TAPE/#

Speaker

Comments

TAPE 17, A

003

Chair Verger

Opens the meeting at 3:14 p.m. Opens a work session on introduction of committee bills.

INTRODUCTION OF COMMITTEE BILLS – WORK SESSION

005

Judith Callens

Committee Administrator. Presents LC 2687, LC 2688, LC 2689, LC 2637 and LC 2797 (EXHIBITS A, B, C, D and E).

039

Sen. Whitsett

MOTION:  Moves LCs:  2687, 2688, 2689,  2637,  2797 BE INTRODUCED as committee bills.

VOTE:  5-0-0

AYE:            In a roll call vote, all members present vote Aye.

Chair Verger

The motion CARRIES.

045

Chair Verger

Closes the work session and opens a public hearing on SB 78.

SB 78 – PUBLIC HEARING

048

Callens

Explains the provisions of the bill.

066

Robin Freeman

Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT). Presents written testimony (EXHIBIT F) and testifies in support of SB 78, which requires drivers to submit certain accident reports to ODOT.

070

Sen. Metsger

Asks if the intent is that the accident reports would go to the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) rather than the police.

082

Freeman

Responds that the bill does not impact police reports.

101

Sen. Metsger

States that if you are involved in an accident, you are required to make a report. Asks if the report to DMV would be the only report required.

109

Freeman

Responds that is correct and reviews reporting under the current law.

114

Sen. Metsger

Comments that the requirement from his insurance carrier is that he report the accident to a law enforcement agency.

121

Sen. Prozanski

Adds that the intent is probably just to remove the “option” of taking the report to law enforcement rather than filing the report with the DMV.

138

Freeman

Agrees that this does not preclude a report to law enforcement. Stresses that this would facilitate the requirement that the report get to DMV so that licenses are not unnecessarily suspended.

155

Sen. Metsger

States that there needs to be coordination with the requirement of insurance carriers to report to law enforcement so that coverage is not denied in the event of an accident.

179

Sen. Whitsett

Asks if they have talked with insurance companies to see if they have any concerns.

181

Freeman

Responds that they have not.

183

Chair Verger

Closes the public hearing and opens a public hearing on SB 448.

SB 448 – PUBLIC HEARING

184

Sen. Betsy Johnson

State Senator, District 16. Testifies in support of SB 448.

214

Sen. B. Starr

Asks for clarification of what this bill would allow with regard to the use of school buses for transport of individuals.

218

Martin Loring

Administrator, Public Transit Division, ODOT. Presents written testimony (EXHIBIT G) and answers that there is a conflict between the motor carrier statutes and the state regulations on use of school buses.

257

Chair Verger

Points out that Greyhound is no longer offering services to certain communities and asks if this bill would alleviate some of those service reductions.

269

Loring

Answers that the motor carrier statutes are “complex” and “old.”

292

Loring

Continues with an explanation of the benefits of the bill and the restrictions of the motor carrier statutes.

335

Sen. Prozanski

Asks what the process would be for a private entity to come in and offer these services.

342

Loring

Summarizes the procedures for filing. Adds that the intent is that private carriers would always have the option to offer these services for a profit, but these particular routes are not profit-producing.

364

Sen. Prozanski

Asks if there are any liability issues with utilizing these resources.

372

Loring

Answers that is outside his expertise but that the applicable statutes would apply.

383

Sen. Johnson

Adds that this bill will solve some rural transportation problems.

394

Sen. Prozanski

Suggests that an emergency clause be added to the bill.

TAPE 18, A

003

Roger Martin

Executive Director, Oregon Transit Association. Testifies in support of SB 448. Explains the benefits of the services provided by the Tillamook Transit District.

027

Chair Verger

Closes the public hearing on SB 448 and opens a public hearing on SB 178.

SB 178 – PUBLIC HEARING

032

Callens

Explains the provisions of the bill.

035

Freeman

Presents written testimony (EXHIBIT H) and testifies in support of SB 178.

070

Chair Verger

Closes the public hearing on SB 178 and opens a public hearing on SB 488.

SB 488 – PUBLIC HEARING

073

Callens

Explains the provisions of the bill.

111

Chair Verger

Explains the background of previous legislation passed on school zone speed limits.

144

Chair Verger

Continues with an explanation of the intent of previous legislation.

163

Sen. Courtney

State Senator, District 11, and President of the Senate. Presents written testimony (EXHIBIT I) and testifies in support of SB 488.

196

Sen. Courtney

Notes that there are some errors in the drafted bill.  

239

Sen. Courtney

Talks about the differences in school zones within different areas of the state and problems with driver unfamiliarity as to locations of school zones.

265

Chair Verger

Comments that many parents do not want the law changed. Adds that the fiscal impact is considerable.

313

Chair Verger

Notes that there are children present on weekends at many school functions.

323

Sen. Metsger

Agrees that the issue needs discussion and reviews the fiscal impact.

380

Sen. Prozanski

Suggests that the “old signage” may be available for use.

403

Sen. Courtney

Reviews some of the testimony received when the original bill was passed in the last legislature.

TAPE 17, B

011

Sen. Courtney

Summarizes the intent of the original legislation.

021

Troy Costales

Manager, Transportation Safety Division, ODOT. Presents written testimony (EXHIBIT J) and testifies in support of SB 488.

043

Sen. Starr

Asks if there have been any tickets given to drivers at 2:00 a.m.

046

Costales

Responds that they are not aware of any tickets being issued and believes it is “urban myth.”

050

Sen. Starr

Asks about the most dangerous aspect of the implementation of the law. Wants clarification as to whether it is the requirement to meet the speed limit 24 hours a day, or the lack of consistency between jurisdictions.

060

Costales

Answers that the main media message misinterpreted the bill at the outset. Adds that some signage was not installed in time and this added to the confusion.

087

Costales

States that much of the feedback is positive and drivers appreciate the fact that they know the requirement on their “normal routes.”

093

Sen. Starr

Comments that the lack of readability of the signage may be a problem.

104

Sen. Whitsett

Asks if there is accident data due to changing speeds on an open highway at a school zone.

113

Costales

Notes that the only data they have is for a three-month period and they will be evaluating that and future data.

121

Sen. Whitsett

States that the time when school is “not in session” might be the most hazardous time for drivers.

130

Sen. Metsger

Asks for an opinion on what might be the “best” solution.

133

Costales

Responds with a review of discussions during the last legislative session, to include removing the “double fine” penalty. Recommends that they have times posted for the speed limits and allow double fines.

176

Sen. Metsger

Stresses that we need to work on the issue while preserving the original intent, which was to protect children.

194

Jon Oshel

Association of Oregon Counties. Testifies in support of SB 488. Notes that the fiscal impact is “trivial” relative to the safety of the children.

221

Christy Monson

League of Oregon Cities. Presents written testimony (EXHIBIT K) and testifies that their organization is neutral on SB 488.

235

Sen. Prozanski

Asks if they are aware of any counties that saved the old signage.

240

Oshel

Responds that many of the counties did save their signs.

245

Monson

Notes that a lot of the cities either put “stickers” or “riders” on their signs.

257

Sen. Gary George

State Senator, District 12. Testifies on the intent of the original legislation, and outlines some of the problems associated with the requirement to meet the speed limits at all times in school zones.

291

Sen. George

Notes some concerns of truckers about vehicles slowing when not necessary and causing an accident. Emphasizes the importance of proper signage.

Kelly Scannell Brooks

City of Eugene. Submits written testimony expressing concerns over definitions contained within SB 488.

319

Chair Verger

Closes the public hearing on SB 488. Discusses the next out-of-office trip scheduled for April 1. Closes the meeting at 4:35 p.m.