Chapter 832 Oregon Laws 2007

 

AN ACT

 

HB 3563

 

Relating to Public Safety Strategies Task Force; appropriating money; and declaring an emergency.

 

Be It Enacted by the People of the State of Oregon:

 

          SECTION 1. (1) There is created the Public Safety Strategies Task Force consisting of six members appointed as follows:

          (a) The President of the Senate shall appoint two members from among members of the Senate. One member must be either an independent or a member of the Democratic party and one must be a member of the Republican party.

          (b) The Speaker of the House of Representatives shall appoint two members from among members of the House of Representatives. One member must be a member of the Democratic party and one must be a member of the Republican party.

          (c) The Governor shall appoint two members.

          (2) The task force shall:

          (a) Evaluate the amount of investments in state-funded programs, including but not limited to child development programs, to ensure that the funding effectively and efficiently reduces crime;

          (b) Evaluate the amount of investments in state-funded programs that effectively reduce crime rates and victimization rates by reducing recidivism rates;

          (c) Identify ways in which the state can increase support for state-funded programs that reduce criminal and delinquent behavior and reduce crime rates;

          (d) Identify ways in which the state can prevent citizens from becoming involved in crime;

          (e) Make recommendations in order for sentencing laws to better meet the principles of section 15, Article I of the Oregon Constitution;

          (f) Make recommendations based upon cost-benefit analyses of state criminal justice policies; and

          (g) Consider the best use of available resources to reduce crime rates and victimization rates and hold offenders accountable for their actions, including but not limited to the expanded use of DNA sampling, the expanded use of nationwide criminal background checks in jails, improvements in probation, parole and post-prison supervision, and the increased use of local jail beds by the Department of Corrections.

          (3) A majority of the members of the task force constitutes a quorum for the transaction of business.

          (4) Official action by the task force requires the approval of a majority of the members of the task force.

          (5) The task force shall elect one of its members to serve as chairperson.

          (6) If there is a vacancy for any cause, the appointing authority shall make an appointment to become immediately effective.

          (7) The task force shall meet at times and places specified by the call of the chairperson or of a majority of the members of the task force.

          (8) The task force may adopt rules necessary for the operation of the task force.

          (9) The task force shall consult with and may receive testimony from persons knowledgeable in, and representing diverse viewpoints on, public safety issues. These persons may include persons who are, or who represent, crime victims, district attorneys, sheriffs, police chiefs, police officers, public defenders, judges, prevention and treatment providers, corrections officers and criminologists.

          (10) The task force shall submit a report containing the results of its evaluations and its recommendations, which may include recommendations for legislation, to an interim committee related to the judiciary no later than October 1, 2008.

          (11) The Legislative Administrator shall provide staff support to the task force.

          (12) Members of the task force who are not members of the Legislative Assembly are not entitled to compensation or reimbursement for expenses and serve as volunteers on the task force.

          (13) All agencies of state government, as defined in ORS 174.111, are directed to assist the task force in the performance of its duties and, to the extent permitted by laws relating to confidentiality, to furnish such information and advice as the members of the task force consider necessary to perform their duties.

 

          SECTION 2. Section 1 of this 2007 Act is repealed on the date of the convening of the next regular biennial legislative session.

 

          SECTION 3. There is appropriated to the Legislative Administration Committee, for the biennium beginning July 1, 2007, out of the General Fund, the amount of $100,000 for the purpose of carrying out the duties of the Public Safety Strategies Task Force.

 

          SECTION 4. This 2007 Act being necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health and safety, an emergency is declared to exist, and this 2007 Act takes effect on its passage.

 

 

Approved by the Governor July 17, 2007

 

Filed in the office of Secretary of State July 19, 2007

 

Effective date July 17, 2007

__________