Sen. Dallas Heard

Requires State Department of Agriculture to conduct four-year pilot program for replacing noxious weeds that supply pollen and nectar to pollinating insects with noninvasive forage plants offering similar benefit for pollinating insects. Requires department to report results of pilot program to interim committee of Legislative Assembly on or before September 15, 2022. Establishes Pollinator Forage Pilot Program Fund for purpose of carrying out pilot program. Provides for fund moneys not expended for pilot program to be transferred for use in issuing weed control grants to counties. Makes requirement for pilot program operative January 1, 2018. Declares emergency, effective July 1, 2017.

Creates limited landscape construction professional license. Specifies scope of work that holder of limited license may perform.

Proposes amendment to Oregon Constitution to require two-thirds majority vote in favor in each chamber of Legislative Assembly to pass bills declaring emergency. Refers proposed amendment to people for their approval or rejection at next regular general election.

Prohibits abortion unless physician has first determined probable post-fertilization age of unborn child, except in case of medical emergency. Prohibits abortion of unborn child with probable post-fertilization age of 20 or more weeks, except in case of medical emergency. Requires physician who performs or attempts abortion to file report with Oregon Health Authority. Requires authority to publish statistics relating to abortion.

Requires Higher Education Coordinating Commission to develop plan for enabling community colleges to offer associate's degree completed in coordination with credits earned in apprenticeship or training program. Requires commission to submit report detailing plan by December 1, 2018. Sunsets January 2, 2019. Declares emergency, effective on passage.

Modifies existing administrative rule review process to require legislative approval of newly adopted administrative rules in order for rules to take effect. Establishes process by which rules receive legislative consideration and approval or rejection. Takes effect only if constitutional amendment proposed by ___ Joint Resolution ___ (2017) (LC 1182) is approved by people at next regular general election. Applies to rules adopted by state agencies on or after January 1, 2019.

Establishes refundable tax credit against income or corporate excise taxes for employers in specified industrial sectors for wages paid to employees at or below specified rate. Modifies amount of credit based on year in which wages are paid. Disallows credit if employer is penalized for failing to comply with Oregon occupational safety and health laws and rules. Prohibits employer from receiving credit if employer has reduced wages with intention to qualify for credit. Limits total amount of credit that may be claimed per fiscal year. Applies to tax years beginning on or after January 1, 2017, and before January 1, 2027. Takes effect on 91st day following adjournment sine die.

Prohibits requiring high school diploma or General Educational Development (GED) certificate as qualification for obtaining limited specialty plumber license to install or replace residential water heaters.

Appropriates moneys to Department of Human Services for Oregon Hunger Response Fund program services. Declares emergency, effective on passage.

Increases, for purposes of tax credit allowed for crop donation, percentage of wholesale price allowed as amount of credit. Applies to tax years beginning on or after January 1, 2017, and before January 1, 2020. Takes effect on 91st day following adjournment sine die.