Oregon Legislative Issues
Last updated on July 28, 2017 by Kevin Haas, Oregon ITE Legislative Chair
The 2017 Legislative Session began on February 1 and adjourned on July 7. Transportation funding was a major issue discussed during the 2017 Legislative Session and a comprehensive 10-year funding package at a cost of $5.3 billion was passed late in the 2017 Legislative Session.
The Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) closely tracks legislation related to transportation and publishes a Legislative Summary Report after every Legislative Session. The summary of the 2017 Legislative Session has not been published yet but a link will appear on this web site once it is published. If you have any questions or comments concerning Bills that passed during the 2017 Legislative Session or previous sessions please don't hesitate to contact me via email or by phone at 503-986-3583.
Key Bills passed during 2017 Legislative Session
Senate Bill 34
Expands “move over law” to include any motor vehicle that is displaying warning or hazard lights or specific indications of distress.
Senate Bill 35
Increases threshold amount before person is required to submit motor vehicle accident report.
Senate Bill 344
Similar to HB 2910 requires snowmobiles and certain all-terrain vehicles to cross highway at intersection or more than 100 feet from intersection. Permits road authority to authorize person in remote areas to operate all-terrain vehicle within portion of highway right of way designated all-terrain vehicle access route. Establishes All-Terrain Vehicle Access Routes Advisory Committee. Directs Oregon Transportation Commission to designate all-terrain vehicle access routes throughout state after consultation with advisory committee. Provides exemption from vehicle equipment requirements if person is crossing portion of high-way right of way designated as all-terrain vehicle access route.
House Bill 2017
Comprehensive 10-year transportation funding package at a cost of $5.3 billion.
House Bill 2409
Similar to SB 482 permits city to issue citation for speeding using red light camera in conjunction with other technology that is capable of measuring speed. Applies to speeding violations 10 miles per hour or greater.
House Bill 2597
Similar to SB 2 this bill renames offense of operating motor vehicle while using mobile communication device as offense of operating motor vehicle while using mobile electronic device. Defines ‘mobile electronic device.’ Increases penalty for offense.
House Bill 2682
Authorizes City of Portland to designate speed that is five miles per hour lower than statutory speed when highway is located in residence district and highway is not arterial highway.
House Bill 2721
Increases penalties for assault committed against flagger or highway worker who is performing official duties. Establishes Task Force on Road Worker Safety to study methods to increase safety of highway workers and flaggers.
Recap of Previous Legislative Sessions
These documents provide summaries of most transportation bills, with effective dates, and in some cases an ODOT staff person responsible for implementing the bill. The most recent ODOT Legislative Summary Reports are linked below. Contact ODOT Government Relations for copies of reports from previous Legislative Sessions.
2016 Legislative Session
The 2016 Legislative Session came to a close on March 3, 2016. There were 283 bills, memorials and resolutions introduced during the 2016 session and of those, the legislature passed 61.
2015 Legislative Session
The 2015 Legislative Session came to a close on July 6, 2015. There were 2,799 bills , memorials and resolutions introduced during the 2015 session and of those, the legislature passed 921.
National Legislative Issues
Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD)
Work is continuing on development of the next edition of the MUTCD, however recent information presented at the National Committee for Uniform Traffic Control Devices (NCUTCD) indicate that a new MUTCD may be delayed to 2018 or beyond. Any draft documents are typically posted as part of the Federal Register and are open for public comment for a period of 6 months. Once a draft document is released ODOT will be coordinating comments with the Oregon Traffic Control Devices Committee (OTCDC) which includes a representative from Oregon ITE.
The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) issued a final rule on the 2009 Edition of the MUTCD on December 16, 2009. ODOT offically adopted the 2009 MUTCD and an Oregon Supplement on December 21, 2011 as the official MUTCD for the State of Oregon. Practitioners need to familiarize themselves with both the 2009 MUTCD and the Oregon Supplement when performing work in the State of Oregon. You can view the latest information on the 2009 MUTCD and how it is applied in Oregon at the ODOT web site linked below.
Oregon MUTCD Information & Oregon Supplement to the MUTCD - This link provides access to a web page providing a FAQ on Oregon adoption of the 2009 MUTCD.
MUTCD Federal Register Notices- Information on Notices of Proposed Amendments (NPAs) and Final Rules (FRs) regarding the MUTCD.
Fixing America’s Surface Transportation (FAST) Act
On December 4, 2015, President Obama signed into law the Fixing America’s Surface Transportation Act, or “FAST Act.” It is the first law enacted in over 10 years that provides long-term funding certainty for surface transportation, meaning States and local governments can move forward with critical transportation projects, like new highways and transit lines, with the confidence that they will have a Federal partner over the long term.
Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act (MAP–21)
On July 6, 2012, President Obama signed a two-year re-authorization bill that extended federal transportation funding at relatively flat levels through several temporary extensions until the FAST Act was passed in December 2015. MAP-21
expired with the passage of the FAST Act in December 2015 however many MAP-21 provisions continue until the FAST Act provisions and programs become fully implemented.
Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD)
Work is continuing on development of the next edition of the MUTCD, however recent information presented at the National Committee for Uniform Traffic Control Devices (NCUTCD) indicate that a new MUTCD may be delayed to 2018 or beyond. Any draft documents are typically posted as part of the Federal Register and are open for public comment for a period of 6 months. Once a draft document is released ODOT will be coordinating comments with the Oregon Traffic Control Devices Committee (OTCDC) which includes a representative from Oregon ITE.
The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) issued a final rule on the 2009 Edition of the MUTCD on December 16, 2009. ODOT offically adopted the 2009 MUTCD and an Oregon Supplement on December 21, 2011 as the official MUTCD for the State of Oregon. Practitioners need to familiarize themselves with both the 2009 MUTCD and the Oregon Supplement when performing work in the State of Oregon. You can view the latest information on the 2009 MUTCD and how it is applied in Oregon at the ODOT web site linked below.
Oregon MUTCD Information & Oregon Supplement to the MUTCD - This link provides access to a web page providing a FAQ on Oregon adoption of the 2009 MUTCD.
MUTCD Federal Register Notices- Information on Notices of Proposed Amendments (NPAs) and Final Rules (FRs) regarding the MUTCD.
Fixing America’s Surface Transportation (FAST) Act
On December 4, 2015, President Obama signed into law the Fixing America’s Surface Transportation Act, or “FAST Act.” It is the first law enacted in over 10 years that provides long-term funding certainty for surface transportation, meaning States and local governments can move forward with critical transportation projects, like new highways and transit lines, with the confidence that they will have a Federal partner over the long term.
Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act (MAP–21)
On July 6, 2012, President Obama signed a two-year re-authorization bill that extended federal transportation funding at relatively flat levels through several temporary extensions until the FAST Act was passed in December 2015. MAP-21
expired with the passage of the FAST Act in December 2015 however many MAP-21 provisions continue until the FAST Act provisions and programs become fully implemented.