House Bill 4002 moves out of committee
By Terry Murry on Wednesday, February 28th, 2024 in Columbia Basin News More Top Stories
SALEM – House Bill 4002, the Oregon Legislature’s attempt to fix problems from the state’s drug decriminalization Measure 110 passed with only two Democrats opposing it and is headed to the floor of both the House and Senate. The 10-2 vote came from the Joint Committee on Addiction and Community Safety Response.
Prior to that vote yesterday, the bill was the topic for an emotional hearing. Umatilla County District Attorney Dan Primus was one of only two prosecuting attorneys called to testify in that hearing. Primus, who is in his second year as president of the Oregon District Attorneys Association has testified during both the long and short sessions about the impact Measure 110 has had on Oregon’s communities. Committee member and Rep. Greg Smith (R-Heppner) said he provided the panel with vital information, including a rural perspective.
“He was very professional,” Smith said. “Dan Primus has been a good resource for me. He did a good job. He was the voice of all the DAs in Oregon.”
Primus has found himself being the subject matter expert on Measure 110 in Salem. He said after this second term at the helm of the ODAA, he is ready to leave that office and focus on the county. While his term ends in July, his duties for the organization in relation to the Oregon Legislature are winding down with this work on Measure 110.
“It’s been a great honor and an eye opener to work on behalf of the state,” he said of his testimony during both sessions of the legislature, but not without a cost. “I’m done. It’s been taxing on me and on my office.”
While Primus steps down in July, Smith said the issue of Measure 110 will not be fixed simply with the passage of House Bill 4002 which he believes will pass both houses. He predicted it will require more work in the 2025 long session. “I’m skeptical,” he said when asked if the passage would be the end of the road. He said many issues, including the impact of drugs on juveniles, had not been addressed and would likely dominate the next session of the legislature as well.
Photo by Rep. Greg Smith of Umatilla County District Attorney Dan Primus (center) testifying before the committee.
