Statehood · Regular
Sources being assembled1997 REGULAR SESSION
January 13 to July 5, 1997 · 69th Legislative Assembly · about 1 minutes to read
Some records are in hand, but the minimum evidence for a source-bound account has not been assembled.
Principal decisions
- 1. Measure 50 property-tax replacementReplaced Measure 47 with an assessed-value system and limits that changed local revenue growth and property-to-property burdens.
- 2. Reestablishment of the Oregon Law CommissionRestored a continuing interbranch law-revision institution.
- 3. State guaranty for school-district bondsChanged public-capital finance and borrowing risk.
- 4. HB 2954 repeal of Death with DignityVoters' rejection preserved the 1994 initiative and checked legislative reversal.
- Assembly
- 69th Legislative Assembly
The record is available; this account is still being prepared.
Some records are in hand, but the minimum evidence for a source-bound account has not been assembled.
Review the complete session-law and subject indexes, not only the selected chapter or a codification table. Reconstruct every contender and the failed/vetoed/referral universe from both chamber journals and original bill files. Research implementation, appropriations, enforcement, litigation, repeal/supersession, and affected communities for the selected outcome and strongest rival to equal depth. Acquire the controlling ballot, federal, judicial, executive, or local records needed to apportion causation rather than attributing downstream change to the session alone.
The measure index below is available in the meantime.
The legislative record
78 measures are indexed for this session; the 60 featured below are those the record marks as enacted, referred, or otherwise consequential. A brief story never recounts every routine measure.
| Measure | Subject | Disposition |
|---|---|---|
| HJR 12 | Proposes constitutional amendment to require that specified number of signatures for initiative petitions amending Oregon Constitution and for initiative petitions for proposed laws be collected in each congressional district. Submits resolution to people at next biennial primary election | Unknown |
| HJR 13 | Proposes amendment to Oregon Constitution relating to time limits in office for statewide elected officials and members of Legislative Assembly. Limits service in Legislative Assembly to 12 years in person's lifetime. Specifies when service to fill vacancy of legislative office counts for purposes of limits. Submits proposal to people at next general election | Unknown |
| HJR 15 | Proposes amendment to Oregon Constitution allowing use of certain taxes on motor vehicle fuel and of certain taxes paid in lieu of fuel taxes for funding state police patrol activities. Refers resolution to people at next regular general election | Unknown |
| HJR 18 | Proposes amendment to Oregon Constitution authorizing that certain fees imposed on owners of motor vehicles may be used for school transportation and transportation of elderly and handicapped persons. Refers resolution to people at next regular general election | Unknown |
| HJR 20 | Proposes amendment to Oregon Constitution to allow money from vehicle registration fee increase to be used for funding emergency medical services. Refers resolution to people at next regular general election | Unknown |
| HJR 21 | Proposes constitutional amendment to allow legislator to request review of administrative rule within 12 months after agency adopts, amends or repeals rule. Establishes joint legislative committee to review rules. Allows committee to suspend operation of rule. Submits resolution to people at special election on same date as next biennial primary election | Unknown |
| HJR 24 | Proposes constitutional amendment to require approval of all amendments to Oregon Constitution by two-thirds vote of people. Provides that initiative laws may not be substantially amended for period of five years. Refers resolution to people at special election held on same date as next biennial primary election | Unknown |
| HJR 26 | Proposes constitutional amendment to require Legislative Assembly to convene limited organizational session on second Monday in December in even-numbered year beginning in 1998 and to convene regular session on date established by joint rule. Limits length of regular sessions. Submits resolution to people at special election held on same date as next biennial primary election | Unknown |
| HJR 27 | Proposes constitutional amendment to restructure ballot titles for initiated or referred laws or constitutional amendments. Provides that voters will select either statement confirming current law or statement describing proposed law. Refers resolution to people at special election held on same date as next biennial primary election | Unknown |
| HJR 28 | Proposes constitutional amendment requiring 15 percent of total signatures required for state initiative petitions to be collected in each congressional district. Refers resolution to people at next biennial primary election | Unknown |
| HJR 29 | Proposes constitutional amendment to allow legislator to request review of administrative rule within 12 months after agency adopts, amends or repeals rule. Establishes joint legislative committee to review rules. Allows committee to suspend operation of rule. Submits resolution to people at special election held on same date as next biennial primary election | Unknown |
| HJR 3 | Exempts property from constitutional property tax limitations. Requires property be used in trade or business or for production of income and have real market value in excess of twice average real market value of single family residential property in this state. Requires revenues derived from taxes imposed as result of provision to be used to fund property tax relief for senior citizens and low and moderate income households. Applies to tax years beginning on or after July 1, 1999. Refers amendment to people at next regular general election | Unknown |
| HJR 30 | Amends Oregon Constitution to allow chief petitioner of state initiative measure to withdraw petition from ballot. Allows chief petitioner to direct that initiative petition be placed on ballot at statewide election following convening of regular session of Legislative Assembly if statewide election is ordered by Legislative Assembly. Specifies that if Legislative Assembly refers alternative measure to people, legislative measure and original initiative petition shall be identified on ballot as alternatives to each other. Specifies that if both measures pass, measure receiving highest number of affirmative votes is enacted. Refers resolution to people at special election held May 20, 1997 | Unknown |
| HJR 31 | Proposes constitutional amendment to require amounts received by state and available for general governmental purposes that exceed estimate by two percent or more to be returned to taxpayers. Refers resolution to people at next regular general election | Unknown |
| HJR 32 | Proposes amendment to Oregon Constitution relating to purposes for which compensation earned in prison work programs shall be used. Provides that inmates have no legally enforceable right to work or to compensation for work performed while incarcerated. Refers resolution to people at special election held on May 20, 1997 | Unknown |
| HJR 34 | Proposes constitutional amendment to require approval of all amendments to Oregon Constitution by two-thirds vote of people | Unknown |
| HJR 35 | Proposes amendment to Oregon Constitution relating to term limits and time in office for statewide elected officials and members of Legislative Assembly. Limits service in Legislative Assembly to 12 years in person's lifetime. Applies to terms of office beginning on or after December 3, 1992. Specifies when service to fill vacancy in legislative office counts for purposes of limits. Submits proposal to people at special election held May 20, 1997 | Unknown |
| HJR 36 | Proposes amendment to Oregon Constitution requiring state initiative petitions to be drafted by Legislative Counsel Committee. Mandates fee. Refers resolution to people at next biennial primary election | Unknown |
| HJR 37 | Requires amounts received by state and available for general governmental purposes that exceed estimate to be held in reserve. Requires reserve amounts in excess of seven percent of moneys available for general governmental purposes to be returned to taxpayers. Limits legislative authority to appropriate from reserves to specified economic conditions. Requires three-fifths vote in legislature to amend or repeal implementing legislation. Refers resolution to people at next regular general election | Unknown |
| HJR 39 | Proposes amendment to Oregon Constitution repealing constitutional authority and procedures for operation of Oregon State Lottery. Refers resolution to people at next regular general election | Unknown |
| HJR 40 | Proposes constitutional amendment to require approval of all amendments to Oregon Constitution by three-fifths vote of people. Submits proposal to people at special election held on same date as next biennial primary election | Unknown |
| HJR 42 | Proposes constitutional amendment to declare that people have right to defend themselves by any means reasonable under the circumstances. Refers resolution to people at next regular general election | Unknown |
| HJR 43 | Proposes amendment to Oregon Constitution allowing use of fuel tax money for acquisition, development, maintenance or care of parks or recreation areas. Refers resolution to people at special election on May 20, 1997 | Unknown |
| HJR 44 | Proposing amendment to Oregon Constitution to repeal constitutional authority and procedures for operation of Oregon State Lottery. Submits resolution to people at next regular general election | Unknown |
| HJR 45 | Amends Oregon Constitution, upon voter approval at next statewide general election, to eliminate existing state income and excise taxes and permit gross personal income taxes (flat taxes) at rate not to exceed five percent and net business profits taxes at rate not to exceed five percent. Applies to tax years beginning on or after January 1, 2000 | Unknown |
| HJR 46 | Proposes constitutional amendment to require approval of all initiative amendments to Oregon Constitution by three-fifths vote of people. Submits proposal to people at special election held on same date as next biennial primary election | Unknown |
| HJR 47 | Proposes constitutional amendment to require annual legislative sessions. Establishes time limits on both regular and special sessions. Imposes other restrictions. Submits resolution to people at next regular general election | Unknown |
| HJR 48 | Proposes amendment to Oregon Constitution to allow funds for public transit to be paid from fuel taxes and taxes on ownership, operation and use of a motor vehicle | Unknown |
| HJR 49 | Proposes amendment to Oregon Constitution relating to time limits in office for members of Legislative Assembly. Limits service in Legislative Assembly to 12 years in person's lifetime. Applies to terms of office beginning on or after December 3, 1992. Specifies when service to fill vacancy in legislative office counts for purposes of limits | Unknown |
| HJR 5 | Amends Oregon Constitution to double number of signatures required to propose initiative amendment to Constitution. Requires referral to people at next biennial primary election | Unknown |
| HJR 50 | Amends Oregon Constitution to allow chief petitioner of state initiative measure to withdraw petition from ballot. Specifies that if Legislative Assembly refers alternative measure to people, legislative measure and original initiative petition shall be identified on ballot as alternatives to each other. Specifies that if both measures pass, measure receiving highest number of affirmative votes is enacted. Refers resolution to people at special election held on same date as next biennial primary election | Unknown |
| HJR 51 | Proposes constitutional amendment. Specifies that initiative amendments to Oregon Constitution requiring expenditure of more than $5 million per year must contain new revenue source to pay for expenditure. Specifies that initiative amendments to Oregon Constitution that decrease taxes must contain specific spending cuts in amount that taxes are reduced. Submits resolution to people at special election held on same date as next biennial primary election | Unknown |
| HJR 52 | Amends Oregon Constitution, upon voter approval at next general election, to require submission to Legislative Assembly of state initiative petitions. Allows Legislative Assembly to refer, reject or take no action on proposed initiative amendment, or to refer alternative proposed amendment to people. Allows petitioner to withdraw initiative petition from ballot. Directs Secretary of State to place proposed initiative on ballot if Legislative Assembly rejects or takes no action on proposed initiative or refers alternative to people. Requires all elections on initiative or referred measures to be held in same year as regular session of Legislative Assembly. Specifies that if both proposed initiative and referred alternative measure appear on ballot in same election, and both are approved by vote of people, only measure receiving highest number of affirmative votes is enacted | Unknown |
| HJR 53 | Amends Oregon Constitution to limit number of state initiative measures on ballot at each election to 10. Submits resolution to people at special election held on same date as next biennial primary election | Unknown |
| HJR 54 | Proposes constitutional amendment to require that at least 15 percent of total number of signatures for initiative petitions amending Oregon Constitution and for initiative petitions for proposed laws be collected in each congressional district. Submits resolution to people at special election held on same date as next biennial primary election | Unknown |
| HJR 55 | Amends Oregon Constitution to increase number of signatures required to propose initiative laws and initiative amendments to Constitution. Applies to petitions circulated for November 2000 general election. Refers resolution to people at next regular general election | Unknown |
| HJR 56 | Amends Oregon Constitution to authorize imposition of sales and use tax not to exceed rate of five percent. Dedicates tax revenues to schools and revenue stabilization. Eliminates school property tax authority, except to pay principal and interest on bonded indebtedness. Limits maximum amount of income tax that may be imposed on individual to ___ percent. Limits state expenditures to existing levels. Permits adjustments to expenditure limit for changes in population and inflation or deflation, and upon vote of three-fifths of legislature to suspend limitation. Directs that moneys received by state in excess of expenditure limitation be retained for revenue stabilization. Requires that revenue stabilization moneys in excess of $500 million, and all interest earned by revenue stabilization moneys, be returned to taxpayers. Prescribes effective date of sales and use tax. Refers amendment to people at special election held on same date as next biennial primary election held throughout this | Unknown |
| HJR 57 | Proposes amendment to Oregon Constitution to allow state to issue general obligation bonds to finance cost of telecommunications and technology in schools. Provides that ad valorem tax shall be levied for payment of indebtedness and interest. Allows Legislative Assembly to use other revenues to replace or supplement ad valorem tax. Refers amendment to people at special election held on same date as next biennial primary election | Unknown |
| HJR 60 | Amends Oregon Constitution to eliminate property tax limitation (Ballot Measure 47, 1996) for property taxes imposed on or after July 1, 1998. Submits resolution to people at special election held on same date as next biennial primary election | Unknown |
| HJR 61 | Proposes amendment to Oregon Constitution relating to administrative rules. Provides that administrative rule adopted by state agency after certain date has no further force and effect after next adjournment sine die of Legislative Assembly following adoption of rule unless Legislative Assembly adopts | Unknown |
| HJR 62 | Amends Oregon Constitution. Prohibits initiative amendments to Oregon Constitution that would have a financial effect on the state per year in amount that exceeds two percent of General Fund in State Treasury. Refers resolution to people at special election held on same date as next biennial primary election | Unknown |
| HJR 63 | Amends Oregon Constitution to limit rate of tax on retail sales of goods and services. Refers amendment to people at special election held as provided in chapter ___ Oregon Laws 1997 (Enrolled House Bill 3483) | Unknown |
| HJR 65 | Proposes amendment to Oregon Constitution relating to administrative rules. Provides that administrative rule adopted by state agency after certain date has no further force and effect after next adjournment sine die of Legislative Assembly following adoption of rule unless Legislative Assembly adopts | Unknown |
| HJR 66 | Proposes amendment to Oregon Constitution to provide for spending limitation on state and local government entities. Refers amendment to people at next regular general election | Unknown |
| HJR 68 | Amends Oregon Constitution, upon voter approval, to allow state to issue general obligation bonds to finance cost of capital construction, maintenance and technology in public schools. Provides that education endowment fund may be used for payment of indebtedness and interest. Allows Legislative Assembly to use other revenues for payment of indebtedness and interest | Unknown |
| HJR 7 | Amends Oregon Constitution to add existing statutory state expenditure limitation. Refers resolution to people at next regular general election | Unknown |
| HJR 73 | Proposes amendment to Oregon Constitution to provide for annual legislative session limited to 150 calendar days each biennium as provided by law. Requires review of initiated and referred measures as provided by law. Refers amendment to people at special election held on same date as next biennial primary election | Unknown |
| HJR 74 | Proposes constitutional amendment to require initiative amendments to Constitution to relate to structure and powers of government, or to rights of people with respect to their government. Proposes that initiative amendments to Constitution shall not dedicate or appropriate revenue, repeal appropriations or require expenditures in excess of $500,000 per year. Submits proposal to people at special election held on same date as next biennial primary election | Unknown |
| HJR 75 | Amends Oregon Constitution, upon voter approval at next general election, to require submission to Legislative Assembly of state initiative petitions amending Constitution. Allows Legislative Assembly to refer, reject or take no action on proposed initiative amendment, or to refer alternative proposed amendment to people. Directs Secretary of State to place proposed initiative amending Constitution on ballot if Legislative Assembly rejects or takes no action on proposed initiative amendment or refers alternative amendment to Constitution to people. Specifies that if both proposed initiative amendment to Constitution and referred alternative amendment appear on ballot in same election and both are approved by vote of people, only measure receiving highest number of votes is enacted | Unknown |
| HJR 76 | Proposes constitutional amendment to require that initiative law shall not dedicate or appropriate revenue not created by law, repeal appropriations or require expenditures in excess of $500,000 per year. Submits amendment to people at special election held on same date as next biennial primary election | Unknown |
| HJR 77 | Amends Oregon Constitution, upon voter approval at next general election, to require submission to Legislative Assembly of state initiative petitions proposing statutes. Allows Legislative Assembly to enact, reject or take no action on proposed initiative statute, or to refer alternative proposed statute to people. Directs Secretary of State to place proposed initiative statute on ballot if Legislative Assembly rejects or takes no action on proposed initiative statute or refers alternative statute. Specifies that if proposed initiative statute and referred alternative statute appear on ballot at same election, measure receiving majority of affirmative votes and highest number of affirmative votes is enacted | Unknown |
| HJR 79 | Proposes amendment to Oregon Constitution to provide for spending limitation on state and local government entities. Refers amendment to people at next regular general election | Unknown |
| HJR 82 | Amends Oregon Constitution to modify number of signatures required to propose initiative laws and initiative amendments to Constitution. Refers amendment to people at special election held on same date as next biennial primary election | Unknown |
| HJR 89 | Proposes amendment to Oregon Constitution to allow Legislative Assembly to dedicate up to five percent of State Highway Fund moneys to alternative transportation projects. Submits resolution to people at special election held on same date as next biennial primary election | Unknown |
| HJR 9 | Proposes constitutional amendment to prohibit Secretary of State from counting signatures for initiative petitions gathered in violation of law. Refers resolution to people at next biennial primary election | Unknown |
| SJR 10 | Proposes constitutional amendment to increase percentage of voter signatures required for petitions to initiate laws and amendments to Oregon Constitution and to refer laws. Submits proposal to people at next biennial primary election | Unknown |
| SJR 11 | Proposes constitutional amendment to require approval of all amendments to Oregon Constitution by two-thirds vote of people. Submits proposal to people at next general election | Unknown |
| SJR 12 | Proposes amendment to Oregon Constitution requiring state to compensate private landowner for decrease in value of property resulting from government regulation. Applies to regulations adopted after January 1, 1999. Refers resolution to people at next regular general election | Unknown |
| SJR 13 | Proposes constitutional amendment to require that initiative laws and constitutional amendments take effect on July 1 following their approval. Refers resolution to people at next special election held on same date as next biennial primary election | Unknown |
| SJR 14 | Amends Oregon Constitution to allow House of Representatives to vote articles of impeachment for specified offices. Allows impeachment for malfeasance, crime, incapacity or negligence. Requires trial by Senate. Specifies effect of impeachment | Unknown |
Sources and evidence
Claim-level citations in the research ledger
- State v. Acremant — checksum snapshotPrimary · PDF p. 29original
- 1997 REGULAR SESSION comparative section tablePrimary · 1997original
- Oregon Public Finance: Basic FactsOfficial secondary · 1997 HJR 85 / Measure 50; May 20, 1997 ballotoriginal
- Oregon Constitution (2024 annotated edition)Primary · source notes and current textoriginal
- Constitution of Oregon, effective after the 2024 electionPrimary · source notes and current textoriginal
- Initiative, Referendum and RecallOfficial secondary · election entries associated with session referralsoriginal
- State v. Rodgers/Kirkeby — checksum snapshotPrimary · 347 Or 613; PDF p. 6original
- State v. Kuehne — checksum snapshotPrimary · 300 Or App 709; PDF p. 12original
- Oregon Constitution (2024 annotated edition)Primary · source notes and current textoriginal
- 1997 REGULAR SESSION comparative section tablePrimary · 1997original
- Constitution of Oregon, effective after the 2024 electionPrimary · source notes and current textoriginal
- Oregon Public Finance: Basic FactsOfficial secondary · 1997 HJR 85 / Measure 50; May 20, 1997 ballotoriginal
- Initiative, Referendum and RecallOfficial secondary · election entries associated with session referralsoriginal
- State v. Lane — checksum snapshotPrimary · 357 Or 621; PDF p. 3original
- Crocker and Crocker — checksum snapshotPrimary · 157 Or App 663; PDF p. 15original
- State v. Mansor — checksum snapshotPrimary · 363 Or 187; PDF p. 3original
- Constitution of Oregon, effective after the 2024 electionPrimary · source notes and current textoriginal
- 1997 REGULAR SESSION comparative section tablePrimary · 1997original
- Oregon Constitution (2024 annotated edition)Primary · source notes and current textoriginal
- Initiative, Referendum and RecallOfficial secondary · election entries associated with session referralsoriginal
- Oregon Public Finance: Basic FactsOfficial secondary · 1997 HJR 85 / Measure 50; May 20, 1997 ballotoriginal
- State v. Knapp — checksum snapshotPrimary · 289 Or App 147; PDF p. 9original
- Chronological List of Oregon's LegislaturesOfficial secondary · PDF pages [551, 553]original
- Initiative, Referendum and RecallOfficial secondary · election entries associated with session referralsoriginal
- Oregon Public Finance: Basic FactsOfficial secondary · 1997 HJR 85 / Measure 50; May 20, 1997 ballotoriginal
- Oregon Constitution (2024 annotated edition)Primary · source notes and current textoriginal
- 1997 REGULAR SESSION comparative section tablePrimary · 1997original
- Constitution of Oregon, effective after the 2024 electionPrimary · source notes and current textoriginal
Featured documents linked to this session (14)
- 1997 REGULAR SESSION comparative section tableSession research source · Oregon Legislative Counsel · Preservedoriginal
- Constitution of Oregon, effective after the 2024 electionConstitutional text · Constitution of Oregon · Preservedoriginal
- Constitution of Oregon, effective after the 2024 electionConstitutional text · Constitution of Oregon · Preservedoriginal
- Oregon Constitution (2024 annotated edition)Governance source link · Oregon Legislative Assembly · Linkedoriginal
- Oregon Constitution (2024 annotated edition)Governance source link · Oregon Legislative Assembly · Linkedoriginal
- Chronological List of Oregon's LegislaturesOfficial session chronology · Chronological List of Oregon's Legislatures · Preservedoriginal
- Chronological List of Oregon's LegislaturesOfficial session chronology · Chronological List of Oregon's Legislatures · Preservedoriginal
- Chronological List of Oregon's LegislaturesOfficial session chronology · Chronological List of Oregon's Legislatures · Preservedoriginal
- Initiative, Referendum and RecallOfficial ballot inventory · Initiative, Referendum and Recall Itemized Listings · Preservedoriginal
- Initiative, Referendum and RecallOfficial ballot inventory · Initiative, Referendum and Recall Itemized Listings · Preservedoriginal
- Legislative ResearchSession research source · Oregon State Archives · Inaccessibleoriginal
- Oregon Public Finance: Basic FactsGovernance source link · Oregon Legislative Revenue Office · Linkedoriginal
- Legislative Committee Records InventorySession research source · Oregon State Archives · Preservedoriginal
- Oregon Laws publication and ordering pageSession research source · Oregon Legislative Counsel · Linkedoriginal
About this account
Sources being assembled. Some records are in hand, but the minimum evidence for a source-bound account has not been assembled.
Edition dated August 31, 2026. Cite as: Oregon Governance Atlas, “1997 REGULAR SESSION,” edition September 2026 (historical cutoff 2026-08-31), https://oregon.portlandciviclab.org/sessions/or-leg-1997-state-regular-01.
BibTeX
@misc{atlas-or-leg-1997-state-regular-01,
title = {1997 REGULAR SESSION},
howpublished = {Oregon Governance Atlas, edition September 2026},
note = {Historical cutoff 2026-08-31},
year = {2026},
url = {https://oregon.portlandciviclab.org/sessions/or-leg-1997-state-regular-01}
}Research tasks for this session
Record classes not yet acquired: A complete review of the session's major decisions; Agency implementation, rules, and audits; Budget, revenue, and staffing records; Committee and floor votes; Committee records, testimony, and exhibits; Court decisions and constitutional interpretation; Enrolled laws, vetoes, and effective dates; House and Senate journals; Implementation and later consequences; Membership, officers, and political control; The session call and governor's messages.