Senate Joint Resolution No. 17 proposes to amend the
Oregon State Constitution, Article IV, Section 10. This resolution was introduced by Senator Johnson.
The SJR 17 Proposal
What this resolution proposes is to add a subsection (4) which limits what kinds of bills can be passed in the Legislature on a simple majority vote during the regular session of an even numbered year. Specifically, these would be bills that deal with appropriations, conformance of Oregon laws with new Federal requirements and corrections to recent Oregon laws where they don't materially change policy. As you may know, during even numbered years, the legislative session is short as members of the Legislative look towards re-election in the fall of that year. There can be significant pressures during an election year and so for these reasons this has been proposed.
My View
I do not think this is necessary. Even numbered years, with the short sessions and the election can be problematic to be productive in the Legislature. I don't think this proposal will make the Legislature any more productive.
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