February 28, 2024

 

HB 4002 Passes the Joint Committee On Addiction and Community Safety Response

 

Salem, Ore. – Yesterday, the Joint Committee On Addiction and Community Safety Response passed House Bill 4002 (with the -33 amendment). The amended bill will now be considered on the House and Senate floors. Representative Greg Smith (R-Heppner) was appointed to serve on the Joint Committee On Addiction and Community Safety Response the Friday before the 2024 Session began. The committee itself was tasked with reviewing Ballot Measure 110 and proposing solutions to the public safety and behavioral health crises the State of Oregon is facing. HB 4002 was the committee’s answer.

 

“This has been a collaborative effort, and a lot of work has gone into reforming Ballot Measure 110. By passing HB 4002, this is a step in the right direction. I’m hopeful this will give us the resources and ability to combat the drug crisis for the betterment of all Oregonians” said Morrow County Sheriff John Bowles.

 

“Umatilla County is in favor of Ballot Measure 110 reform. It is clear Measure 110 is not working. HB 4002 is a compromise that both sides of the aisle can live with, as evidenced by the committee’s vote,” said Umatilla County Commissioner John Shafer.

 

“HB 4002 will go a long way in correcting the Measure 110 issues we have seen over the last couple of years. As a member of the law enforcement profession, it will give us the tools to enforce law and it will allow us to use discretion when we need to divert individuals from our jails to addiction and/or behavioral health services,” said Wasco County Sheriff Lane Magill.

 

The bill establishes a Special Unclassified Misdemeanor for Possession of a Controlled Substance (PCS). By recriminalizing possession of a controlled substance, law enforcement is allowed to impose sanctions if a defendant fails diversion. The legislation carries stiff sentences for dealers who sell near parks, treatment facilities, and homeless shelters. The bill makes a technical fix to address previous court rulings that have prevented the successful prosecution of drug dealers. The bill will also provide funding for local communities to build deflection plans that will allow officers and prosecutors to divert people who could be charged with PCS toward pre-booking diversion programs when appropriate.

 

“I am pleased to support HB 4002 and the clear, meaningful, and simple solutions to the current drug crisis our state is facing. This bill recognizes police and prosecutors have a role to play in interdicting the supply of narcotics and intervening to protect people suffering from addiction,” said Umatilla County District Attorney and Oregon District Attorneys Association President Dan Primus.

 

“Representative Smith played a critical role in securing funding for our jail and has always been a strong advocate for law enforcement in Salem,” said Milton-Freewater Chief of Police Joe Shurtz, “we applaud him and his colleagues at the legislature for working collaboratively to craft bipartisan legislation that combines vital tools for law enforcement with significant drug treatment resources to compassionately help those struggling with addiction”.

 

On Saturday February 17^th, Rep. Smith hosted a listening session on Measure 110 in Boardman. There were 46 people in attendance (in-person) and over 2,200 people have viewed the recordings of the meeting. Rep. Smith heard from District 57 constituents regarding their thoughts on Measure 110 and how the legislature should go about solving the public safety and behavioral health crises in Oregon. There was overwhelming support in favor of reforming Measure 110.

“The passage of HB 4002 will help our communities become safer and help drug addicted individuals receive the treatment and help they need,” said Morrow County District Attorney Justin Nelson, “Representative Greg Smith went above the call of duty when he agreed to serve on the Joint Committee on Addiction and Community Safety Response and when he decided hold a townhall meeting regarding Measure 110 in his district to hear from his constituents. I attended that meeting and was amazed by the turnout and the individuals that spoke”.

“City leaders are the elected officials closest to the public, and as such, I and my colleagues from around the state have heard loud and clear the desire for an effective, humane response to Oregon’s community safety and addiction crisis,” said Hermiston Mayor and League of Oregon Cities President Dr. David Drotzmann, “Preliminary CDC data tells us Oregon experienced a 41% increase in overdose deaths from last year – this comes as no surprise to mayors, city councilors, and city employees who see the tragedy unfolding on our streets. HB 4002 will allow cities to intervene to protect the health and safety of those suffering from addiction but in a way that moves towards recovery”.

 

“This committee tackled very serious issues. It was critical that we strike a balance between criminal accountably and the need for adequate access to behavioral health resources,” said Representative Smith, “after much work and collaboration, I believe this bill will make meaningful improvements to the lives of Oregonians and I stand with our Police Chiefs, County Sheriffs, District Attorneys, Counties, and Cities in support of HB 4002″.

Representative Greg Smith is currently serving his twelfth term as a State Representative, making him the longest serving member in the Oregon Legislature, as well as the 4^th longest serving State Representative in Oregon history.  He holds a gavel as the Co-Chair of the Joint Ways and Means Subcommittee on General Government. Representative Smith also serves as the Co-Vice Chair of the full Joint Ways and Means Committee. Additionally, he is the ranking member on the House Revenue Committee. To reach out, please visit Rep Smith’s Facebook Page or send him an email at rep.gregsmith@oregonlegislature.gov

 

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CONTACT INFORMATION:

Representative Greg Smith

541-993-5236