Sen. Kim Thatcher

Establishes Joint Interim Legislative Committee to Review Economic Development Programs in Oregon. Directs committee to study and compile data regarding economic development programs, determine effectiveness of programs and make recommendations for consistent, statewide evaluation process. Requires report to interim committees of Legislative Assembly related to business and economic development no later than September 15, 2018. Allows committee to introduce legislation to implement recommendations. Sunsets committee on December 31, 2018. Declares emergency, effective on passage.

Provides that local government or special government body measure proposing increase in taxes may be submitted to people only at general election, unless otherwise provided in charter of city, county or metropolitan service district. Takes effect on 91st day following adjournment sine die.

Eliminates authority of metropolitan service district to make certain land use decisions, urban growth decisions and rural reserve and urban reserve designations. Prohibits metropolitan service district from adopting land use planning goals, enacting land use regulations, adopting regional framework plan, coordinating with special districts and serving as metropolitan planning organization. Permits metropolitan service district to advise, but not require, cities and counties to coordinate air quality, water quality and transportation planning.

Permits individual who has filed claim with insurer for benefits under insurance policy or brought action to seek compensation or damages for injury individual suffered as result of accident or crime to send written notice to health care provider to which individual owes debt for medical care or medical services stating that claim or action is pending. Prohibits health care provider that receives notice of pending claim or action from collecting, referring to debt collector or collection agency for collection, selling, assigning or otherwise transferring debt until later of specified dates. Permits health care provider to collect debt for which individual recovered partial proceeds from claim or action, up to limit of recovery. Tolls applicable statute of limitations on health care provider's right to collect debt during pendency of claim or action. Prohibits health care provider from reporting to credit reporting agencies that individual is delinquent, in arrears or otherwise unable or unwilling to pay debt during time in which claim or action is pending. Punishes violation as unlawful collection practice. Becomes operative 91 days after effective date of Act. Declares emergency, effective on passage.

Authorizes sheriff of county to issue concealed handgun license to any qualified person who is resident of Oregon.

Creates crime of patronizing a trafficked child. Punishes by maximum of 10 years' imprisonment, $250,000 fine, or both, if victim is child under 18 years of age. Punishes by maximum of five years' imprisonment, $125,000 fine, or both, if conviction is based on offer by or to law enforcement officer posing as child under 18 years of age. Directs Oregon Criminal Justice Commission to classify offense as specified crime category. Excludes certain evidence of past behavior of alleged victim or witness in prosecution for patronizing a trafficked child. Authorizes ex parte order for interception of communications when probable cause for patronizing a trafficked child exists. Adds crime of patronizing a trafficked child to list of crimes constituting racketeering activity. Adds crime of patronizing a trafficked child to definition of sex crime for purposes of sex offender registration. Adds allowing child to patronize a trafficked child to definition of child abuse. Repeals crime of purchasing sex with a minor.

Establishes Oregon Empowerment Scholarship Program for purpose of providing options in education to students of this state. Establishes qualifications for participation in program, qualified expenses under program and transfers of moneys made under program. Restricts number of students from each school district who may enroll in program for first 10 years. Establishes Department of Education Empowerment Account. Continuously appropriates moneys from General Fund to Department of Education for payment of department's expenses under program. Establishes Treasurer Empowerment Account. Continuously appropriates moneys from General Fund to State Treasurer for payment of treasurer's expenses under program. Establishes Oregon Empowerment Scholarship Account with State School Fund. Continuously appropriates moneys to Department of Education for purpose of making transfers under program. Declares emergency, effective on passage.

Requires community college or public university to expel any student convicted of riot.

Urges Governor and executive branch state agencies, when directed by Legislative Assembly to make unspecified reductions in state agency budgets or when responding to allotment reductions directed by Governor, to make reductions to programs and services in manner that causes least harm and inconvenience to persons agencies serve.

Allows person to carry concealed firearm on person or in vehicle if person can legally possess firearms under Oregon law and person is protected by court order and has pending application for, or appointment to submit application for, concealed handgun license.