Summary of Legislation:     Week of February 8th through 12th

From Phil Spencer, PAAM Secretary

Please review the following information regarding activity at the State Legislature.  I would encourage you to write, call or e-mail your representative and express your views on these issues.  It is worth while and they respond to the sentiments of their constituents

SB-108 Aeronautics Separation
The Aeronautics Separation Bill was heard on the Senate Floor on January 28, 1999. The Bill passed the Senate 25 to 3 (Castillo, Courtney, Hannon) with two Senators excused (Gordly, Hartung). The information we have says that Gordly and Hartung would have also been "ayes".

SB-108 had its first reading on January 29th and was referred to the Speaker of the House. On February 2nd, the Speaker sent the bill to House Transportation. No hearing has been scheduled at this writing.

There has been no additional public comment from the Governor's office on the bill, although there are still reports circling the Capitol that he might veto it.

This is a critical time to contact our representatives and the Governor and urge them to support SB-108. Most of these legislators are leaning favorably to support separation, however, some of them really need to "hear from home". They are:

Name/Address Representing
Rep. Vic Backlund: (H-30: Keizer/Salem)
H-284, State Capitol
Salem, Oregon 97310
PH: (503) 986-1433
EM: backlund.rep@state.or.us

Rep. Elaine Hopson (H-2:Bay City, Cannon Beach,
H-376, State Capitol Garibaldi, Gearhart, Manzanita
Salem, Oregon 97310 Rockaway, Seaside, Tillamook
PH: (503) 986-1402 Vernonia, Warrenton, Wheeler)
EM: hopson.rep@ state.or.us

Rep. Jerry Krummel (H-27: Sherwood/West Linn/Wilsonville)
H-476, State Capitol
Salem, Oregon 97310
PH: (503) 986-1427
EM:krummel.rep@state.or.us

Rep. Mike Lehman (H-47: Coos Bay, Dune City, Florence
H-279, State Capitol Lakeside, North Bend, Reedsport)
Salem, Oregon 97310
PH: (503) 986-1447
EM: lehman.rep@state.or.us

Rep. Kathy Lowe (H-26: Gladstone, Oregon City)
H-371, State Capitol
Salem, Oregon 97310
PH: (503) 986-1426
EM: lowe.rep@state.or.us

Rep. Bill Morrisette (H-42: Eugene, Springfield)
H-374, State Capitol
Salem, Oregon 97310
PH: (503) 986-1442
EM: morrisette.rep@state.or.us

Rep.Al King (H-44: Creswell, Lowell, Cottage Grove, Oakridge)
H-492, State Capitol
Salem, Oregon 97310
PH: (503) 986-1444
EM: king.rep@state.or.us

Rep. Barbara Ross (H-35: Corvallis)
H-479, State Capitol
Salem, Oregon 97310
PH: (503) 986-1435
EM: ross.rep@state.or.us

Rep. Lane Shetterly (H-34: Adair Village, Dallas, Falls City, Independence,
H-385, State Capitol Monmouth, Monroe, Philomath)
Salem, Oregon 97310
PH: (503) 986-1434
EM: shetterly.rep@state.or.us

Rep. Judy Uherbelau (D-52: Ashland, Butte Falls, Eagle Point, Phoenix, Talent)
H-474, State Capitol
Salem, Oregon 97310
PH: (503) 986-1452
EM: uherbelau.rep@state.or.us

Rep. Max Williams (R-9: Durham, King City, Tigard)
H-475, State Capitol
Salem, Oregon 97310
PH: (503) 986-1409
EM: williams.rep@state.or.us

The day after the Senate vote, Senator Peter Courtney contacted OPA's VP of Legislative Affairs, Betsy Johnson and asked if she would be willing to meet with the Governor. Betsy told Senator Courtney that she would welcome the opportunity to talk about the issue. Courtney said he would make the arrangements. It is unknown whether Courtney's call came at the direction of the Governor or not. Courtney has still not called back at this writing.

HB-2199; AVGAS & Jet Fuel Tax Proposal
HB-2199 had its first reading on January 27th in the House. It was referred to House Transportation with a subsequent referral to the Revenue Committee. At this time, there is no hearing scheduled.

HB-2358; Airport Self-Fueling Bill
HB-2358 had its first reading in the House on January 11th and was referred to the House Transportation Committee. House Trans held a hearing and work session on the bill on January 20th. The bill was amended and sent out of committee with a "do-pass" recommendation on January 22nd. The amendment changed the description of airports qualified for self fueling from "a general aviation airport" to "an airport registered, licensed or recognized by the Department of Transportation". HB-2358 had its second reading on January 26th and was carried to the floor by Representative Jeff Kropf on January 27th . The House voted 59 -0 in favor with one excused (Prozanski). On January 28th, the bill had its first reading in the Senate and was referred to the Senate Transportation Committee. It had a public hearing on Monday, February 1st, then a public hearing and work session on February 3rd. On February 9th the bill passed out of the Senate Transportation Committee with a "Do pass" recommendation. On February 10th, the bill was carried to the Senate floor by Senator Gary George (R-Newberg) for a vote. The bill passed 26-1 (Hannon). HB-2358 is on its way to the Governor's Office.

HB-2629
Requires that one person on the Oregon Transportation Commission be a licensed pilot or have experience with airport operations.

HB-2629
Sponsored by Representative Vicki Walker (D-Eugene) had its first reading on Wednesday, February 10th and was referred to the House Transportation Committee. The bill requires that at least one person on the OTC have some aeronautical experience. Should the Aeronautics Separation Bill pass, this will provide a new conduit for communication between aviation and surface modes of transportation. No hearing date scheduled at this time.

SB-359
Repeals requirement that person who rents an airplane to another person inform the renter whether insurance coverage is provided and, if so, the nature of the coverage.
This is truly a housekeeping measure. The original bill requiring this notification was passed back in 1988. The rules to implement the bill were never enacted because it could not be practically implemented. No hearing scheduled at this time.

LC-2792
Representative Kevin Mannix (R-Salem) has introduced a bill at the request of the Portland Police Association and the Oregon Council of Police Associations to prohibit helicopter operations within 1000' of a "place where police officers are deployed by reason of a person holding one or more hostages or where police officers are deployed to take custody of an armed person who refuses to surrender to police." The bill goes on to say that anyone that violates this airspace restriction will be strictly liable for anything that happens "out of the operation of the helicopter". It also states that violators will be subject to as much as a $50,000 fine. This seems to have some interesting constitutional and federal pre-emption issues to consider.