Recent budget cuts are not the only decisions legislators make that affect students. Bills read during Monday’s legislative session may have the power to affect student’s personal lives, their school and their community.
HOUSE BILL 2726
House Bill 2726 would mandate that chain restaurants across the state of Oregon would be required to publish nutritional information on their menus and menu boards. The rules already exist in Oregon’s Multnomah County and were implemented to ensure that citizens had access to caloric information at the moment they ordered food. The bill would also require restaurants to provide other nutritional information at consumer’s requests.
“Studies have shown again and again that consumers want to know what they are putting into their bodies, so they can take control of their own health,” Rep. Tina Kotek said.
A press release from Kotek’s office cited a recent study of similar legislation in New York City that found 9 out of 10 consumers are in favor of having access to this information, and 82 percent of consumers reported the information impacted what they ordered.
SENATE BILL 556
Senate Bill 556 would require certain places of public assembly to have automated external defibrillators. It would also require the place of assembly’s owner to ensure that there is a staff person trained to use the defibrillator. The bill could affect the University in situations such as sporting events, graduations and other large student gatherings. Currently Director of Athletic Events Services, Vicki Strand said that Mac Court and Hayward Field both have defibrillators on site, but that no one regulating or making sure there are trained personnell to use them. Autzen Stadium on the other hand, does not have defibrillators on site, but during games the EMTs hired come with defibrillators.
HOUSE BILL 2683
House Bill 2683 would prohibit the possession of replica firearms on school grounds under circumstances where the gun is not being used in a theatrical performance or instances where someone is licensed to carry a firearm. Rep. Sal Esquivel said the bill would include college campuses and prohibit students from carrying a fake weapon to preserve campus safety. “It’s unfortunate we have to take steps to draft a Bill to guard against something that should just be common sense, but we have to have some punishment for people who violate other people’s sense of safety,” he said.
HOUSE BILL 2722
House Bill 2722 would appropriate money from the state’s general fund to the department of education for the Start Making a Reader Today Program. The program is based in Portland but has several chapters throughout the state including one in Eugene. The Program seeks to spread literacy in elementary schools and has had many student volunteers in years past.
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