Rep. Paul Evans

Proposes amendment to Oregon Constitution to vest power of impeachment of statewide elected Executive Branch officials in House of Representatives and power to try impeachments in Senate. Requires three-fifths majority vote of House of Representatives to deliver impeachment resolution to Senate and two-thirds majority vote of Senate for conviction. Limits judgment to removal from office and disqualification from holding other public office. Refers proposed amendment to people for approval or rejection at next regular general election held throughout this state.

Modifies law regarding requirement that public employer grant preference to veteran or disabled veteran in selection process for civil service position. Limits eligibility for preference to veteran who applies for position within 10 years of discharge or release from service in Armed Forces of United States. Requires evidence of eligibility and disability to be provided at time of application. Sets forth processes for granting one or more preferences. Allows public employer to exercise discretion to not appoint qualified veteran or disabled veteran to civil service position based solely on veteran's or disabled veteran's merits or qualification in final stage of selection process. Requires public employer to provide written reasons for not appointing veteran or disabled veteran to position under certain circumstances. Requires aggrieved veteran or disabled veteran to exhaust nonjudicial remedies with Bureau of Labor and Industries before filing civil action for unlawful employment practice.

Authorizes Oregon Innovation Council to make grants to small businesses for seed and start-up capital and gap funding to create and support invention, innovation and economic development in rural areas of state. Authorizes council to provide monetary awards to winners of contests designed to attract invention, innovative and entrepreneurial solutions and opportunities in rural areas of state. Establishes Oregon Fund for Rural Small Business Development. Continuously appropriates moneys in fund to council to implement and administer grant program.

Directs Department of Education to coordinate with Oregon FFA Association to increase student achievement and improve college attendance and career placement for students enrolled in agricultural education courses. Directs department to establish grant program for purpose of funding extended duty contracts to agricultural and science educational programs during summer months. Directs expenses of grant program to be paid from High School Graduation and College and Career Readiness Fund. Declares emergency, effective on passage.

Establishes Oregon Educational and Workforce Development Bridge Loan Program in Department of Veterans' Affairs to conduct outreach and provide loans to veterans and disabled veterans who are enrolled in approved course of study, approved professional training, approved workforce development program or approved apprenticeship in connection with institution of higher education, and who are eligible to receive federal educational aid or other financial assistance that is temporarily unavailable. Establishes Oregon Educational and Workforce Development Bridge Loan Program Fund. Authorizes Director of Veterans' Affairs to use moneys in Veterans' Educational Aid Account for purposes of program.

Establishes Veterans' Services Fund pursuant to constitutional amendment approved in Ballot Measure 96 (2016). Declares emergency, effective on passage.

Creates income tax credit for investment in community gardens and food banks. Applies to tax years beginning on or after January 1, 2017, and before January 1, 2023. Takes effect on 91st day following adjournment sine die.

Establishes refundable tax credit against income or corporate excise taxes for employers in specified industrial sectors for wages paid to employees at or below specified rate. Modifies amount of credit based on year in which wages are paid. Disallows credit if employer is penalized for failing to comply with Oregon occupational safety and health laws and rules. Prohibits employer from receiving credit if employer has reduced wages with intention to qualify for credit. Limits total amount of credit that may be claimed per fiscal year. Applies to tax years beginning on or after January 1, 2017, and before January 1, 2027. Takes effect on 91st day following adjournment sine die.

Prohibits requiring high school diploma or General Educational Development (GED) certificate as qualification for obtaining limited specialty plumber license to install or replace residential water heaters.

Provides that "eligible location," for purposes of certain property tax benefits, includes location not formerly used for industrial purposes. Provides that "eligible property" may be property appraised either by county or by Department of Revenue. Provides that "eligible property" includes property constructed or installed at brownfield that is being cleaned up and cost of initial investment may include remaining cleanup costs. Clarifies definition of "rural area." Takes effect on 91st day following adjournment sine die.