A note from Portland’s Pedestrian Advisory Committee (PAC):

Senate Bill 424 has a Hearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee next Tuesday March 29, 8:30 AM.

This is the Crosswalk Safety Bill (formerly known as the Hand Signal Bill) requested by the Willamette Pedestrian Coalition.

In past years, the PAC has encouraged and supported this legislation. This hearing is an opportunity to provide written or oral testimony.

• SB 424 can help improve pedestrian safety while crossing roads and highways.
• It can help reduce confusion among drivers about whether or not a pedestrian is intending to cross the street and allow them more time to stop safely.
• It gives pedestrians a tool to clearly and safely communicate to drivers their intent to cross without needing to step or roll out into a busy roadway. They may safely remain on the edge of the sidewalk.
• It provides a good education tool, among other lessons, for teaching our children and adults how to safely cross the street without going out into the road.

Links to the Bill:
http://www.leg.state.or.us/11reg/measpdf/sb0400.dir/sb0424.intro.pdf

Link to track changes to the hearing agenda and find more info besides what I pasted below:
http://www.leg.state.or.us/11reg/agenda/webagendas.htm

Date: Tuesday-March 29
Time: 8:30 A.M.
Room: 343

**This meeting will begin at 8:30 am**

POSSIBLE MEASURE INTRODUCTION

Public Hearing and Possible Work Session
SB 39 Requires Department of Justice to establish restitution collection pilot program in geographically dispersed counties or regions and to make grants to enable district attorney’s offices in participating counties or regions to employ one restitution clerk.

SB 415 Increases penalty for offense of violation driving while suspended or revoked if commission of offense contributed to serious physical injury or death of vulnerable user of public way.

SB 424 Clarifies that pedestrian is crossing roadway when any part or extension of pedestrian’s body moves onto roadway with intent to proceed.

Work Session
SB 495 Requires court or arbitrator to award reasonable attorney fees to prevailing plaintiff in action for fraud or based on untrue statement or omission of material fact in connection with sale or purchase of security.

SB 635 CARRIED OVER FROM 3/22/2011 AGENDA – Excepts from private security professional certification requirement person who provides security services as volunteer or for de minimis consideration other than money for event operated for benefit of nonprofit or federally tax exempt corporation.

SB 878 CARRIED OVER FROM 3/22/2011 AGENDA – Extends exception to private security professional licensing requirement to person employed for purpose of controlling access at entrance of premises by licensee of Oregon Liquor Control Commission.

Staff respectfully requests that you submit 15 collated copies of written materials at the time of your testimony and, if possible, an electronic copy of materials provided to staff 24 hours prior to the meeting.

Persons making presentations including the use of video, DVD, PowerPoint or overhead projection equipment are asked to contact committee staff 24 hours prior to the meeting.

ADA accommodation requests should be directed to Karen Hupp, or Juliene Popinga, ADA Coordinators, at employee.services@state.or.us or by telephone at 1-800-332-2313. Requests for accommodation should be made at least 72 hours in advance.