Posts Tagged ‘Senator Jackie Dingfelder’

SB 1059 is the product of a diverse work group established in the 2009 session

Legislation that will help governments make decisions about how to develop smart, sustainable, and cost-effective transportation systems passed in the Senate this afternoon. Senate Bill 1059 lays the groundwork for communities to plan for future population and employment growth while reducing greenhouse gases.

“This bill deals with one important piece of the climate puzzle – transportation,” said Senator Alan Bates (D-Ashland), who carried the bill on the floor. “We must design our cities more efficiently, everything from timing our traffic signals to increasing our ability to run errands with fewer or shorter trips in the car. This bill sets the stage for progress.”

A task force established by the 2009 Legislature proposed Senate Bill 1059, which would assist Oregon’s six major metropolitan areas to develop plans to broaden transportation choices while also helping Oregon meet its greenhouse gas reduction goals. Read the rest of this entry »

House Bill 3613 extends prohibition until the year 2020

Oregon’s coast will be safe from oil exploration for another decade with legislation passed this morning in the Oregon Senate. House Bill 3613 extends similar legislation passed in 2007 until the year 2020.

“Extending this ban sends a strong signal about both how we value Oregon’s coast and our need to move away from oil dependence,” said Senator Jackie Dingfelder (D-Portland), chair of the Senate Environment and Natural Resources Committee. “This represents a significant step in protecting Oregon’s coastal communities, our fishing industry, and our stunning coastal ecological diversity.”

The U.S. Mineral Management Service estimates that under the entire Oregon and Washington outer continental shelf, there are 400 million barrels of undiscovered oil. According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, this amount would supply the entire country for only 20 days.

“Off shore drilling is a threat to Oregon’s valuable commercial fishing, aquaculture, tourism and recreational sectors,” said Senator Joanne Verger (D-District 5), who represents Oregon’s central coast. “The potential benefits of exploring the Oregon coast for oil is negligible compared to the major threat drilling would pose to Oregon’s coastal communities and jobs.” Read the rest of this entry »

Radon gas is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the U.S.

Legislation that will help reduce the risk of radon exposure for homebuyers passed in the Senate this morning. Senate Bill 1025 requires both radon-resistant construction standards for new homes and public buildings in areas with higher radon levels and notification for all homebuyers about the serious health risks associated with radon.

“Radon is a silent killer,” said Senator Jackie Dingfelder (D-Portland), chair of the Environment and Natural Resources Committee and chief sponsor of the bill. “Safe construction standards and testing are the only ways Oregonians can be confident that their homes are safe. This bill will help save lives by increasing awareness about the widespread risks of radon.” Read the rest of this entry »

Federal agreement follows 2009 legislation to phase out chemical in Oregon

SALEM – Senate Democrats welcomed news yesterday that the Environmental Protection Agency had reached an agreement with chemical manufacturers to phase out a toxic, endocrine- disrupting chemical, deca brominated diphenyl ether, otherwise known as Deca-BDE. Oregon’s Senate Bill 596, passed in the 2009 session, phases out use of the Deca-BDE in products bought and sold in the state.

“We made the case during the 2009 session that using this chemical was an unnecessary risk for the health of our children and safety of our environment,” said Senator Mark Hass (D-Beaverton), chief sponsor of the bill. “When we heard this bill in committee earlier this year, the industry said that we should wait for a national standard, but in the end it was the states that led the way. This proves that legislation passed at the state level can make a big impact on the standards we set across the nation.”

Brominated diphenyl ethers (BDEs) migrate from their host products into the environment and eventually into our bodies, where they build up in the fat tissue of people and animals. Studies show that Deca-BDE breaks down over time into more toxic forms, Penta-BDE and Octa-BDE, both of which have been determined to have serious negative health effects and were similarly phased out of the market in Oregon through legislation passed in 2005.

Senator Jackie Dingfelder (D-Portland), chair of the Senate Environment and Natural Resources Committee, credited the work of state legislatures like Oregon for putting pressure on industry to change their practices.

“This decision never would have happened at the federal level if the states weren’t pushing to get this chemical out of products,” said Dingfelder.  “The chemical industry spent millions of dollars lobbying to maintain the status quo, but as states stepped up to ban this product it made more sense for the industry to stop making this harmful product in the first place.”

According to the EPA, the two largest American producers and largest American importer of Deca-BDE have “committed to end production, importation, and sales of Deca-BDE for most uses in the United States by December 31, 2012, and to end all uses by the end of 2013.”

“Senate Democrats have a commitment to protecting the public health of our families,” said Senate Majority Leader Richard Devlin (D-Tualatin). “SB 596 is a good example of how we can set a standard for environmental excellence nationwide.”

While Deca-BDE is currently used widely as a flame retardant in a number of products, resorcinol bisdiphenyl phosphate (RDP) is a safer, technically feasible alternative to Deca-BDE. With passage of SB 596, Oregon followed Maine and Washington in their restrictive use of Deca-BDE.

HB 2186 outlines measures to met energy goals set in 2007 session

SALEM – Senate Democrats passed legislation this evening addressing climate change and improving energy efficiency, meeting a key goal of their 2009 legislative agenda. HB 2186 authorizes the Environmental Quality Commission (EQC) to adopt a Low Carbon Fuel Standard to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from transportation and conduct a study on retrofitting to improve aerodynamic drag on medium and heavy duty trucks.

“It is in Oregon’s self interest to be a leader in the very practices and technologies that will solve climate change because we will reap the financial gains of exporting those solutions to others,” said Senator Jackie Dingfelder (D-Portland), chair of the Senate Environment and Natural Resources Committee. “This is an important step towards meeting the goals Oregon has set for reducing greenhouse gases.”

The Oregon legislature adopted goals to reduce greenhouse gas emissions during the 2007 session. HB 2186 begins the process of defining the path to meeting these energy efficiency goals.

“This bill strikes a balance between the need to address our carbon output while not putting an unfair burden on Oregon business,” said Senator Rick Metsger (D-Welches), chair of the Senate Business and Transportation Committee. “Many hours of deliberation went into this bill and in the end we’ve created a product that is forward thinking and sensitive to these challenging economic times.”

The version of HB 2186 passed this morning was the product of a work group established after the bill was sent to the Senate. Significant provisions of C-engrossed bill include:

• A Low Carbon Fuel Standard to reduce lifecycle green house gas emissions from gasoline and diesel.
• A process to ensure that replacement parts for vehicle emissions control systems perform as well as the original equipment.
• A requirement for auto mechanics to check and fill tires when otherwise servicing vehicles to improve fuel efficiency.
• Authority to restrict unnecessary idling or commercial ships to reduce wasted fuel.
• A Metropolitan Planning Organization Task Force to look at other ways to reduce green house gas emissions through alternative land use and transportation scenarios. Read the rest of this entry »

HB 2377 now goes to the House for a concurrence vote

SALEM – The Oregon Senate approved legislation this afternoon that requires drivers to use hands-free devices with their cell phones when operating a motor vehicle. House Bill 2377 will take effect on January 1, 2010.

“This is a common sense safety issue,” said Senator Ginny Burdick (D-Portland), who carried the bill on the floor. “A ban on handheld cell phones will reduce traffic accidents, fatalities, and protect Oregonians.”

With final passage of HB 2377 Oregon will join six states, numerous municipalities, and the District of Columbia by prohibiting use of a hand-held cellular telephone while driving. Exceptions are provided for public safety and emergency personnel, persons operating a vehicle within the scope of employment, persons engaged in certain one-way communications, and FCC-licensed amateur radio and two-way radio operators. HB 2377 designates a violation as a primary offense punishable as a Class D traffic violation with maximum fine of $90.

“As  a cyclist, this is a really important step toward safe roads for everyone,” said Senator Jackie Dingfelder (D-Portland), a chief Senate sponsor of the bill. “Keeping both hands on the wheel may seem like a minor request, but there are already too many sad stories about drivers, passengers, and bicyclists being injured or killed because someone was distracted by a cell phone.”

HB 2377 was introduced in the House by Representatives Carolyn Tomei (D-Milwaukie) and Sal Esquivel (R-Medford). Senator Bill Morrisette (D-Springfield) was also a chief Senate sponsor.

Senate Bill 676 clears the way for crop to be grown and sold in Oregon

SALEM – In a bipartisan vote, the Oregon Senate voted to join 15 other states today by passing legislation that outlines state practices for the growth and sale of industrial hemp. SB 676 authorizes the production, possession and commerce in industrial hemp commodities and products.

“Senate Bill 676 will allow farmers to re-establish industrial hemp as an agricultural crop in Oregon,” said Senator Floyd Prozanski (D-Eugene), who carried the bill on the floor. “Industrial hemp is an innovative crop that is regaining its popularity across the globe. This legislation sets the course for growing and selling this high-demand crop in Oregon.”

SB 676 identifies that industrial hemp is an agricultural product that is subject to regulation by the Department of Agriculture and requires that all growers and handlers have an industrial hemp license issued by the Department.  Additionally, the Department will establish a field inspection program, a certifications process for hemp seed, and a civil penalty procedure for violations.

“We heard a lot of positive testimony on this bill in committee,” said Senator Jackie Dingfelder (D-Portland), chair of the Senate Environment and Natural Resources Committee. “Senate Bill 676 clears the way for this product to be added to Oregon’s diverse portfolio of agricultural products.” Read the rest of this entry »

HB 3162 protects employees who report illegal activities in the workplace

SALEM – A bill establishing discrimination against whistleblowers as an unlawful employment practice cleared its final legislative vote in the Senate this morning. Under HB 3162, employees who are singled out for reporting a violation of state or federal law, regulation, or rule will be able to file a complaint against their employer with either the Bureau of Labor and Industries Civil Rights Division or with a circuit court or federal district court.

“It takes courage to step up and draw attention to illegal activities in the workplace,” said Senator Diane Rosenbaum (D-Portland), who carried the bill on the floor. “Those workers need to know that they will have recourse if they are retaliated against because of their actions.”

HB 3162, introduced by Representative Judy Stiegler (D-Bend) in the House, establishes new provisions in statute that prohibit employers from discriminating or retaliating against any employee if the employee has in good faith reported something they believe is evidence of a violation of law.
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Bill helps Oregonians save water, lower utility bills

Legislation allowing the use of gray water in residential neighborhoods passed off the Senate floor this morning. With HB 2080, Oregon joins Washington, California, Arizona, New Mexico, and Nevada in states that allow residents to reuse uncontaminated gray water, like sink or shower water, to water areas around their homes.

Currently, only businesses are allowed to reuse gray water, while all gray water created in a residential area is treated as waste. HB 2080 will allow the state Department of Environmental Quality to establish guidelines for when it is appropriate for people to use uncontaminated gray water  in their homes. Using gray water can provide extra savings by cutting down on overall consumption. In Portland, the average residence consumes 170 gallons per day.  As much of half of that – or 85 gallons per day – could potentially be re-used.

HB 2080  was the product of the House Interim Committee on Energy and the Environment and was carried this morning on the floor by Senator Jackie Dingfelder (D-Portland). The bill will now go to the Governor’s office for his signature.

SB 739 will require home sellers to test for additional chemicals

SALEM – Arsenic will be added to the list of chemicals tested in residential wells under legislation passed today in the Senate. Since 1989, Oregon law has required that a seller of any real estate that includes a well that supplies ground water for domestic purposes must test for nitrate and total coliform bacteria. SB 739 will add arsenic to that list

“Home buyers deserve to know what’s in their water,” said Senator Jackie Dingfelder (D-Portland), chair of Environment and Natural Resources Committee. “This is a simple, inexpensive test that will give new homeowners the information they need to ensure their drinking water is safe.”

As many as 600,000 Oregonians rely on home wells for their drinking water. Scientific evidence has shown that exposure to low levels of arsenic in drinking water over long periods of time increases the risk of internal organ cancers.

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