The Oregonian is reporting that on a party-line vote, the House approved sending a vastly complicated 23 page “fix” to Measure 37 to the voters.  (Remember, Measure 37 was the 3 page bill passed by 35 of Oregon’s 36 counties.) 
 
Representative Susan Morgan (R-Green) said, “Measure 37 was passed because Oregonians were tired of heavy-handed government planners dictating what they could or couldn’t do with their own land.  This legislation vastly and unnecessarily complicates the Measure 37 process, which the Legislature should have clarified and implemented after the initiative was passed.”
 
According to Senator Dave Nelson (R-Pendleton), here’s part of what HB 3540 would do.

• Modifications to the process for compensation of landowners for lost value due to land use regulations created in Measure 37;
• Allows persons who have already submitted a claim for compensation on land entirely outside an urban growth boundary and city limits to select one of three pathways – the unconditional path or “express lane” and which allows the claimant to establish up to three home sites on the property, the conditional pathway allows the claimant to establish between four and ten home sites on the property, or the vested rights pathway, which allows the claimant to continue to pursue their claim under M 37 if they have a vested right as of the effective date of the measure;
• It specifies requirements for the express land and conditional pathways;
• It establishes timelines for electing which pathway to pursue and for the processing of claims;
• Provides for transferability of development rights granted through the express and conditional pathways and specifies that development must be carried out within 10 years following the transfer of the property to a new owner;
• It revises the Measure 37 process for claims against future land use regulations;
• Restricts claims under Measure 37 to regulations affecting home sites, farm or forest practices;
• Limits relief under Measure 37 to development rights for home sites for dwellings or monetary compensation.
• Creates a position of Compensation & Conservation Ombudsman, to be appointed by the Land Conservation & Development Commission to assist landowners with submission of claims; and
• It clarifies other provisions within M 37.

According to the Oregonian, the bill also bans all commercial development, and many claimants would be limited to three homes.

Despite the fact that voters overwhelming approved Measure 7, and Measure 37 the legislature is forcing the bill back to the voter’s once again.  The special election, which will be held in September or November will cost taxpayers $1.6-1.8 million dollars.
This direct affront to Oregon voters by House Democrats is unbelievable.  When Representatives like Arnie Roblan, (D-Coos Bay) whose district approved of Measure 37 by 69% choose to follow party leadership instead of the will of their district, its clear that its time for a change.
 
It looks like Oregonians will have to lay the smack down on “heavy-handed government planners” once again.