Oregon’s legislature approved of one constitutional amendment related to the courts in 2011:
HJR 44 Redefines “judicial department” as “judicial branch”.
New laws or resolutions affecting the courts enacted or adopted by the Oregon legislature in 2011 include the following:
HB 2237 Recreates the Public Guardian and Conservator Task Force.
HB 2367 Allows governing body (currently county court) of counties with a population of 400,000 or less to offer law library services in lieu of acquiring, maintaining or operating law library through a contract with a law library association or other organization. Allows use of law library fees collected in circuit court to pay amounts agreed to under contract. Requires State Court Administrator to conduct biennial electronic survey of all county law libraries and law library services provided by counties.
HB 2403 Directs Judicial Department and other state branches/agencies to partner with Oregon Military Department to provide reintegration services for veterans
HB 2667 Specifies that court administrator is subject to direction of court in entering judgment for judgment by default. Updates statutory references to Oregon State Bar’s Lawyer Referral Service to include website address. Establishes, for declaratory judgment filings occurring on or after January 1, 2011, and before July 1, 2011, $117 filing fee. Requires, upon request, partial refund of any filing fee paid at higher rate on or after January 1, 2011, and before effective date of Act.
HB 2710 : Amends, creates, or redefines numerous laws related to court fees. Court Civil Revenues Account in General Fund and directs disbursement to state bar, to counties of law libraries, etc. Repeals Judicial System Surcharge Account.
HB 3102 Transfers authority over court appointed special advocates and CASA Volunteer Programs from State Commission on Children and Families to judicial branch.
HB 3525 Establishes Courthouse Capital Improvement Trust Fund. Appropriates moneys in the account to Oregon Department of Administrative Services, and limit uses of those moneys to payment of costs of capital improvements to county courthouses. Provides that 10 percent of amount awarded as punitive damages under verdict in civil action is payable to Attorney General for deposit in Courthouse Capital Improvement Trust Fund.
SB 360 Provides that prohibition on justice of the peace district including portion of city that is county seat, or portion of city in which circuit court regularly holds court, does not prevent justice of the peace from conducting arraignment for person in custody in city if accusatory instrument for offense was filed in justice court and offense was committed within boundaries of justice of the peace district.
SB 391 Specifies conditions under which tax court magistrate may hold outside office or position of profit or pursue outside calling or vocation.
SB 676 Directs Governor and Chief Justice to report to Legislative Assembly on plan to implement outcomes-based strategies.
