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E-Bike Legislation Passes Oregon Senate

Legislation that updates definitions of e-bikes in the Oregon Vehicle Code passed the Oregon Senate. Trenton’s Law, named after Trenton Burger, the teen who was struck and killed by a vehicle this summer while riding a Class 2 e-bike in Bend, was introduced by Rep. Emerson Levy, D-Bend.

HB 4103 creates three classes for electric assisted bikes and states that only those 16 and older may operate a Class 2 and Class 3 e-bike. It also creates offenses for unsafe e-bike riding.

“This bill is just the first of many steps. Trenton’s Law is more than HB 4103, it’s a commitment to work on this for as long as it takes to make our infrastructure stronger for families, to support educational programs in our community, and to ensure everyone is safe on the road no matter their form of transportation,” said Levy.

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Oregon’s Right to Repair Act Passes House

Oregon legislation requiring manufacturing companies to make tools, information and parts available to consumers and third-party repair shops passed the Oregon House. The Right to Repair Act will give Oregonians the opportunity to more affordably fix products, such as phones, computers and appliances.

“As many Oregonians are struggling to make ends meet, this legislation is an opportunity to give people more choice on how to repair their devices, create pathways to saving consumers money, and reduce the harmful environmental impacts of our increased reliance on technology and the waste we create when we cannot repair,” said Rep. Courtney Neron (D-Wilsonville), a chief sponsor of the legislation.

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The City of Bend and The Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs Set to Sign Historic Agreement

On March 6, the Bend City Council will review and vote to sign a Memorandum of Understanding between the City of Bend and The Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs Reservation of Oregon. The MOU sets out to strengthen government-government relationships.

“As the original stewards of this land, we know that caring for and preserving our shared natural resources requires strong partnerships with other governments,” said Jonathan W. Smith, Sr., chairman of the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs Tribal Council.

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“The whole idea is for us to be able to give the police resource back to the community as much as possible.”

—Case Manager Krista Brown, from this week’s Feature story, “A Day With the Community Crisis Response Team.”

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$500 million

— The estimated cost of standing up an adequate number of behavioral health treatment beds in Oregon to meet the demand for mental health treatment in the state. From this week’s Feature story, “A Day With the Community Crisis Response Team.”

This article appears in Source Weekly March 7, 2024.