LEGISLATION 

(This report is prepared by Al Elkins, OHA Lobbyist. If you have any questions about the report contact Al at alvinelkins@yahoo.com)

This was a busy week as April 18 was the deadline for committees to get their work
done. Here is a run down of what happened to the bills that were still in committee as the week began:

Bill Action This Past Week
HJR 16 – The bill that proposes an amendment to the Oregon Constitution establishing right to hunt, to fish, to trap and to harvest wildlife.
Action: This bill has been sent to the House Committee on Rules. We will be working with other groups to move this bill forward.

HB 2624 – This bill provides that a county is exempt from applicability of statute banning use of dogs to hunt black bears or cougars and use of bait to hunt black bears if voters approve county measure proposed by initiative petition or referred to people by governing body of county.
Action: This bill was amended in committee. The amendment takes out “bears and bait”. The bill now just relates to cougars. The bill goes to the floor of the House for a vote.

HB 3395 – This bill requires ODFW to recommend rules to the Commission regarding creation of a pilot program that allows persons to use dogs to hunt or pursue cougars. Action: This bill died in committee.

HB 3437 – This bill requires certain qualifications for appointment as member of State Fish and Wildlife Commission.
Action: This bill died in committee. House Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee Chair Witt said that during the interim the subject of this bill would get a lot more study. It is possible that a workgroup will be formed to study this subject.

HB 2452 – This bill allows for rancher to take a wolf under certain circumstances. Action: This bill is being used as the center stage to resolve the differences for all parties involved in the wolf issue
The bill as amended would allow ranchers to:
• Kill, or “take” wolves without a permit “while caught in the act of attacking livestock or working dogs; or

• Caught in the act of chasing livestock during the time period in which the department has determined to take lethal action because of chronic wolf depredation and the person has taken non-lethal action as specified by the department.

The bill was amended Thursday morning and then sent to the House Committee on Rules for further “tweaking”.
Gun Bills Pass Out Of Senate Judiciary Committee

The Senate Judiciary Committee passed out four gun bills on Thursday. Here are the four bills:

SB 347 – This bill would allow school districts to prohibit concealed handgun licensees from carrying their firearms on school grounds.

SB 699 – This bill would require that firearms carried into public buildings by licensees be concealed from public view.

SB 700 – would require a background check for all private sales and transfers, except for those among family members.

SB 796 – This bill would require that applicants for concealed permits take a course taught by a live instructor.
The bills now move to the floor of the Senate for a vote. Senator Betsy Johnson, D- Scappoose says she will oppose all four bills. That means a Republican will need to vote in favor of the bills for them to pass the floor of the Senate. We will be sending out an “Alert” shortly on this subject.

Bills In Play
HB 2027 Land Owner Program Bill
Now in Senate Environment and Natural Resources.

HB 2252 Multi-Year License Bill
Now in Senate Environment and Natural Resources.

HB 2390 Cougar Agent Bill
Now in Senate Environment and Natural Resources.

HB 2039 Guides and Packers Bill
Now in full Committee on Ways and Means.

Other Issues
Oregon Department of Forestry Budget Hearings
The Oregon Department of Forestry had their agency budget hearings this week before the Ways and Means Sub Committee on Natural Resources. OHA testified that we have been working with ODF on the subject of the Conservation Areas proposed rule and that healthy managed forests mean healthy habitat for wildlife.

SB 713
This bill would allow for the construction of “shooting ranges” in exclusive farm use zones. OHA testified in support of this bill last Wednesday before the Senate Judiciary Committee.