OHA warns of Senate Bill 348

By Terry Murry on Tuesday, April 25th, 2023 in Columbia Basin News More Top Stories

PENDLETON – Democrats in the Oregon Legislature have introduced a number of gun control measures to either back up or make changes to Ballot Measure 114, which is now involved in court challenges in federal court in Portland as well as Harney County Circuit Court.

Oregon Hunters Association Blue Mountain Chapter spokesperson Terry Becktold says if Senate Bill 348 passes, it could seriously impact court challenges as to its constitutionality. It would require court challenges to Ballot Measure 114 to take place in Marion County.

“That makes it so a local judge like in Harney County, or our county cannot rule on any of these, that it can only be done in Marion County,” Becktold said. “Now, that’s really scary.”

Senate Bill 348 was approved by the Senate Judiciary Committee and has been moved forward to the Joint Committee on Ways and Means. As of the latest information available, that group has not scheduled any hearings on it. Both Rep. Greg Smith (R-Heppner) and Sen. Bill Hansell (R-Athena) are members of that committee.