Bill Text: OR SJR31 | 2013 | Regular Session | Introduced

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Bill Title: Proposing amendment to Oregon Constitution relating to awards of noneconomic damages against religious organizations.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 14-0)

Status: (Failed) 2013-07-08 - In committee upon adjournment. [SJR31 Detail]

Download: Oregon-2013-SJR31-Introduced.html

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     77th OREGON LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY--2013 Regular Session

NOTE:  Matter within  { +  braces and plus signs + } in an
amended section is new. Matter within  { -  braces and minus
signs - } is existing law to be omitted. New sections are within
 { +  braces and plus signs + } .

 LC 3196

                   Senate Joint Resolution 31

Sponsored by Senator GIROD; Senators BAERTSCHIGER JR, BOQUIST,
  CLOSE, FERRIOLI, GEORGE, HANSELL, KNOPP, KRUSE, OLSEN, STARR,
  THOMSEN, WHITSETT, WINTERS

                             SUMMARY

The following summary is not prepared by the sponsors of the
measure and is not a part of the body thereof subject to
consideration by the Legislative Assembly. It is an editor's
brief statement of the essential features of the measure as
introduced.

  Proposes amendment to Oregon Constitution to limit awards of
noneconomic damages against religious organizations to $1
million.
  Refers proposed amendment to people for their approval or
rejection at next regular general election.

                        JOINT RESOLUTION
Be It Resolved by the Legislative Assembly of the State of
  Oregon:
  PARAGRAPH 1. The Constitution of the State of Oregon is amended
by creating a new section 12 to be added to and made a part of
Article XV, such section to read:
   { +  SECTION 12. (1) Noneconomic damages may not be recovered
against a religious organization in an amount that exceeds $1
million. The limitation imposed by this section applies to all
subjective, nonmonetary losses, including but not limited to
pain, mental suffering, emotional distress, humiliation, injury
to reputation, loss of care, comfort, companionship and society,
loss of consortium, inconvenience and interference with normal
and usual activities apart from compensated employment.
  (2) For the purposes of this section, a religious organization
is an organized church or group that is organized for the purpose
of worship or religious teaching, and that is exempt from federal
income taxation by reason of those activities. + }

  PARAGRAPH 2.  { + The amendment proposed by this resolution
shall be submitted to the people for their approval or rejection
at the next regular general election held throughout this
state. + }
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