has been discussed at length.
325	Kafoury	Adds that the City of Portland has been dealing with many issues related to this and that they do take time.
340	Chair Krummel	Poses a situation concerning licensing.
348	Riggs	Explains that he will get back on that issue.
355	Chair Krummel	Asks him to include information on other related issues to ensure there is not another layer of bureaucracy.
376	Rep. Nelson	Comments that the matter is unbelievable. Believes the bill should be passed and asserts the parties can get together later to come up with answers.
TAPE 27, B
004	Rep. Mabrey	Remarks the other transportation issues should also be discussed. Wonders about an amendment to the bill
013	Rep. Kitts	Poses situation regarding attorneys jurisdiction
020	Riggs	Explains his anticipations for the work on the measure. Believes this is a long term issue. Offers they will return with feedback on the issues.
036	Keith Leavitt	Port of Portland. Explains that taxi issues are very complex. Concurs with the testimony of the City of Portland and Metro in returning with feedback.
054	Chair Krummel	Appoints a workgroup on the issue. Wishes for the City of Portland and Metro to meet in two weeks to discuss the issue. Explains there may be a fiscal impact. Adds there is no emergency clause on the bill. Closes public hearing on HB 2667. Opens public hearing on HB 2676.
HB 2676 PUBLIC HEARING
TAPE 27, B
090	Rep. Lane Shetterly	House District 23. Testifies in favor of HB 2676. Explains the impact of the measure on boundaries. Adds he knows of no opposition to the bill.
132	Rep. Donna Nelson	House District 24. Testifies in favor of HB 2676. Refers the testimony of Leslie Lewis (EXHIBIT E) and other citizens of Yamhill County.
165	Rep. Mabrey	Comments.
170	Dan Linscheid	Surveyor, Yamhill County. Testifies in favor of HB 2676. Refers committee to the map of county lines (EXHIBIT F).
204	Dean Anderson	Information Technology (IT) Director, Polk County. Testifies in favor of HB 2676 (EXHIBIT G).
226	Chair Krummel	Comments.
230	Anderson	Continues testimony concerning monuments.
239	Eric Berry	Acting County Surveyor, Polk County. Testifies in favor of HB 2676.
246	Rep. Nelson	Voices concern as to retroactive taxes for citizens in the counties.
253	Anderson	Responds that the changes will not impact taxes.
264	Linscheid	Remarks on the bill wording on line 14 and the term “brass caps”.
274	Chair Krummel	Asks if it makes a difference overall.
278	Linscheid	Explains that the term is used throughout the document.
280	Chair Krummel	Clarifies.
285	Linscheid	Offers he would like to see the terms changed.
290	Patrick Brennan	Committee Administrator. Speaks to another potential problem
297	Linscheid	Affirms the term should be “brass cap”.
301	Brennan	Poses question regarding the use of iron and brass caps.
304	Linscheid	Responds that different counties have used different materials.
309	Rep. Nelson	Points out another problem.
315	Linscheid	Responds that he had reviewed the LC Draft, and that it had no errors.
324	Rep. Nelson	Offers support for another bill.
328	Chair Krummel	Comments.
333	Brennan	Explains that bill may not qualify as a document needing an amendment.
341	Rep. Kitts	Suggests that the bill be made uniform and return next meeting.
345	Chair Krummel	Comments.
348	Berry	Explains that the material of the monument is not a large issue.
357	Chair Krummel	Clarifies the different materials used.
362	Linscheid	Responds.
364	Anderson	Explains the purpose behind the differentiation.
372	Chair Krummel	Informs them that they will have a work session on a different day if there are problems.
TAPE 29, A
002	Linscheid	Concurs.
003	Chair Krummel	Asks them to overview the bill for amendments.
008	Rep. Nelson	Asks if the property owners have been notified.
013	Anderson	Answers they know who the property owners are and it does not affect them.
017	Rep. Nelson	Ensures property owners are not affected.
020	Anderson	Answers they are not.
022	Rep. Nelson	Poses question about deeds.
024	Linscheid	Responds that the property and the monuments are arguable subjects.
033	Chair Krummel	Explains there will not be a taking and that issues of precedence are meant for a different bill.
043	Rep. Nelson	Comments.
045	Anderson	Explains the intention has not to been to affect anyone.
048	Chair Krummel	Closes the public hearing on HB 2676. Adjourns the meeting at 10:29 AM.

EXHIBIT SUMMARY

A – HB 2667, Sen. Charlie Ringo, 6 p

B – HB 2667, Sen. Charlie Ringo, 11 p

C – HB 2667, Aleksey Kasyan, 1 p

D – HB 2667, Doug Gibbs, 2 p

E – HB 2676, Leslie Lewis, 1 p

F – HB 2676, Dan Linscheid, 3 p

G – HB 2676, Dean Anderson, 1 p