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2014-218-Minutes for Meeting February 26,2014 Recorded 4/30/2014
E: V• 1(I A Deschutes County Board of Commissioners 1300 NW Wall St.,Bend,OR 97701-1960 (541)388-6570-Fax(541)385-3202-www.deschutes.org MINUTES OF MEETING DESCHUTES COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS February 26,2014 7:30 AM Allen Room DATE/TIME: LOCATION: DEPARTMENT OR GROUP: BOCC&Administration ATTENDEES: L attached roster. PURPOSE OF MEETING: Legislative Update ITEMS DISCUSSED: 1. Central Oregon Legislator Updates 2. Deschutes County Priority Bills 4. Next Meeting See attached agenda for additional details. ACTION(S) TAKEN BY BOARD: 1. Assign HB 4055 (911 tax) as priority 3 /neutral. 2. Assign SB 1531 (marijuana regulation) as priority 2 / support. FOLLOW-UP REQUIRED: None. REPORT COMPLETED/SUBMITTED BY: Judith Ure NANCYUBLANKENSHIP,FCOUNTY CLERKDS CJ 7014118 COMMISSIONERS' JOURNAL 04/30/2014 07:55:31 AM 111111111111111111111121 BOCC- 7-03 PLEASE RETURN COMPLETED FORM TO THE BOCC SECRETARY Deschutes County Board of Commissioners Legislative Update February 26, 2014 Attendees On site: Alan Unger, Board of Commissioners Tom Anderson, Administrative Services Erik Kropp, Administrative Services Judith Ure, Administrative Services Chris Doty, Road Department Nick Lelack, Community Development Department Ken Hales, Community Justice Department Ed Keith, Forester Via telephone: Tony DeBone, Board of Commissioners Mike Mclane, State Representative Gene Whisnant, State Representative John Huffman, State Representative Mark Nelson, Public Affairs Counsel Justen Rainey, Public Affairs Counsel Jamie Christman, Bend Chamber of Commerce BOCC-7-03 PLEASE RETURN COMPLETED FORM TO THE BOCC SECRETARY DATED this 71, day of Vg/t- – 2014 for the Deschutes County Board of Commissioners. TAMMY BA Y, Chair (D ANTHONY DEBONE, Vice Chair aefaAA- ALAN UNGER, Commissioner ATTEST: 45Inx/pcui_, &ILE/L- Recording Secretary 4�iRa+ti,r.. q ys vu ►\r FFAIRS C tj + }',,.,,E 1 Deschutes County Agenda Wednesday, February 26, 2014 7:30am 1-866-279-1568 *8678842* 1. CENTRAL OREGON LEGISLATOR UPDATES a. Update on Legislator's Bills and 2014 Session II. DESCHUTES COUNTY PRIORITY BILLS a. Priority 1 Bills i. SB 1578 1. Referred to House Rules b. Priority 2 Bills i, HB 4048-Oppose 1. Work Session on 2/26/14 ii. HB 4056-Support 1. Public Hearing and Work Session on 2/25/14 HB 4134-Oppose 1. Passed to Rules with Sub to JWM c. Priority 3 Bills of Interest i. HB 4055-Neutral 1. Passed House 56-1 III. NEXT MEETING a. March 5,2014- 7:30am Public Affairs Counsel 2014 Regular Session Bill Summary Report Deschutes County SB 1578B Position Priority Date Input Bill Info Support 1 1/28/14 Summary: Modifies types of green energy technology for which at least 1.5 percent of total contract price of certain public improvement contract for construction or certain reconstruction or major renovation of public building must be spent. Status: 2/21/14 H-Referred to Rules by order of Speaker. 2/21/14 H-Work Session held. 2/21/14 H-Recommendation:Do pass with amendments,be printed B-Engrossed,and be referred to Rules. 2/20/14 H-Public Hearing and Work Session held. 2/19/14 H-Referred to Energy and Environment. 2/19/14 H-First reading.Referred to Speaker's desk. 2/18/14 S-Third reading. Carried by Knopp. Passed.Ayes,29;nays,1--Edwards. 2/17/14 S-Second reading. 2/14/14 S-Recommendation:Do pass with amendments and subsequent referral to Finance and Revenue be rescinded.(Printed A-Eng.) 2/14/14 S-Subsequent referral rescinded by order of the President, 2/13/14 S-Public Hearing and Work Session held. 2/3/14 S-Referred to Rural Communities and Economic Development,then Finance and Revenue. 2/3/14 5-Introduction and first reading.Referred to President's desk. HB 4048A Position Priority Date Input Bill Info Oppose 2 1/27/14 Summary: Provides that public body and its officers,employees and agents are not immune from liability for wrongful death of person who is covered by workers'compensation law if death occurred in course and scope of decedent's employment,death occurred as result of criminal conduct and decedent was not employed by public body at time of death. Status: 2/26/14 H-Work Session scheduled. 2/19/14 H-Public Hearing held. 2/1 7/1 4 H-Assigned to Subcommittee On Public Safety. 2/13/14 H-Referred to Ways and Means by order of Speaker. 2/13/14 H-Recommendation:Do pass with amendments,be printed A-Engrossed,and be referred to Ways and Means. 2/11/14 H-Work Session held. 2/3/14 H-First reading.Referred to Speaker's desk. 2/3/14 H-Public Hearing held. 2/3/14 H-Referred to Judiciary. HB 4056 Position Priority Date Input Bill Info Support 2 1/27/14 Summary: Prohibits county clerk or county recording officer from recording document that records death filed in conjunction with owning or having interest in land if document originated in this state and includes medical information related to cause of death. Status: 2/25/2014 11:07:06 AM 2 Public Affairs Counsel 2014 Regular Session Bill Summary Report 2/25/14 S-Public Hearing and Possible Work Session scheduled. 2/11/14 S-Referred to Rules. 2/10/14 S-First reading.Referred to President's desk. 2/6/14 H-Third reading.Carried by Whisnant.Passed.Ayes,59;Excused for Business of the House,1-- Jenson. 2/5/14 H-Second reading. 2/4/14 H-Recommendation:Do pass. 2/3/14 H-Public Hearing and Work Session held. 2/3/14 H-First reading.Referred to Speaker's desk. 2/3/14 H-Referred to Rules. HB 413413 Position Priority Date Input Bill Info Oppose 2 1/27/14 Summary: Directs Youth Development Council to allocate funds available to support community-based prevention and intervention programs and services based on indicators of need for youth ages 6 through 20. Status: 2/20/14 H-Referred to Ways and Means by prior reference. 2/20/14 H-Without recommendation as to passage,with amendments,be printed B-Engrossed,and be referred to Ways and Means by prior reference. 2/19/14 H-Work Session held. 2/13/14 H-Without recommendation as to passage,with amendments,be printed A-Engrossed,be referred to Rules,and then referred to Ways and Means by prior reference. 2/13/14 H-Referred to Rules by order of Speaker and then Ways and Means by prior reference. 2/12/14 H-Public Hearing and Work Session held, 2/3/14 H-Referred to Education with subsequent referral to Ways and Means. 2/3/14 H-First reading.Referred to Speaker's desk. HB 4141 Position Priority Date Input Bill Info Oppose 2 1/27/14 Summary: Provides that certain property tax exemptions and certain cancellations of property taxes do not apply to property taxes imposed by school districts or education service districts. Status: 2/5/14 H-Public Hearing held. 2/3/14 H-Referred to Revenue. 2/3/14 H-First reading.Referred to Speaker's desk. HB 4015A Position Priority Date Input Bill Info Neutral 3 1/27/14 Summary: Directs certain state agencies to use regional priorities for community and economic development in consideration of project funding decisions made in connection with grant,loan or incentive programs. Status: 2/25/14 H-Public Hearing scheduled. 2/17/14 H-Assigned to Subcommittee On Transportation and Economic Development. 2/14/14 H-Recommendation:Do pass with amendments,be printed A-Engrossed,and be referred to Ways and Means. 2/25/2014 11:07:06 AM 3 Public Affairs Counsel 2014 Regular Session Bill Summary Report 2/14/14 H-Referred to Ways and Means by order of Speaker. 2/13/14 H-Work Session held. 2/11/14 H-Public Hearing held. 2/6/14 H-Public Hearing and Possible Work Session cancelled. 2/3/14 H-Referred to Rural Communities. 2/3/14 H-First reading.Referred to Speaker's desk. HB 4017A Position Priority Date Input Bill Info Oppose 3 1/27/14 Summary: For purposes of litigation regarding local improvement district assessment or reassessment lien levied within certain dates by city,if owner or predecessor in interest objected to formation of district and assessment or reassessment was more than double real market value of property and exceeded real market value by more than$1.4 million,requires court to revise assessment or reassessment,if higher,down to dollar value of special benefit to property attributable to local improvement on date Status: 2/14/14 H-Referred to Rules by order of Speaker. 2/14/14 H-Without recommendation as to passage,with amendments,be printed A-Engrossed,and be referred to Rules. 2/13/14 H-Work Session held. 2/11/14 H-Public Hearing held. 2/3/14 H-Referred to Rural Communities. 2/3/14 H-First reading.Referred to Speaker's desk. HB 4024 Position Priority Date Input Bill Info No Position 3 1/27/14 Summary: Authorizes Bureau of Labor and Industries to adopt rules to implement provisions of statute requiring public employer to interview each veteran who applies for civil service position or eligibility list,if veteran has skills from military education or experience that substantially relate to civil service position. Status: 2/3/14 H-Referred to Veterans'Services and Emergency Preparedness. 2/3/14 H-First reading.Referred to Speaker's desk. HB 4037 Position Priority Date Input Bill Info Support 3 1/27/14 Summary: Authorizes county sheriff to designate county juvenile department or Oregon Youth Authority to provide direct transfer of juvenile offenders to youth correction facility as part of agreement with Department of Corrections or supervisory authority of county. Status: 2/24/14 S-Third reading. Carried by Prozanski. Passed.Ayes,30. 2/21/14 5-Recommendation:Do pass. 2/21/14 S-Second reading. 2/20/14 5-Public Hearing and Work Session held. 2/17/14 S-Referred to Judiciary. 2/17/14 S-First reading.Referred to President's desk. 2/14/14 H-Second reading. 2/25/2014 11:07:06 AM 4 Public Affairs Counsel 2014 Regular Session Bill Summary Report 2/14/14 H-Rules suspended.Third reading.Carried by Barton.Passed.Ayes,58;Excused,2--Hanna, Richardson. 2/13/14 H-Recommendation:Do pass. 2/11/14 H-Work Session held. 2/6/14 H-Public Hearing held. 2/3/14 H-First reading.Referred to Speaker's desk. 2/3/14 H-Referred to Judiciary. HB 4039A Position Priority Date Input Bill Info Neutral 3 2/5/14 Summary: Provides exemption from ad valorem property taxation for property of nonprofit corporation that, for tax year beginning on July 1,2012,was actually offered,occupied or used as low-income housing and granted exemption by county. Status: 2/21/14 S-Third reading. Carried by Baertschiger Jr. Passed.Ayes,27;excused,3--Beyer,Olsen,Winters. 2/20/14 S-Second reading. 2/20/14 5-Recommendation:Do pass. 2/19/14 5-Public Hearing and Work Session held. 2/14/14 S-Referred to Finance and Revenue. 2/14/14 H-Third reading.Carried by Berger. Passed.Ayes,56;Excused,3--Conger,Hanna,Richardson; Excused for Business of the House,1--Speaker Kotek. 2/14/14 5-First reading.Referred to President's desk. 2/13/14 H-Recommendation:Do pass with amendments and be printed A-Engrossed. 2/13/14 H-Second reading. 2/11/14 H-Work Session held. 2/5/14 H-Public Hearing held. 2/3/14 H-First reading.Referred to Speaker's desk. 2/3/14 H-Referred to Revenue. HB 4055A Position Priority Date Input Bill Info Support 3 1/27/14 Summary: Establishes procedures for collecting emergency communications tax on prepaid wireless telecommunications service and interconnected Voice over Internet Protocol service. Status: 2/26/14 S-Public Hearing and Work Session scheduled. 2/24/14 S-First reading.Referred to President's desk. 2/24/14 S-Referred to Finance and Revenue. 2/21/14 H-Second reading. 2/21/14 H-Rules suspended.Third reading.Carried by Berger.Passed.Ayes,56;Nays,1--Hicks;Absent, 1--Unger;Excused,2--Davis,Esquivel. 2/20/14 H-Work Session held. 2/20/14 H-Recommendation:Do pass with amendments and be printed A-Engrossed. 2/4/14 H-Public Hearing held. 2/3/14 H-Referred to Revenue. 2/3/14 H-First reading.Referred to Speaker's desk. HB 4080 Position Priority Date Input Bill Info Support 3 1/27/14 2/25/2014 11:07:06 AM 5 Public Affairs Counsel 2014 Regular Session Bill Summary Report Summary: Establishes procedures for collecting emergency communications tax imposed on consumers of prepaid wireless telecommunications service. Status: 2/4/14 H-Public Hearing held. 2/3/14 H-First reading.Referred to Speaker's desk. 2/3/14 H-Referred to Revenue with subsequent referral to Ways and.Means. HB 4089 Position Priority Date Input Bill Info Support 3 1/27/14 Summary: Limits length of incarceration court may impose when certain probationary sentences are revoked for reasons other than commission of new crime. Status: 2/11/14 H-Public Hearing held. 2/3/14 H-Referred to Judiciary. 2/3/14 H-First reading.Referred to Speaker's desk. HB 4099 Position Priority Date Input Bill Info Neutral 3 2/4/14 Summary: Directs Department of Justice to conduct study on laws of this state that would need to be amended if people of this state vote to legalize marijuana at next regular general election held throughout this state. Status: 2/24/14 H-Public Hearing held. 2/17/14 H-Assigned to Subcommittee On Public Safety. 2/12/14 H-Referred to Ways and Means by prior reference. 2/12/14 H-Recommendation:Do pass and be referred to Ways and Means by prior reference. 2/5/14 H-Public Hearing and Work Session held. 2/3/14 H-Referred to Judiciary with subsequent referral to Ways and Means. 2/3/14 H-First reading.Referred to Speaker's desk. HB 4106 Position Priority Date Input Bill Info Neutral 3 1/27/14 Summary: Exempts from property taxation real and personal property of history museum,natural history museum or science museum that is land on which museum is situated or that is used in conjunction with public displays,used to educate public,used to sell goods related to displays or educational purpose of museum,used to sell goods and services providing refreshment to public while visiting museum or used as theater for presentations about history or science. Status: 2/6/14 H-Public Hearing held. 2/3/14 H-First reading.Referred to Speaker's desk. 2/3/14 H-Referred to Revenue. HB 4112 Position Priority Date Input Bill Info Oppose 3 1/27/14 Summary: Requires tax collector of county in which real property is located to assign property tax lien to assignee if tax collector receives written authorization from property owner and payment of taxes and fee from assignee. 2/25/2014 11:07:06 AM 6 Public Affairs Counsel 2014 Regular Session Bill Summary Report Status: 2/3/14 H-Referred to Revenue. 2/3/14 H-First reading.Referred to Speaker's desk. HB 4119 Position Priority Date Input Bill Info Oppose 3 1/27/14 Summary: Permits contracting agency to solicit or use pricing policies or proposals or other pricing information to determine compensation for consultant providing certain services only after contracting agency has selected candidate and before entering into contract with consultant. Status: 2/14/14 H-Third reading.Carried by Hoyle. 2/14/14 H-Motion to refer to Rules carried.Referred. 2/13/14 H-Rules suspended.Carried over to February 14,2014 Calendar. 2/12/14 H-Second reading. 2/11/14 H-Recommendation:1)o pass. 2/10/14 H-Work Session held. 2/7/14 H-Work Session cancelled. 2/5/14 H-Public Hearing held. 2/3/14 H-First reading.Referred to Speaker's desk. 2/3/14 H-Referred to Business and Labor. HB 41 n Position Priority Date Input Bill Info Oppose 3 1/27/14 Summary: Requires state contracting agency or public corporation that implements information technology initiative to obtain,in separate procurement,quality management services from qualified contractor if value of information technology initiative exceeds$5 million or meets certain other criteria. Status: 2/19/14 S-Referred to Rules. 2/18/14 S-First reading.Referred to President's desk. 2/17/14 H-Third reading.Carried by Nathanson.Passed.Ayes,40;Nays,18--Bentz,Berger,Conger, Davis,Esquivel,Hanna,Jenson,Kennemer,Krieger,McLane,Olson,Parrish,Richardson, Sprenger,Thompson,Weidner,Whisnant,Whitsett;Excused,2--Hicks,Tomei, 2/14/14 H-Second reading. 2/14/14 H-Recommendation:Do pass with amendments and be printed A-Engrossed. 2/13/14 II-Work Session held. 2/6/14 H-Public Hearing held. 2/3/14 H-Referred to Consumer Protection and Government Efficiency. 2/3/14 H-First reading.Referred to Speaker's desk. HB 4144 Position Priority Date Input Bill Info Support 3 1/27/14 Summary: Establishes Oregon Investment Department as public investment agency to be supervised by director appointed by Oregon Investment Council. Status: 2/18/14 H-Referred to Ways and Means by prior reference. 2/18/14 H-Recommendation:Do pass and be referred to Ways and Means by prior reference, 2/25/2014 11:07:06 AM Public Affairs Counsel 2014 Regular Session Bill Summary Report 2/17/14 H-Public Hearing and Work Session held. 2/3/14 H-First reading.Referred to Speaker's desk. 2/3/14 H-Referred to Rules with subsequent referral to Ways and Means. HB 4155 Position Priority Date Input Bill Info Support 3 2/12/14 Summary: Authorizes Public Employees Retirement Board to establish procedures for recovering administrative costs from participating public employers for providing to those employers information or services needed to report in compliance with generally accepted accounting principles. Status: 2/24/14 S-Referred to Rules. 2/24/14 S-First reading.Referred to President's desk. 2/21/14 H-Rules suspended.Third reading.Carried by Berger.Passed.Ayes,57;Absent,1--Thompson; Excused,2--Davis,Esquivel. 2/20/14 H-Second reading. 2/20/14 H-Recommendation:Do pass. 2/19/14 H-Public Hearing and Work Session held. 2/12/14 H-Referred to Rules. 2/10/14 H-First reading.Referred to Speaker's desk. SB 1501 Position Priority Date Input Bill Info Support 3 1/27/14 Summary: Exempts energy savings performance contracts,under certain circumstances,from requirement to use competitive bidding process to award public improvement contracts. Status: 2/6/14 S-Possible Work Session cancelled. 2/3/14 S-Referred to Business and Transportation. 2/3/14 S-Introduction and first reading.Referred to President's desk. SB 1513A Position Priority Date Input Bill Info Support 3 1/27/14 Summary: Makes cost assistance available for reforestation of small forestland following loss from catastrophic fire event. Status: 2/12/14 S-Referred to Ways and Means by prior reference. 2/12/14 S-Recommendation:Do pass with amendments and be referred to Ways and Means by prior reference.(Printed A-Eng.) 2/11/14 S-Public Hearing and Work Session held. 2/6/14 S-Possible Work Session cancelled. 2/3/14 S-Introduction and first reading.Referred to President's desk. 2/3/14 S-Referred to Rural Communities and Economic Development,then Ways and Means. SB 1518 Position Priority Date Input Bill Info Neutral 3 1/27/14 Summary: Modifies definition of"supervisory employee"for purposes of public employee collective bargaining law. Status: 2/25/2014 11:07:06 AM 8 Public Affairs Counsel 2014 Regular Session Bill Summary Report 2/24/14 S-President signed. 2/24/14 H-Speaker signed. 2/21/14 H-Third reading.Carried by Matthews,Doherty.Passed.Ayes,54;Nays,3--Bentz,Huffman, Whitsett;Excused,2--Davis,Esquivel;Excused for Business of the House,1--Thatcher. 2/20/14 H-Recommendation:Do pass. 2/20/14 H-Second reading. 2/19/14 H-Public Hearing and Work Session held. 2/14/14 H-First reading.Referred to Speaker's desk. 2/14/14 H-Referred to Business and Labor. 2/14/14 S-Second reading. 2/14/14 S-Rules suspended.Third reading. Carried by Beyer. Passed.Ayes,18;nays,12--Baertschiger Jr, Boquist,Close,Ferrioli,George,Girod,Hansell,Knopp,Kruse,Olsen,Thomsen,Whitsett. 2/14/14 S-Recommendation:Do pass. 2/14/14 S-Motion to refer to Rules with the recommendation to adopt the-1 amendment failed.Ayes,14; nays,16--Bates,Beyer,Burdick,Dembrow,Devlin,Edwards,Hass,Johnson,Monnes Anderson, Monroe,Prozanski,Roblan,Rosenbaum,Shields,Steiner Hayward,President Courtney. 2/12/14 S-Work Session held. 2/5/14 S-Public Hearing held. 2/3/14 S-Referred to General Government,Consumer and Small Business Protection. 2/3/14 S-Introduction and first reading.Referred to President's desk. SB 1543 Position Priority Date Input Bill Info Neutral 3 1/27/14 Summary: Makes reduction of hours worked by full-time employee for sole purpose of preventing employee's eligibility for coverage under Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act unlawful employment practice. Status: 2/11/14 S-Public Hearing held. 2/3/14 S-Introduction and first reading.Referred to President's desk. 2/3/14 S-Referred to Health Care and Human Services. SB 1547 Position Priority Date Input Bill Info Neutral 3 1/27/14 Summary: Authorizes county governing bodies and small business employers to enter into agreements for reimbursement of portion of wages paid to youth employees. Status: 2/11/14 S-Public Hearing held. 2/3/14 S-Introduction and first reading.Referred to President's desk. 2/3/14 S-Referred to Business and Transportation,then Ways and Means. SB 1575 Position Priority Date Input Bill Info Neutral 3 1/28/14 Summary: Allows establishment in forest zone or mixed farm and forest zone of facility for utilizing raw logs. Status: 2/13/14 S-Public Hearing held. 2/3/14 S-Referred to Rural Communities and Economic Development. 2/3/14 S-Introduction and first reading.Referred to President's desk. 2/25/2014 11:07:06 AM 9 RTES DESCHUTES COUNTY Position Statement—HB 4048-3 February 19,2014 SUMMARY If enacted, House Bill 4048-3 would stipulate that a public body is not immune from a wrongful death suit in a situation where the decedent was covered under workers' compensation. HB 4048-3 was written to address one particular situation which recently occurred in Columbia County, Oregon. BACKGROUND In May 2012, a Columbia County Health Services Department employee was killed while delivering medication to a client's home. The employee's adult child received$16,000 in accordance with existing workers' compensation rules($2,500.71 per month until the age of 23). Apparently,the adult child was the only child/dependent/spouse concerned in this case. Listed below are the spouse and/or other dependent children payments required by the State of Oregon workers' compensation regulations: • Surviving spouse- $2,500.71/month for life. • Non-dependent minor children- $937.72/month until the age of 18. • Dependent minor children- $375.09/month until the age of 18. • Children or dependents attending higher education- $2,500.71/month until the age of 23. • Maximum total monthly benefit paid- $5,001.04/month. The estate of the deceased woman attempted to sue the State of Oregon,but was unsuccessful due to current law affording immunity to public entities in such cases. REASONS TO OPPOSE THE BILL • Even as amended, HB 4048-3 is still too broad and will create a great deal of additional liability for public entities as well as unnecessarily increase worker's compensation costs. • Insurance costs for cities and counties will increase as will litigation related to the constitutionality of excluding public employees from benefits under the bill. • The City County Insurance pool(CIS)opposes the bill and estimates that the annual fiscal impact to cities and counties from passage of HB 4048-3 will be$2.727 million. • Rob Bovett, an attorney for the Association of Oregon Counties(AOC),has said that the issue is not with the exclusive remedy provision,but rather with the inadequate death benefit provided by workers' compensation statute. 10 Oregon House approves 75-cent tax on prepaid phones for 911 service Page 1 of 1 Oregon House approves 75-cent tax on prepaid phones for 911 service berger.kotek.0315.1PG I Rep. Vicki Berger, R-Salem, (left) and House Speaker Tina Kbtek, D-Portland, worked on a compromise bill extending a 75-cent tax for 911 service to prepaid phones. (Don Ryan/AP) Christian Gaston I cgaston @oregonian.com By Christian Gaston I cgaston @oregonian.com Email the author I Follow on twitter on February 21, 2014 at 2:51 PMI The Oregon House approved a bill extending a tax for 911 service to prepaid cell phones Friday. i 1 House Bill 4055 passed by a wide 56-1 vote, belying the complicated political negotiations that led up to the vote. Under state law, phone companies are required to pay a 75-cent monthly tax for each telephone that can dial 911, but not all carriers are paying the tax for prepaid phones, which don't have monthly bills. Lawmakers have been trying to close that loophole for years, but disagreement over how to collect the tax -- either directly from phone companies or from customers at the"point of sale"-- has hampered their efforts. "I might even say we've been hung up on this issue,"said Rep. Vicki Berger, R-Salem, on the House floor, drawing laughter from her collea ties.Under the new bill, which now he ds to the Senate, the existing tax would be extended, with phone companies picking up the tab for repaid customers until October 2015, when a new 75-cent tax would be applied to the sale of prepaid minutes at retail. The bill is expected to raise $1.39 million in the 2015-17 biennium. That should help shore up funding for 911 service statewide, which has been declining as prepaid phones make up a larger share of the phone Christian Gaston © 2014 OregonLive.com. All rights reserved. http://blog.oregonlive.corn/politics__impact/print.html'?entry=/2014/02/oregon..housse__appr... 2/21/2014 11