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Oregon Lawmakers Say Police Oversight Shouldn’t Be Up for Bargaining To create a new police oversight board, Portland has to change state law. Credit: Wesley Lapointe
CHIEF SPONSOR: Sen. Lew Frederick (D-Portland)
WHAT IT WOULD DO: Senate Bill 621 amends state law regarding labor negotiations with public employee unions so that voter-approved police oversight boards could operate in full force and effect without being subject to mandatory collective bargaining.
THE PROBLEM IT SOLVES: SB 621 is inextricably linked to Measure 26-217, which Portland voters passed in November by a 4-to-1 margin. The measure, championed by Commissioner Jo Ann Hardesty, enshrined in the city charter a police oversight board that has the authority to investigate officers, compel officer testimony and other witness statements,