(File photo)
Before a bill becomes law, it must first pass through both House and Senate committees. If a bill doesn’t move out of committee (and onto a floor vote) it is dead.
Today was the final day for bills to pass out of committee so I figured it’d be a good time to look at where things stand. I’ve separated them into three categories: Passed, Still have a chance, and Officially dead.
Passed
Speed Limit on Residential Streets (H.B. 2297)
This bill was championed by Representative Carolyn Tomei (D-Milwaukie) and will result in a speed limit of 15mph on streets that are 18′ wide or less and are at least one block in length. Learn more about this bill here (read the comments because my reporting was not completely accurate).
Still have a chance
These bill have passed their respective committees and are only waiting for a final floor vote.
Share the Road License Plate (S.B. 789)
This bill was championed by Eugene Senator Floyd Prozanski and is awaiting its final vote on the House floor. Read more about it here.
Vulnerable Roadway Users (H.B. 3314)
This bill was created by the BTA and is awaiting its final vote on the Senate floor. Read this update.
Fixed Gear Brake Requirement (S.B. 729)
This bill was created by Portland lawyer Mark Ginsberg and is awaiting a final vote on the House floor. Brush up on the full fixed-gear brake saga in my archives.
Officially dead
Pedestrian Hand Signal (S.B. 573)
This bill was created by the BTA. After getting some great publicity and passing completely through the Senate, this bill did not make it out of committee. BTA lobbyist Scott Bricker has a full report on today’s bad news.
Velodrome Construction (S.B. 926)
This bill, championed by southern Oregon Senator Jason Atkinson, did not make it out of the Joint Ways and Means Committee. Read all about it here.
Bicycle Safety Omnibus (S.B. 299)
This bill, created by the BTA, included several law change proposals including: a “three-foot” passing distance rule
Memorial Road Signs (H.B. 3020)
This bill (also known at “Eric’s Law” in honor of fallen cyclist Eric Kautzky), was championed by Rep Jerry Krummel (R-Wilsonville), never made it out of the House. Read more about this bill here.
Stay tuned for more updates For more background on these bills, check out my extensive coverage of the 2007 legislative session.
UPDATE: Here’s what BTA lobbyist Scott Bricker just added,
“I don’t have the full time right now but the reporting is not just right. Elements of SB 299 have been stuffed into SB 108. It’s more of a rural riding safety bill now though. The Velodrome bill and Memorial Signs are not dead, they are in the boneyard.”
Why did 299 fail?
Scott,
Scott Bricker from the BTA would be the best person to answer, but from what I heard, there was some confusion over what a “safe passing distance” should be defined as. Also, because the bill had so many different ideas, it might have been tough to get the right amount of education across. But again, hopefully Bricker chimes in with more details.
I also am sad to here that that bill didn’t make it through. I’ll keep my fingers crossed for vunerable roadway users… (and the fixie law too)
Don’t just cross your fingers; email or call your senator and representative. Fill in your address at this website and you’ll get the contact info for your guys and gals in Salem and Washington DC.
http://www.leg.state.or.us/findlegsltr/
I don’t have the full time right now but the reporting is not just right. Elements of SB 299 have been stuffed into SB 108. It’s more of a rural riding safety bill now though. The Velodrome bill and Memorial Signs are not dead, they are in the boneyard.
573 is dead.
when is the last day for this stuff to pass?
whats up with the fixed gear bill?