OCVA - 2005-02-24 alert

Oregon Communities

For a Voice In Annexations

Promoting and Protecting Citizen Involvement in Land Use Issues

Legislative Alert

Dear OCVA Members & Friends:

Monday, Feb. 28 has a good possibility of being a big day for us in our effort to reform the ORS-195 annexation process (clarify that the voting provision will be "double majority" instead of "combined vote.")

The House Land Use Committee is scheduled to meet at 1:30 PM in Hearing Room 50 in a public hearing on our HB 2484 and Measure 37 issues. I haven't seen the schedule but I'm hoping 2484 is first on the list, thereby ensuring action on that day. I CANNOT ATTEND. IT WOULD BEHOOVE US TO HAVE AS MANY SUPPORTERS THERE AS POSSIBLE. But check the schedule the day of the hearing: these things get postponed and rescheduled all the time.

Rep. Garrard called me today and advised me that he believes they'll be able to move the bill. Based on the input I've received from the committee members, that looks to be a good bet. Of course, things can change overnight. Our opponents are showing signs of becoming nervous that we might actually succeed. That's the last thing they want. I advised Rep. Garrard that we'd probably be willing to participate in a work group or task force on annexation issues as proposed by the League of Oregon Cities - but NOT at the expense of failing to enact reform in THIS session.

IF YOU HAVE NOT DONE SO - AND EVEN IF YOU HAVE - THE HOUSE LAND USE COMMITTEE MEMBERS NEED TO HEAR FROM US NOW! The messages are:

1. Please pass HB 2484 out of committee AS WRITTEN with a "do pass" endorsement

2. Please don't accept delaying tactics, such as the formation of a work group or task force, in lieu of passing HB 2484 in THIS session.

3. Thank you VERY MUCH for your support of "the people" on this!

ORS 222 REFORM

While 195 as currently being interpreted is arguably the most unfair annexation statute on the books, ORS 222.750 is not far behind. That's the "island annexation" language which is causing such turmoil around the Beaverton area.

There are three senate bills which address various sections of 222: SB 491, 886 and 887. The latter is an outright repeal of section 750. Rep Garrard, Senator Ringo and numerous other legislators are well aware of the island annexation problem.

OCVA has resisted efforts to insert the provisions of SB 887 into HB 2484. My feeling is that if the scope of the bill is expanded to also include 222 reform, it will garner more opposition and thereby stand less of a chance of passage. I realize there are those who don't share that view. But the bill is a long shot as it is. I believe we have to keep its provisions tightly focused if we are to have any chance at all of advancing it. This was my recommendation to Rep. Garrard.

We stand ready to argue and support 222 reform with as much energy as we've put into reforming 195. We know 222 is a big issue for a lot of you. We will have the chance to do so on the Senate side where - quite frankly - the chances are probably better than they are in the House. For the next several days though, I believe our focus needs to be on getting HB 2484 out of committee with a strong "do pass."

I'd be glad to hear your thoughts and concerns on these matters.

Jerry Ritter

Secretary, OCVA

This page last modified on 2005-11-16 08:29.

2005-02-24 Alert

Legislative Alert