HB 4002
Limits to 25 the number of legislative measures that a member of the Legislative Assembly may ask the Legislative Counsel to prepare for a regular session of the Legislative Assembly that begins in an odd-numbered year.
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Sign in to take actionPublic sentiment
Support
79%
Oppose
21%
- Introduced
- Passed House
- Passed Senate
- To Governor
- Became Law
Bill overview
This bill limits the number of legislative measures a member of the Oregon Legislative Assembly or a committee can request from the Legislative Counsel to prepare for a regular session starting in an odd-numbered year. Specifically, individual members can request a maximum of 25 measures, committees can request 15, and the Governor and state agencies can request a combined total of 200. The bill also allows the Senate and House Rules Committees to request additional measures on behalf of requesters, and provides for additional measures when one legislative chamber passes a measure. An emergency declaration means the bill takes effect immediately upon passage.
Sponsors
Official sponsors from legislative records.
Primary sponsors
Arguments in favor
Reasons to support this legislation.
Supporters of limits on bill introductions argue that reducing the number of bills considered in a session promotes thoughtful review and careful consideration, allowing legislators to thoroughly evaluate each bill. They cite concerns about the time and effort expended by citizens supporting bills that may not be heard, as well as chaotic hearings and an overwhelming volume of comments. Many advocates propose modest limits on the number of bills introduced, with some suggesting a reduction from the current limit to 12 measures per legislator, or implementing specific rules to promote transparency and accountability in the Oregon legislature. By limiting the number of bills considered, supporters believe that lawmakers can better balance constituent needs with legislative priorities, ultimately leading to more effective governance and better representation for Oregonians.
Source: Testimony Summaries
Arguments opposed
Reasons to oppose this legislation.
Opponents of the measure express concerns that it would undermine the legislative process, allowing governors to unilaterally introduce an unlimited number of bills without input from lawmakers. They argue that this would be unfair to the people and favor special interest groups over ordinary citizens. Some testifiers also question the effectiveness of limiting legislation to 25 pieces, citing potential constitutional issues with HB 4002. Furthermore, they believe that such a limit may not address the root problem of unnecessary legislation, which could lead to further inefficiencies in government.
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