Rep. Gene Whisnant

Modifies purposes for which school districts may receive grants to pay for costs incurred by school districts to purchase food produced or processed in state. Expands types of entities eligible to receive grants to assist in paying costs incurred to provide food-based, agriculture-based or garden-based educational activities in school districts. Appropriates moneys to Department of Education for grant programs that allow school districts to purchase Oregon food products and to pay for costs related to food-based, agriculture-based and garden-based educational activities. Declares emergency, effective July 1, 2017.

Authorizes city or county to adopt ordinance or resolution granting exemption for newly rehabilitated or constructed multiunit rental housing. Provides that otherwise eligible rental property may receive exemption for rehabilitation only once. Provides that exemption may be granted for term of up to 10 years depending on number of units rented to households with annual income at or below 120 percent of area median income under definition adopted by city or county at monthly rates affordable to such households. Requires city's or county's definition of "area median income" to be adjusted for size of household. Requires city or county to adopt definition of "affordable." Provides that ordinance or resolution granting exemption may not take effect unless rates of taxation of taxing districts whose governing bodies agree to grant exemption equal 51 percent or more of total combined rate of taxation on qualified property. Requires exemption to be granted to all eligible rental property on same terms in effect on date application is submitted. Allows city or county to amend exemption, subject to approval process of taxing districts, or terminate exemption, but provides that qualified property granted exemption continues to receive exemption under same terms in effect at time exemption was first granted. Provides for clawback of exemption savings if county assessor determines rental property does not meet requirements for exemption. Sunsets on January 2, 2027. Takes effect on 91st day following adjournment sine die.

Provides that portion of U.S. Highway 20 shall be known as Oregon Medal of Honor Highway. Authorizes Department of Transportation to install memorial markers that recognize and honor Oregon's Medal of Honor recipients in roadside rest areas and turnouts on U.S. Highway 20 . Takes effect on 91st date following adjournment sine die.

Requires each post-secondary institution of education to provide Higher Education Coordinating Commission with number of Oregon high school graduates from each school district enrolled at institution and graduation rate at institution for Oregon high school graduates from each school district. Requires commission to provide same information to Department of Education. Requires department to provide to each school district information received from commission that relates to high school graduates from that school district.

Requires each public university to submit to Higher Education Coordinating Commission report identifying causes of increases in administrative positions and other cost drivers at university. Requires commission to compile reports and submit compiled report to Joint Committee on Ways and Means as part of commission's budget presentation during each regular session of Legislative Assembly held during odd-numbered year.

Directs Secretary of State to appoint inspectors general to review spending of certain entities and identify inappropriate costs. Requires entities to deposit 75 percent of amount of inappropriate costs in General Fund and 25 percent of amount of inappropriate costs in Inspector General Fund to be used in carrying out activities of inspectors general. Establishes Inspector General Fund. Continuously appropriates moneys in fund to Secretary of State for purposes of carrying out activities of inspectors general.

Appropriates moneys to Department of Education for purposes of developing academic content standards for Oregon Studies and preparing materials to support teacher training and classroom instruction in Oregon Studies. Declares emergency, effective July 1, 2017.

Establishes personal income tax credit of $250 per dependent child. Limits availability of credit based on federal adjusted gross income. Applies to tax years beginning on or after January 1, 2017. Takes effect on 91st day following adjournment sine die.

Specifies that new or increased fees adopted by state agency do not become effective unless approved by Legislative Assembly by law. Applies during 2017-2019 biennium. Declares emergency, effective July 1, 2017.

Requires person to complete eight or more hours of community service before start of each term and to meet regularly with mentor provided by Office of Student Access and Completion in order to maintain eligibility to receive Oregon Promise grant.