How does my attending the MHC meeting contribute to making laws that protect my rights?
The Manufactured Housing Coalition (MHC) is group of volunteer citizens who convene at the request of Oregon legislators to work through tough issues surrounding manufactured dwelling parks and floating home marinas. The idea behind MHC’s inception is that if you can get opposing stakeholders to come together to agree on certain legislative issues (such as floating home landlords and tenants) and collectively draft a proposed bill, then legislators can bring this bill to the House or Senate floor in full confidence that everyone’s voice was heard, key issues were raised and debated, and acceptable compromises were made for the good of the public whole. This process is far superior to one faction drafting legislation that has not been considered by any other stakeholder involved in the proposed law changes.
We, as part of the MHC, discuss issues, write draft legislation which a Senator or House Representative takes to the Oregon Legislative Assembly where it is debated and sometimes modified, and then possibly gets voted into law.
Oregon Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tina Kotek, is very supportive of resolving housing issues and works closely with the MHC to set policy in the Legislative Assembly.
HOW A DRAFT BILL BECOMES A LAW IN OREGON (Source: Oregon Blue Book):
Organization
Oregon’s Legislative Assembly is composed of two chambers, the Senate and House of Representatives. The Senate consists of 30 members elected to four-year terms. Half of the Senate seats are up for election every two years. The House consists of 60 representatives elected to two-year terms. Except in cases of persons selected to fill vacancies, legislators are elected in even-numbered years from single-member districts. Election by single-member district means that each Oregonian is represented by one senator and one representative. To qualify for a seat in the Legislature, one must be at least 21 years of age, a U.S. citizen and reside in the legislative district for at least one year prior to election. Each chamber elects presiding officers to oversee daily sessions and operations and perform other duties set by rule, custom and law. These officers are known as the president of the Senate and speaker of the House.
Functions
The primary functions of the Legislature are to enact new laws and revise existing ones, make decisions that keep the state in good economic and environmental condition and provide a forum for discussion of public issues.
The Legislature reviews and revises the governor’s proposed budget and passes tax laws to provide needed revenue. The Oregon Constitution requires that the state must not spend money in excess of revenue.
The Legislature also influences executive and judicial branch decisions. Laws enacted by the Legislature, along with adoption of the budget, establish state policy that directs all state agency activity and impacts the courts. The Senate confirms gubernatorial appointments to certain offices. To ensure that legislative intent is followed, the Legislative Counsel Committee reviews administrative rules of state agencies.
Legislative Process
During the 2015 Regular Session, 847 of 2,641 introduced bills became law. During the 2016 Regular Session, 124 of 253 introduced bills became law. Most of the discussion and revisions of bills and other measures are done in committees. The process begins when a measure is introduced and referred to a committee. The committee may hear testimony on the measure, frequently from members of the public, and may amend the measure and send it to the floor of its respective chamber for debate. The committee can also table the measure and end its consideration. Unlike many state legislatures, Oregon does not amend measures during floor debate.
After a measure has been considered by a committee and passed by the chamber in which it was introduced, it is sent to the other chamber where a similar procedure is followed.
If both chambers pass a bill in identical form, including any amendments approved by the other chamber, it is enrolled (printed in final form) for the signatures of the presiding officers and governor. The governor may sign the bill, veto it or let it become law without signature. The governor may also veto line items of appropriation bills, but may not veto an act referred for a vote of the people or an act initiated by the people.
The Oregon Constitution and state law require that deliberations of the Legislative Assembly and its committees be open to the public. The law also requires public notice of meetings and maintenance of public meeting records. These practices ensure that the legislative process is open to public scrutiny.
Effective Date of Laws
The regular effective date of a measure is January 1 of the year following passage of the measure. Some measures may contain a provision, such as an emergency clause, that specifies an earlier effective date.
The Oregon Constitution prohibits tax measures from having an emergency clause. This ensures that the people have the right to refer a tax measure for a vote by petition before it goes into effect.
Session Schedule
In 2010, voters approved a ballot measure referred by the Legislature requiring the Legislature to meet annually. Beginning in 2011, the Legislature convenes in February at the State Capitol in Salem, but sessions may not exceed 160 days in odd-numbered years and 35 days in even-numbered years. Five-day extensions are allowed by a two-thirds vote in both houses. In addition, the Legislature may hold an organizational session to swear in newly elected officials, elect legislative leaders, adopt rules, organize and appoint committees and begin introducing bills.
Special sessions to deal with emergencies may be called by the governor or by a majority of each chamber. For example, the Legislative Assembly called itself into a special session in 2002, 2006, 2008 and 2010, Governor Ted Kulongoski called for a special session in 2006, and Governor John Kitzhaber called for a special session in 2012 and in 2013.
Session Interim
After adjournment of regular or special sessions, the work of the Legislature continues. Legislators study issues likely to be important during future sessions, become acquainted with new issues, prepare drafts of legislation and exercise legislative oversight.
You can find the calendar of the Oregon Legislative Sessions here.