Rep. Gene Whisnant

Requires Oregon Volunteers Commission for Voluntary Action and Service to maintain volunteer staff of court appointed special advocates sufficient to meet statutory requirement to appoint court appointed special advocate in every juvenile dependency proceeding. Requires commission to meet National CASA Association standards for number of court appointed special advocates and cases that are supervised at any one time by supervisors in CASA Volunteer Programs. Appropriates moneys to commission for purpose of maintaining volunteer staff and supervisory levels. Declares emergency, effective July 1, 2017.

Directs Legislative Fiscal Officer to prepare fiscal impact statement on legislative measures reported out of committee that would have financial effect on small businesses in state. Transfers responsibility for revenue estimates upon which legislatively adopted budget is based to State Treasurer. Allows State Treasurer to contract with qualified nonpartisan public or private entity to prepare revenue estimates. Declares emergency, effective on passage.

Directs Oregon Criminal Justice Commission to collect data concerning revenue from and costs of sales of recreational marijuana and present data to Joint Committee on Ways and Means and committees of Legislative Assembly related to revenue during each odd-numbered year regular session.

Proposes amendment to Oregon Constitution to require Acts that declare emergency to contain justification statement explaining factual circumstances of emergency and how circumstances differ from normal circumstances so as to warrant declaration of emergency. Allows court of law to review justification statement to determine veracity or accuracy of statement. Directs court to strike declaration of emergency if court finds that justification statement is not fundamentally truthful or accurate. Provides for effective date of Act if court strikes declaration of emergency. Refers proposed amendment to people for their approval or rejection at next regular general election.

Requires Higher Education Coordinating Commission to recognize and endorse online, competency-based education as important component of Oregon's system of higher education and to select regionally accredited nonprofit online baccalaureate degree granting institution of higher education to work with and to integrate programs and services of institution into Oregon's higher education policy and strategy. Extends eligibility for receiving Oregon financial aid scholarships and grants to students attending institution selected by commission.

Provides that outside compensation of employee of public university or community college is not included in employee's salary for purposes of Public Employees Retirement System. Declares emergency, effective on passage.

Allows personal income taxpayers to subtract amounts paid as interest on qualified education loans from taxable income. Applies to interest paid in tax years beginning on or after January 1, 2017, and before January 1, 2028. Takes effect on 91st day following adjournment sine die.

Directs Legislative Fiscal Officer to include in fiscal impact statement on legislative measures reported out of committee statement describing number of full-time equivalent positions state agency will need to administer provisions of measure.

Directs Chief Education Office to work with Department of Education and school district boards to ensure that school districts provide quality civics education. Directs office to summarize efforts to improve civics education.

Requires agency to give notice of intent to adopt, amend or repeal rule to members of Legislative Assembly who represent geographic areas specifically affected by proposed action.