HOUSE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION

April 11, 2003 Hearing Room 357

8:30 AM Tapes 78 - 79

MEMBERS PRESENT: Rep. Alan Brown, Chair

Rep. Elizabeth Beyer, Vice-Chair

Rep. John Mabrey Vice-Chair

Rep. Jackie Dingfelder

Rep. George Gilman

Rep. Mitch Greenlick

Rep. Cliff Zauner

STAFF PRESENT: Janet Adkins, Administrator

Ryan Sherlock, Assistant

MEASURE/ISSUES HEARD: HB 2661 – Public Hearing

HB 2388 – Public Hearing

HB 3615 – Public Hearing and Work Session

HB 3583 – 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 78, A
003	Chair Brown	Calls meeting to order at 8:36 a.m., and explains that there is a problem which needs to be resolved with HB 2670 so it will be held over to a future meeting. Opens a public hearing on HB 2661.
HB 2661 – PUBLIC HEARING
005	Janet Adkins	Committee Administrator. Offers a description of HB 2661, which is replaced by the proposed -1 amendments (EXHIBIT A), and points out the need for future amendments.
030	Rep. Greenlick	Discusses his experience in doing a ride along with the State Police, where he noticed the problem corrected by the -1 amendments to HB 2661. Discusses what changes need to be made to the -1 amendments.
050	Doug Tindal	Oregon Department of Transportation. Offers written testimony (EXHIBIT B) in support of HB 2661-1.
070	Chair Brown	Closes the public hearing on HB 2661-1, and opens a public hearing on HB 2388.
HB 2388 – PUBLIC HEARING
075	Chair Brown	Closes the public hearing on HB 2388, and opens a public hearing on HB 3615.
HB 3615 – PUBLIC HEARING
095	Janet Adkins	Committee Administrator. Offers a description of HB 3615.
110	Scott West	Oregon Lodging Association. Offers written testimony (EXHIBIT C) in support of HB 3615.
120	Chair Brown	Clarifies that the signs in question display the restaurants, etc. at the upcoming exit on the freeway.
130	Cheryl Gribskov	Oregon Travel Information Council (OTIC). Acknowledges, and offers a brief explanation of the signs in question, with reference to brochure Oregon Travel Information Council: Driving Tourism In Oregon (EXHIBIT D).
135	Chair Brown	Asks if those who advertise pay for the service.
140	Gribskov	Explains that there is an annual fee for the service.
145	Rep. Zauner	Clarifies that the signs in question are the blue signs which are controlled by the federal government.
150	Gribskov	Acknowledges.
155	Rep. Zauner	Clarifies that then the signs in question are the signs off interstate.
160	Gribskov	Acknowledges.
165	Rep. Zauner	Asks why there is a limit as to the number of advertisements on the signs.
170	Gribskov	Discusses the relevant federal guidelines which regulate the advertising.
175	Rep. Zauner	Asks how this could be changed.
180	Gribskov	Points out that these are considered “motorist services” and deemed unessential by the federal government.
185	Rep. Zauner	Discusses his personal experience regarding this issue, and ask for information on how Oregon might change this.
195	West	Indicates he will get this information for the committee.
200	Rep. Beyer	Asks if the fee follows the transfer of the sign.
205	Gribskov	Explains that the fee would stay with the OTIC.
210	Rep. Gilman	Asks what the intent of the transfer is.
215	West	Discusses the reason for the transfer.
220	Rep. Beyer	Asks whether the cities or counties have any problem with the bill.
225	Chair Brown	Closes the public hearing on HB 3615, and recesses the meeting.
RECESS
260	Chair Brown	Calls meeting back to order, and opens a work session on HB 3615.
HB 3615 – WORK SESSION
265	Rep. Zauner	Asks what the federal government will not allow.
270	Gribskov	Explains that there cannot be more than four advertisements on the sign, and further discusses restrictions.
275	Rep. Zauner	Referring to submitted pamphlet, clarifies the federal restrictions.
280	Gribskov	Further comments on the restrictions.
285	Rep. Flores	House District 51. Offers testimony in support of HB 3615.
300	Rep. Greenlick	MOTION: Moves HB 3615 to the floor with a DO PASS recommendation.
305		VOTE: 6-0 AYE: In a roll call vote, all members present vote Aye. EXCUSED: 1 - Dingfelder
	Chair Brown	The motion CARRIES.
310	Rep. Zauner	MOTION: Moves HB 3615 be placed on the CONSENT CALENDAR.
		VOTE: 6-0 EXCUSED: 1 - Dingfelder
	Chair Brown	Hearing no objection, declares the motion CARRIED.
320	Chair Brown	Closes the public hearing on HB 3615, and opens a public hearing on HB 3583.
HB 3583 – PUBLIC HEARING
330	Rep. Hunt	House District 40. Offers testimony in support of HB 3583, with reference to submitted testimony (EXHIBIT E) from Fred Land.
385	Rep. Zauner	Comments on his personal experience regarding the bill.
395	Rep. Hunt	Comments on other states implementation of the bill.
TAPE 79, A
005	Rep. Gilman	Acknowledges that this would probably contribute to safety, but expresses concern for legislating common sense.
015	Rep. Hunt	Comments on the common sense aspect of the bill.
025	Rep. Beyer	Asks what the fine would be in the statute.
030	Rep. Hunt	Indicates that this would be set by the agency, and discusses fines in other states.
035	Rep. Beyer	Comments on the possible range of the fine.
040	Adkins	Discusses similar statutes in other states.
050	Rep. Greenlick	Discusses the statute which would be amended by the bill.
060	Rep. Hunt	Quotes the Oregon Drivers Manual regarding the use of headlights when driving under poor visibility.
080	Stan Porter	Oregon Department of Transportation, Transportation Safety Division. Offers Written testimony (EXHIBIT F) regarding HB 3583, expressing concern for educating the public on the change.
100	Chair Brown	Clarifies that there is a bill in the Senate which is similar to HB 3583.
105	Porter	Acknowledges, and discusses the Senate bill.
110	Rep. Greenlick	Asks whether notification could not be made at the boarder.
115	Porter	Explains that while there is no specific sign, there are some which are posted.
120	Rep. Greenlick	Clarifies which laws are posted.
125	Porter	Explains that those signs only indicate the unusual traffic laws which cause the most confusion.
130	Rep. Zauner	Asks about the expressed concerns regarding the Senate bill.
135	Porter	Explains the main concern was safety.
140	Chair Brown	Closes the public hearing on HB 3583, and points out the need to carry over HB 2679 to another meeting.
150	Rep. Greenlick	Asks what whether the committee could do a conceptual amendment on HB 2661.
155	Chair Brown	Points out the Chief Clerk’s opposition to conceptual amendments.
160	Janet Adkins	Points out Legislative Counsel’s dislike for conceptual amendments.
165	Rep. Greenlick	Acknowledges.
166	Adkins	Discusses her conversations with Legislative Counsel.
170	Chair Brown	Adjourns the meeting at 9:16 a.m.

EXHIBIT SUMMARY

A – HB 2661, -1 amendment, Staff, 2 pp.

B – HB 2686, written testimony, Doug Tindal, 1 p.

C – HB 3615, written testimony, Scott West, 1 p.

D – HB 3615, Driving Tourism In Oregon pamphlet, Cheryl Gribskov, 2 pp.

E – HB 3583, written testimony, Fred Land, 1 p.

F – HB 3583, written testimony, Stan Porter, 2 pp.