Bill Text: OR SJR39 | 2011 | Regular Session | Introduced

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Bill Title: Proposing amendment to Oregon Constitution relating to absences from legislative sessions.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 10-0)

Status: (Failed) 2011-06-30 - In committee upon adjournment. [SJR39 Detail]

Download: Oregon-2011-SJR39-Introduced.html

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     76th OREGON LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY--2011 Regular Session

NOTE:  Matter within  { +  braces and plus signs + } in an
amended section is new. Matter within  { -  braces and minus
signs - } is existing law to be omitted. New sections are within
 { +  braces and plus signs + } .

 LC 4022

                   Senate Joint Resolution 39

Sponsored by Senator STARR; Senators ATKINSON, BOQUIST, GEORGE,
  KRUSE, OLSEN, TELFER, THOMSEN, WHITSETT, WINTERS

                             SUMMARY

The following summary is not prepared by the sponsors of the
measure and is not a part of the body thereof subject to
consideration by the Legislative Assembly. It is an editor's
brief statement of the essential features of the measure as
introduced.

  Proposes amendment to Oregon Constitution to treat office of
member of Legislative Assembly as vacant if member accumulates
more than 10 unexcused absences during regular session of
Legislative Assembly. Requires each house of Legislative Assembly
to establish by rule process by which members obtain excuse for
absences.
  Refers proposed amendment to people for their approval or
rejection at next regular general election.

                        JOINT RESOLUTION
Be It Resolved by the Legislative Assembly of the State of
  Oregon:
  PARAGRAPH 1. The Constitution of the State of Oregon is amended
by creating a new section 34 to be added to and made a part of
Article IV, such section to read:
   { +  SECTION 34. + }  { + (1) The office of a Senator or the
office of a Representative shall be declared vacant if the
Senator or Representative accumulates more than 10 unexcused
absences during the course of a regular session of the
Legislative Assembly. The vacancy shall be filled as provided by
law, except that the person who accumulated more than 10
unexcused absences is ineligible to be appointed to fill the
vacancy.
  (2) Each house shall establish by rule a process by which a
member of the Legislative Assembly may be excused from committee
or floor sessions of the Legislative Assembly. An excuse obtained
pursuant to rules adopted under this section permits a member's
absence during the period for which the excuse applies to not
count as an absence under subsection (1) of this section. + }

  PARAGRAPH 2.  { + The amendment proposed by this resolution
shall be submitted to the people for their approval or rejection
at the next regular general election held throughout this
state. + }
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