71st OREGON LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY--2001 Regular Session
 
SA to SJM 2
 
LC 1814/SJM 2-3
 
                      SENATE AMENDMENTS TO
                     SENATE JOINT MEMORIAL 2
 
    By COMMITTEE ON BUSINESS, LABOR, AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
 
                            April 19
 
  On page 1 of the printed joint memorial, delete lines 6 through
26 and insert:
  ' Whereas, within the federal political system of the United
States, the states are the units of government closest to and
most representative of the people of the United States; and
  ' Whereas the elected officials of the states are able to
understand and respond to the needs and problems of their
constituents and to develop laws and regulations that fit local
circumstances within their states and regions; and
  ' Whereas recent and proposed international trade agreements
appear to conflict with and could invalidate existing and future
state laws relating to economic development in urban and rural
communities, agriculture and food safety, taxation, land use
control, natural resource conservation, access to courts, labor
and human rights, business licenses, competition policy and
consumer protection; and
  ' Whereas foreign corporations and foreign investors are using
provisions in these agreements to challenge existing laws in
several states; and
  ' Whereas, under current State Point of Contact procedures of
the United States Trade Representative, members of state
legislatures are not directly involved in formulating or
overseeing provisions in trade agreements that impact their
lawmaking authority; now, therefore,'.
  Delete lines 28 through 31 and delete page 2 and insert:
  ' That the leaders of the United States Senate and the United
States House of Representatives are respectfully urged to empower
select committees in each chamber to study proposed and recently
approved international trade agreements to determine the extent
to which provisions in these agreements conflict with state
lawmaking powers; and be it further
  ' Resolved, That these select committees should be directed to
hold hearings throughout the United States to discuss their
findings with state and local elected officials within the states
and with citizens and to determine the effect of these agreements
on local communities and local governments; and be it further
  ' Resolved, That a copy of this memorial shall be sent to the
Senate Majority Leader, the Speaker of the House of
Representatives and to each member of the Oregon Congressional
Delegation.'.
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