Governor Signs Series of Legislation

Bills advance transparency in government, consumer rights, the environment and public safety.

Salem-News.com

(SALEM, Ore. ) - Governor Ted Kulongoski has signed a sequence of bills intended to help accelerate public record requests, improve the search for missing persons, expand the statute of limitations on Vioxx claims, ensure Oregonians their choice of auto repair shops, create bicycle awareness on roadways, ban offshore oil and gas drilling and add one faculty position on the Board of Higher Education.

The eight pieces of legislation the Governor signed today include:

Public Records (SB 671/SB 554): This legislation amends Oregon’s Public Records Law to require public institutions to release a condensed version of information that otherwise would be exempted under attorney-client privilege — without waiving those privileges. This legislation also expedites the public’s ability to receive the records by requiring government entities to respond without delay to requests for public documents.

Missing Persons (SB 351):Improving the search for missing persons within the first hours of their disappearance is critical in any search and rescue operation. This piece of legislation helps ensure that missing persons are found in a timely fashion by creating written standards for law enforcement to follow during missing persons cases and investigations. The legislation also expands the use of DNA in missing person cases and requires law enforcement to try to obtain a DNA sample of the missing person or from family members of the missing person.

Consumer Rights (HB 2448): This bill increases the time for compensation of defective products from two-years to a four-year statute of limitation in product liability or negligence actions for injuries, and a six-year statute of limitations in actions for death, based on the use of a “COX-2 inhibitor” such as Vioxx or Celebrex.

This legislation also ensures that patients harmed by Vioxx or similar drugs can have their day in court by addressing the “discovery rule” modification that would have made it difficult — if not impossible — for those who suffered side effects of the drug to bring a claim for compensation.

Choice in Auto Repair (SB 523): This legislation requires insurance companies to inform customers of their rights to get a vehicle repaired at the shop of their choice, and not just the shop recommended by the insurance agency, guaranteeing that all Oregonians are given correct information on which repair shops they can use.

Bicycle Awareness (SB 789):This bill establishes the “share the road” license plate, which will help raise awareness about cycling and other forms of transportation. Proceeds from the license plates will be used to raise awareness of cycling related accidents and injuries.

Offshore Drilling (SB 790):This legislation extends the moratorium on the leasing of Oregon’s Territorial Sea for Oil, Gas and Sulfer Production to limit it to three miles from the coast, helping protect the Oregon coast from threats of pollution from oil, gas or sulfur extraction accidents.

Higher Education (HB 2579):This legislation creates one new faculty representation on the State Board of Higher Education, expanding the Board to 12 individuals. The new board member must be faculty of an Oregon public university.