Legislative Briefs
Corporate kicker for schools
What it does: In 1980, voters approved a legislative plan for a surplus kicker tax refund. In 2012, Ballot Measure 85 required the corporate kicker to be dedicated to public K-12 education, and in 2013, legislation was passed that directed excess revenues from corporate income and excise taxes to the State School Fund. This year, the corporate kicker is projected to exceed $1.5 billion. HB 2257 would establish the School Safety Construction Fund for qualifying construction projects related to school safety, using the one-time money from the corporate kicker.
What’s next: The House Education Committee has scheduled a work session Monday, Feb. 27.
School contractor apprentices
What it does: SB 518 would require contractors and subcontractors who enter into qualified contracts with institutions of higher education and school districts to employ apprentices for 15% of the work hours that can be completed by apprentices; to provide workers with health insurance and retirement benefits; and to make good-faith efforts to encourage minority individuals, including women, economically disadvantaged individuals, the socially disadvantaged and service-disabled veterans, to become apprentices. The bill would also lower the contract price threshold for qualifying contracts from $8 million to $200,000.
What’s next: The Senate Education Committee has scheduled a public hearing Thursday, March 2.
Medication and firearm storage information
What it does: SB 551 would require school districts, education service districts, public charter schools and the Oregon Health Authority to provide access to information that addresses the importance of secure storage of medications and firearms on their website home page and social media accounts. The bill would also require that school districts, education service districts and public charter schools provide this information at least twice each school year electronically and in hard copy.
What’s next: The Senate Education Committee has scheduled a public hearing Tuesday, March 7.