Chapter 605 Oregon Laws 1999

Session Law

 

AN ACT

 

HB 3265

 

Relating to justice courts; amending ORS 51.050, 51.100, 51.300, 52.040, 54.160, 689.045 and 689.185; and repealing ORS 51.040, 51.060 and 52.050.

 

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

 

      SECTION 1. ORS 51.050 is amended to read:

      51.050. (1) Except as otherwise provided in [subsection (2) of] this section, in addition to the criminal jurisdiction of justice courts already conferred upon and exercised by them, justice courts have jurisdiction of all [misdemeanors] offenses committed or triable in their respective counties. The jurisdiction conveyed by this section is concurrent with any jurisdiction that may be exercised by a circuit court or municipal court.

      (2) Any defendant charged with a misdemeanor in a justice court after entering a plea of not guilty, shall be immediately notified of the right of the defendant to have the matter transferred to the circuit court for the county where the justice court is located. The election shall be made within 10 days after the plea of not guilty is entered, and the justice shall immediately transfer the case to the appropriate court.

      (3) A justice court does not have jurisdiction over the trial of any felony. Except as provided in ORS 51.037, a justice court does not have jurisdiction over offenses created by the charter or ordinance of any city.

      SECTION 2. ORS 51.100 is amended to read:

      51.100. [In an action to recover a penalty or forfeiture given by statute, the cause of action, or some part thereof, must have arisen within the county where the action is commenced, or upon a lake, river or other water bordering upon such county and opposite thereto; but otherwise than this the jurisdiction of a justice court does not depend upon where the cause arose; provided, that the plaintiff or defendant shall reside in the district where the action is commenced, or personal service can be had on the defendant in any district in the county; and further provided, that in counties having a population exceeding 80,000 inhabitants, no action in a justice court shall be commenced except in the district where the defendant resides or may be found, and if the defendant does not reside in the state the action may be commenced in any justice district in the state; provided, however, that where the plaintiff and defendant reside in the same justice of the peace district having a population of 5,000 or more and where there is a duly qualified and acting justice of the peace, the action shall be commenced in that district.]

      (1) Except as provided in this section, a civil action subject to the jurisdiction of a justice court must be commenced in the county where one of the parties resides.

      (2) If a defendant in a civil action subject to the jurisdiction of a justice court does not reside in this state, the action may be commenced in any justice district of this state.

      (3) If all parties reside in the same justice district, a civil action may be brought only in the justice court for that justice district.

      (4) Motions for change of venue in justice courts are subject to the same laws governing change of venue in circuit court.

      SECTION 3. ORS 51.300 is amended to read:

      51.300. A judge of the circuit court for a county, or any justice of the peace for a justice court district located within the county, may exercise the powers and duties of justice of the peace of any justice court in the county:

      (1) At the request of the justice of the peace of the justice court;

      (2) In the event of a vacancy in the office of the justice of the peace, until the vacancy is filled as provided by law; or

      (3) In the event of the absence, incapacity or disqualification of the justice of the peace, during the period of such absence, incapacity or disqualification.

      SECTION 4. ORS 52.040 is amended to read:

      52.040. ORS 33.015 to 33.155, defining contempts[,] and the [proceeding] proceedings for imposing sanctions for contempt, [shall apply] apply to justice courts[, except as otherwise specially provided in ORS 52.050].

      SECTION 5. ORS 54.160 is amended to read:

      54.160. [If a person duly summoned to attend a justice court as a juror fails to attend as required or to give a valid excuse therefor, the person may be fined by the justice in a sum not exceeding $10.] A person duly summoned to attend a justice court as a juror may be punished by the justice of the peace as provided for contempt of court if:

      (1) The person fails to attend the justice court as required or fails to give a valid excuse for not attending;

      (2) The person fails to give attention to matters before the jury;

      (3) The person leaves the court without permission while the court is in session; or

      (4) The person without valid excuse otherwise fails to complete required jury service.

      SECTION 6. ORS 689.045 is amended to read:

      689.045. If any provision of ORS [51.040,] 167.203, 414.325, 430.405, 435.010, 453.025, 475.005, 475.135, 475.185, 475.992, 475.995 and 616.855 and ORS chapter 689 is declared unconstitutional or illegal, or the applicability of ORS [51.040,] 167.203, 414.325, 430.405, 435.010, 453.025, 475.005, 475.135, 475.185, 475.992, 475.995 and 616.855 and ORS chapter 689 to any person or circumstances is held invalid by a court of competent jurisdiction, the constitutionality or legality of the remaining provisions of ORS [51.040,] 167.203, 414.325, 430.405, 435.010, 453.025, 475.005, 475.135, 475.185, 475.992, 475.995 and 616.855 and ORS chapter 689 and the application of ORS [51.040,] 167.203, 414.325, 430.405, 435.010, 453.025, 475.005, 475.135, 475.185, 475.992, 475.995 and 616.855 and ORS chapter 689 to other persons and circumstances shall not be affected and shall remain in full force and effect without the invalid provision or application.

      SECTION 7. ORS 689.185 is amended to read:

      689.185. (1) The State Board of Pharmacy shall meet at least once every three months to transact its business. One such meeting held during each fiscal year of the state shall be designated by rule as the annual meeting and shall be for the purpose of electing officers and for the reorganization of the board. The board shall meet at such additional times as it may determine. Such additional meetings may be called by the president of the board or by majority of members of the board.

      (2) The board shall meet at such place as it may from time to time determine. The place for each meeting shall be determined prior to giving notice of such meeting and shall not be changed after such notice is given without adequate subsequent notice.

      (3) Notice of all meetings of the board shall be given in the manner and pursuant to requirements prescribed by the state's applicable rules.

      (4) A majority of the members of the board shall constitute a quorum for the conduct of a board meeting and, except where a greater number is required by ORS [51.040,] 167.203, 414.325, 430.405, 435.010, 453.025, 475.005, 475.135, 475.185, 475.992, 475.995 and 616.855 and this chapter, or by any rule of the board, all actions of the board shall be by a majority of a quorum.

      (5) All board meetings and hearings shall be open to the public. The board may, in its discretion and according to law, conduct any portion of its meeting in executive session closed to the public.

      SECTION 8. ORS 51.040, 51.060 and 52.050 are repealed.

 

Approved by the Governor July 12, 1999

 

Filed in the office of Secretary of State July 12, 1999

 

Effective date October 23, 1999

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