DID YOU KNOW?
HB 760 by
Rep. Jay Morris
would require information to be provided to legislators on request. He told the
House and Governmental
Affairs Committee that the bill would improve legislative access to
executive branch information by allowing legislators to have quickly this, in an
understandable fashion.
Chairman Mike Danahay
asked whether this might become disruptive. Morris said better to have too much
information and to revisit the law if changes needed. He also had adopted an
amendment to protect individual data.
Rep. Rob Shadoin
pointed out that the bill allowed many more people than legislators to access
this information, but Morris said it would have to come at a legislator’s
discretion. Regardless, this could cause a lot of work, he argued. Morris said it
was necessary because the executive branch sometimes might not be entirely
forthcoming given conflictual interests.
Rep. Sam Jenkins said
the legislature can compel testimony. But Morris noted that this testimony
often lacked details or that testifiers said they did not have the information on
hand. Jenkins didn’t like the idea that a legislator could ask bureaucrats to
hand over information on demand without checking with superiors.
Rep. Lance Harris applauded
to bill, noting the difficulty in getting specific information from agencies.
He didn’t think legislators would just show up and make demands.
Rep. Gary Carter
cast aspersions on the bill’s motives, although claiming he didn’t extend that
to Morris, implying it criticized the current governor of his party that wasn’t
Morris’. Morris said more knowledge always is good. Carter questioned how the
bill affected deliberative aspects; Morris didn’t think it would affect that,
but Carter thought it too broad. In response, Morris said he would be open to
amendments that would not restrict unduly the purpose of the bill.
At that point, Morris asked for voluntary
deferment to work on that, which was granted without objection.
DID YOU KNOW?
HB 649
by Rep. Randal
Gaines would register people to vote automatically at driver’s license locations,
rather than just give the opportunity. He told the committee it would occur
unless the non-registered voter opted out and said 10 states have put such a
measure into law over the past three years. This, he alleged, would have more people
voting.
A witness noted that in Oregon turnout went up
after passage of this law, although he didn’t mention whether those people would
have registered and voted anyway, and that most did not choose a party
affiliation. Some states went further and did this in all offices where federal
law required the offer to register.
Danahay wondered about the process, finding it
nebulous. Supporters said amendments could make it more specific.
Representatives of the Secretary of State pointed
out numerous problems with the bill conflicting with the election code. Non-citizens
could be registered and registration would be delayed, to the point of disenfranchisement.
They also pointed out proof of increased turnout is contaminated by the election
calendar. The bill also would trigger some small additional costs.
Gaines closed by saying citizenship has to be
resolved in any event. Nonvoters disproportionately comprise youngest people,
which he said this could capture them and make them chronic voters. He said
issues of timing could be worked out.
Jenkins moved for passage, but Shadoin objected.
With a bare quorum, it failed 3-4 with all black Democrats present voting for
it and all Republicans present plus Danahay voting against. He voted, without
objection, for involuntary deferment.
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