PERS rules
What it does: In 2019, Senate Bill 1049 made changes to the Public Employees Retirement System, including redirecting a portion of member contributions toward pension benefits, capping the maximum salary for pension calculation, and allowing PERS retirees to work unlimited hours. The provisions that allow unlimited reemployment of retired PERS members are scheduled to end Dec. 31, 2024. HB 2296 A would extend the provision that allows unlimited reemployment of PERS members without a reduction of benefits until 2034.
What’s next: The Senate Labor and Business Committee has scheduled a work session Thursday, April 13.
Employment Relations Board procedures
What it does: The Employment Relations Board resolves disputes concerning labor relations for the employers and employees under its jurisdiction, administers the collective bargaining law that covers public employees, and hears and decides appeals from state employees concerning personnel actions. ERB is required to develop guidelines and procedures for authorizations designating bargaining unit representatives. HB 2573 A would require ERB to develop guidelines and procedures that would permit the use of electronic records and electronic signatures for authorizations designating bargaining representatives.
What’s next: The Senate Labor and Business Committee has scheduled a public hearing and possible work session Thursday, April 13.
Restorative justice records
What it does: The restorative justice grant program was established in 2021. During the 2021-23 biennium, the program funded eight public and private entities in the creation or expansion of community-based alternatives to the criminal and juvenile legal systems. SB 586 would make the restorative justice communications in community-based programs confidential, exempt from public disclosure, and inadmissible as evidence in any administrative or judicial proceeding except in limited circumstances.
What’s next: The House Judiciary Committee has scheduled a public hearing Thursday, April 13.
Use of force
What it does: SB 577 A would modify provisions of ORS 161.205 related to the use of force in public education programs and by parents and legal guardians against a minor child, seeking to align those provisions with current state law. It would also delete language related to the use of force against incompetent adults.
What’s next: The House Judiciary Committee has scheduled a work session Wednesday, April 12.
Legislative notes:
House Bill 2049 (Feb. 13 Legislative Briefs) would establish an Oregon Cybersecurity Center of Excellence to supplement the state chief information officer’s cybersecurity-related activities. The bill is scheduled for a Senate vote Monday, April 10.
Senate Bill 758 A (March 13 Legislative Briefs) would establish timelines and redacting requirements for records related to special education. The bill would also prohibit school districts from preventing or discouraging school employees or volunteers from taking certain actions in good faith and related to special education, including participating in official interviews during a complaint investigation; reporting a state or federal law violation involving special education and related services; sharing information with the student or the student’s parent about the services provided; reporting concerns about inappropriate restraint, seclusion or corporal punishment of a student to the student’s parent, the school or authorities; reporting suspected abuse or neglect; or reporting a suspected violation of a disabled person’s rights. Additionally, it would prohibit certain nondisclosure agreements between school districts and students, parents, school employees or school volunteers related to special education. The Senate Education Committee passed the bill with the -3 amendments, and it is scheduled for a Senate vote Monday, April 10.
