Sen. Ted Ferrioli

Authorizes common school district, union high school district or education service district that is self-insured or that has independent health insurance trust to provide or contract for employee benefit plan other than plan provided and administered by Oregon Educators Benefit Board. Allows other specified district that has participated in benefit plan provided and administered by board to opt out of plan.

Clarifies total number of mature marijuana plants and immature marijuana plants and total amount of usable marijuana, medical cannabinoid products, cannabinoid concentrates and cannabinoid extracts that patients and caregivers registered under Oregon Medical Marijuana Act may possess.

Requires Secretary of State to conduct audit of State Forestry Department expenditures or obligations of certain allocations of lottery moneys for purposes related to federal forestlands. Requires that audit include certain information concerning projects or parts of projects for which department expended or obligated moneys. Establishes deadline for reporting audit results and information to Legislative Assembly. Declares emergency, effective July 1, 2017.

Proposes amendment to Oregon Constitution establishing commission to adopt legislative and congressional redistricting plans. Refers proposed amendment to people for their approval or rejection at next regular general election.

Allows local government to opt out of minimum wage increases in effect after July 1, 2016, with annual adjustment based on consumer price index. Applies to local government and employers under jurisdiction of local government. Declares emergency, effective on passage.

Creates income tax credit for certain employers that provide paid sick time. Applies to tax years beginning on or after January 1, 2018, and before January 1, 2024. Takes effect on 91st day following adjournment sine die.

Establishes tax credit for reforestation of commercial forestland following loss from catastrophic fire event. Makes tax credit applicable for losses incurred from catastrophic fire during fire loss years that begin on or after November 1, 2016, and end on or before October 31, 2022. Makes tax credit available for up to three tax years after year in which State Forester issues preliminary certificate for loss. Takes effect on 91st day following adjournment sine die.

Designates Act as Oregon First-Time Home Buyer Savings Account Act. Permits individual to create first-time home buyer savings account with financial institution to pay or reimburse qualified beneficiary's eligible costs for first-time purchase of single family residence. Requires account holder to submit to Department of Revenue information on designated forms and detailed account of first-time home buyer savings account activity. Directs department to prepare forms and distribute informational materials. Allows subtraction from account holder's federal taxable income amounts contributed to first-time home buyer savings account during each tax year. Exempts from taxation amount of interest and other income earned on account. Disallows subtraction or exemption from taxable income for person other than account holder who contributes funds to account. Provides that withdrawals for other than approved purposes are taxable income to account holder. Establishes amount and time limitations on subtractions and exemptions from taxable income. Applies to tax years beginning on or after January 1, 2018, and before January 1, 2024. Takes effect on 91st day following adjournment sine die.

Establishes Indian Health Scholarship Program to provide free tuition and fees for qualifying Indian health profession students in exchange for student commitment to work at tribal service site after graduation. Appropriates moneys for 2017-2019 biennium to Oregon Health and Science University for purpose of administering Indian Health Scholarship Program. Declares emergency, effective July 1, 2017.

Requires committees and subcommittees of Senate and House of Representatives, and joint committees and subcommittees of Legislative Assembly, to accept remote testimony given by telephonic or electronic means. Requires Legislative Policy and Research Director to post on legislative website procedures witnesses may follow to testify remotely. Requires director to post procedures within seven calendar days of adoption of resolution.