Legislation

FREE SPEECH: Funeral Protests (HB 3241) (2011)

In response to the nationwide publicity surrounding the Phelps family that operates the Westboro Baptist Church and their controversial demonstrations outside the funerals of fallen service members, HB 3241 was introduced.

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FREE SPEECH: Weakening Oregon's Constitution (SJR 28 & HJR 35) (2011)

The perennial attempt to weaken the Oregon Constitution’s free expression provision (Article I, section 8) to allow local governments to restrict nude dancing once again was introduced this session with constitutional amendments in both the Senate (SJR 28) and the House (HJR 35).

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FREE SPEECH: Weakening Oregon’s Constitution (HJR 34) (2011)

Introduced by Rep. Andy Olson (R-Albany), HJR 34 was a constitutional amendment to add language to Article I, section 8, allowing the legislature to enact laws regulating the furnishing of sexually explicit material to minors “consistent with the U.S. Constitution.”

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FREE SPEECH: Repealing Unconstitutional Free Speech Laws (HB 3323) (2011)

As noted in the article on HJR 34, the ACLU challenged portions of the 2007 laws that made it a crime to provide sexually explicit material to minors in Powell’s Books v. Kroger. Because the 9th Circuit held one law unconstitutional and a portion of another law unconstitutional, we looked for an opportunity to repeal those unconstitutional provisions.

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FREE SPEECH: Accessing Public Records (SB 392) (2011)

The ACLU opposed SB 392, which extends a special exemption to the public records law for the Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU). This law allows OHSU to redact the names and home addresses of those involved in animal research.

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FREE SPEECH: Update Free Speech Protections (SB 543) (2009)

At the request of ACLU cooperating attorney Charles Hinkle, we helped shepherd through a bill updating Oregon’s SLAPP law (Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation).

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FREE SPEECH: Public Records -- Restricting Access (HB 3094) (2009)

The ACLU opposed HB 3094, which extends a special exemption to the public records law for Oregon Health & Science University.

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FREE SPEECH: Amending Oregon Constitution (HJR 42) (2009)

The perennial attempt to amend the Oregon Constitution’s free expression provision (Article I, section 8) to allow local governments to restrict nude dancing once again was introduced this session.

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ACLU Opposes Measure 64 (2008)

Would Restrict Political Speech & Association Rights of Public Employees and Non-Profit Organizations

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Firefighters Fill the Boot (SB 1084) (2008)

One piece of unexpected legislation during this session was introduced by the Senate Majority leader on behalf of the firefighter’s union.  Concerned that they could no longer run their annual

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