Press Release: Senate votes to strengthen Oregon’s Lemon Law

SB 515 extends period of time that vehicles are covered

SALEM – Oregonians who purchase automobiles that turn out to be ‘lemons’ will have longer to make their claim under legislation passed this morning by the Senate.  SB 515 changes the period of time for a consumer to notify a manufacturer that a new vehicle doesn’t conform to its warranty to 24 months or 24,000 miles, whichever is earlier.

“Twenty-two states have lemon laws that cover consumers for a longer period of time than Oregon,” said Senator Suzanne Bonamici (D-Washington Co./Portland), chair of the Senate Consumer Protection Committee. “This bill should improve consumer confidence when it comes to making an investment in a new car.”

“Lemons” are generally defined as cars that continue to have a defect that substantially impairs the use, value, or safety of the vehicle after a reasonable number of attempts to repair the car or after the car has been out of service for a particular number of days. SB 515 reduces the number of times a vehicle must be serviced for the same defect before being considered a ‘lemon’ from four to three. In cases where the defect is life threatening, the state will no longer require multiple attempts to fix the defect.

Press Release: Major piece of student protection legislation clears last legislative vote

HB 2062 updates standards for reporting, prevention of sexual misconduct in schools

SALEM – A bill that significantly safeguards Oregon children from sexual misconduct by school employees passed the Senate this morning. House Bill 2062 requires school boards to adopt more stringent policies, firmer reporting guidelines, and requires annual training to help educators spot and prevent sexual misconduct.

“This is another major step towards keeping Oregon students safe in the classroom,” said Senator Vicki Walker (D-Eugene), who carried the bill on the floor and worked on the legislation during the 2008 interim. “The progress we’ve made in the last year is remarkable. The system was broken, and the Oregon Legislative Assembly has now passed some of the toughest laws in the country that ferret out and quickly remove any educator who violates the sacred trust of a child.”

HB 2062 also ramps up background checks, requiring teachers to provide a list of previous schools they’ve worked at and allowing new employers to contact those schools for background records. Former employers will be required to issue a statement as to whether applicant has been or is the subject of a report or investigation related to child abuse or sexual misconduct.

Press Release: Senate approves help for smokers wanting to kick the habit

SB 734 requires insurers to help pay for smoking cessation tools

SALEM – The Senate approved legislation this morning that will expand access to cessation programs for people who want to quit smoking.  Smoking continues to be the leading cause of preventable death in the United States and a major contributor to health-related expenses.

“I’m supportive of any steps we can take to help people give up smoking,” said Senator Bill Morrisette (D-Springfield), chief sponsor of the bill. “Encouraging healthy habits is crucial to improving public health and reforming our health care system as a whole.”

SB 734 requires health insurers to provide payment, coverage, or reimbursement of up to $500 for a tobacco cessation program. Such programs can include counseling, medications, or a combination of both.

“Tobacco use cessation treatments are the single most cost-effective health insurance benefit that we can provide,” said Senator Alan Bates (D-Ashland), a practicing physician. “Giving up smoking isn’t easy for many people. This is a tool that will help them kick their habit and move towards a healthier lifestyle.”

The bill will now go to the House for consideration.

Press Release: Oregon Senate Honors Officers Killed, Injured In Woodburn Bank Bombing

The Oregon Senate Wednesday honored two law enforcement officers killed in a December bomb explosion at a Woodburn bank and the Woodburn Chief of Police who was critically injured in the blast.

Senate Concurrent Resolutions 12 and 14 honor the lives of Woodburn Police Captain Thomas Paul Tennant and Oregon State Police Senior Trooper William “Bill” Robert Hakim, who were both killed in the December 12, 2008, explosion.

“These men devoted their lives to protecting our families and keeping our communities safe,” said Senate President Peter Courtney (D-Salem/Gervais/Woodburn). “Today we honor their careers, their courage and their enduring sacrifice, but no resolution or fancy speeches can match the manner in which these men honored us with their service. We are forever in their debt.”

Press Release: Senate Bill will protect Oregon seniors from shady investment schemes

SB 973 will put an end to stranger-originated life insurance in Oregon

SALEM – The Oregon Senate passed Senate Bill 973 this morning, protecting Oregon seniors from an investment scheme known as stranger-originated life insurance or “STOLI.” The legislation will provide needed protections regarding disclosure and privacy.

“Vulnerable seniors are being taken advantage of by these schemes,” said Senator Suzanne Bonamici (D-Washington Co./Portland), chair of the Senate Consumer Protection Committee. “This legislation will provide important disclosures to consumers and help prevent seniors from being lured into these questionable deals.”

STOLI occurs when third party investors convince seniors to purchase additional life insurance, for the purpose of selling or transferring the policy to investors later. Seniors are often coached to misrepresent their health, finances and the intent of the arrangement.

Press Release: Senate Bill helps out renters when landlords are in foreclosure

SB 952 will help prevent unexpected eviction, loss of rental deposits

SALEM – With the foreclosure crisis continuing to hit Oregon hard, the Senate passed SB 952 this morning, protecting the rights of tenants when the property they rent or lease goes into foreclosure.

“As the number of foreclosed investment properties continues to increase, Oregon renters face uncertainty about the fate of their homes,” said Senator Suzanne Bonamici (D-Washington Co./Portland), chair of Senate Consumer Protection Committee. “They are truly innocent victims – losing their homes through no fault of their own. They deserve as much notification as possible if the stability of their rented home is in question.”

Currently, tenants have few rights if their landlord’s property is foreclosed. They can be evicted with short notice, many risk losing their deposits, and they may incur expensive moving costs association with a sudden, unplanned move.

Press Release: Safety of domestic violence victims protected with Senate legislation

SB 928 requires employers to make reasonable accommodation for victims

SALEM – The Senate voted in support of legislation this morning to protect victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking. Senate Bill 928 requires employers to make reasonable safety accommodations, such as changing work shift times, moving the location of an employee’s desk, or changing an employee’s telephone number at work to protect their safety.

“Simple workplace accommodations can make a significant difference in the safety of a victim,” said Senator Suzanne Bonamici, who carried the bill on the floor. “Without causing undue hardship on an employer, this bill will help victims work with less fear of violence.”

Senator Diane Rosenbaum (D-Portland), a chief sponsor of the bill, explained that SB 928 also prohibits an employer from refusing to hire or retaliating against a victim of violence. According to the U.S. General Accounting Office, between 25 to 50 percent of victims fear losing their job because of domestic violence.

Press Release: Bill will stop garnishment of exempt income, protect most vulnerable Oregonians

SB 731 will fix inconsistency in garnishment law, help seniors and veterans

SALEM – The Oregon Senate voted to protect Oregon’s most vulnerable today by passing legislation that will prevent the garnishment of certain funds that people depend on for basic living expenses. For those relying on public assistance, Senate Bill 731 ensures that these Oregonians will be protected from having to fight to keep the funds they are entitled to.

“For some Oregonians, these funds are the only resource they have to keep food on the table and a roof over their heads,” said Senator Suzanne Bonamici (D-Washington Co./Portland), chair of the Senate Consumer Protection Committee. “Oregon’s current garnishment practices undermine the ability of some seniors, veterans, and out-of-work families to make ends meet.”

Protected funds include Social Security, veterans’ benefits, unemployment insurance, public assistance, and worker’s compensation. Federal and state law provides that these funds are exempt from garnishment. However, current Oregon law contradicts this prohibition by requiring a financial institution to turn the funds over to a creditor. In order to recover the exempt funds, the consumer must file a legal challenge and make their case in court.

Press Release: Legislation will create considerable obstacles to drug-related crime

Bipartisan metal-theft legislation moves out of Senate this morning

SALEM – The Senate took a major step towards cracking down on drug-related crime this morning with passage of Senate Bill 570 by a unanimous vote. The bill, sponsored by 89 legislators from both chambers, will create significant obstacles to persons who have long used the sale of stolen scrap metal to finance their drug habits.

“This is good legislation that will significantly curb metal theft in Oregon,” said Senator Floyd Prozanski (D-Eugene), chair of the Senate Judiciary committee. “This bill has the support of nearly every legislator in the building, of business and prosecutors, and is exemplary of what we can achieve by working together on a common problem to find a shared solution for Oregonians.”

Metal theft has become a serious safety problem across Oregon as thieves become more and more reckless in the materials they go after. In recent years metal has been stripped from school bleachers, utility electric substations, and guardrails.

Press Release: Legislation will encourage billboard removal in Oregon’s scenic vistas

Senate Bill 689 will provide incentives for billboard owners to relocate signs

SALEM – Legislation encouraging the removal of billboards along Oregon’s most picturesque roads found support on the Senate floor this morning. Senate Bill 689 directs the Oregon Department of Transportation to provide incentives for the voluntary removal of billboards from state highways that have been designated as “scenic byways.” The legislation also significantly increases penalties for violating state sign laws from $100 to $1,000 a day.

“This legislation will improve Oregon’s scenic vistas, provide opportunities for Oregon business, and impose tough penalties on those that don’t follow the law,” said Senator Rick Metsger (D-Welches), chair of Senate Business and Transportation Committee and chief sponsor of the legislation.