politics

Now Dead In Salem: Taxing Carbon Emissions, Statewide Uber Laws, Kicking Dogs From Laps

By Chris Lehman (OPB)
Salem, Oregon April 19, 2017 11:48 p.m.

Oregon lawmakers have a better sense of what's remaining on their agenda for the remainder of the legislative session.

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That's because a key deadline for measures to advance has passed, meaning hundreds of bills — some of which enjoyed bipartisan support — are no longer in play.

For example, a measure championed by Sen. Elizabeth Steiner Hayward, D-Beaverton, and Rep. Knute Buehler, R-Bend, would have had the state distribute suicide-prevention materials at gun shops.

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On Tuesday, with the deadline imminent, the bill was tabled with little explanation in the House Judiciary Committee. Steiner Hayward isn't sure why.

"I think there were a variety of factors in play. It's a little unclear to me and I'm trying to get more information," she said before addressing a small crowd Wednesday at a ceremony on the Capitol Mall to remember Oregonians who have died by suicide.

The 762 chairs set up on the Capitol Mall Wednesday represented the number of Oregonians who died by suicide in 2015.

The 762 chairs set up on the Capitol Mall Wednesday represented the number of Oregonians who died by suicide in 2015.

Chris Lehman / OPB

"Rep. Buehler and I are very hopeful we can resurrect it," she said. "We feel really strongly that it's important to offer firearms dealers to provide education. Not a mandate, but just an opportunity to provide information that's evidence based."

Other bills that didn't make it past the deadline include a measure to regulate ride-hailing services like Uber and Lyft statewide. And a bill that would have allowed cities and counties to ban genetically engineered crops failed to make the cut.

Lawmakers have until early July to wrap up their work on legislation that's still alive, including bills related to the state budget.

OPB reporter Chris Lehman walked "All Things Considered" host Kate Davidson through the highlights of legislation that won't become law this year. Listen to their full conversation by clicking on the audio player at the top of this article.

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