8/17/01-Gov. John Kitzhaber made good on a threat to veto a bill that would've increased the state's speed limit. The governor said he might have signed the bill if the Legislature had provided more money for additional state troopers to patrol roads.

SB502 authorized the state Department of Transportation to raise the speed limit from 55 mph to 65 mph for trucks and from 65 to 70 mph for cars on rural stretches of Interstates 5 and 84.

Kitzhaber, a former doctor, was concerned the speed increase would encourage drivers to drive even faster making the roads more dangerous. The bill's sponsor, Sen. Randy Miller (R-West Linn), said the veto will just continue the "fantasy" that the state is enforcing the 65-mph limit.

Oregon is one of only two states (Iowa) west of the Mississippi River with speed limits below 70 mph. The governor also vetoed 12 other bills bringing his total for the 2001 legislative session to 18.

7/27/01- Oregon passes speed limit bill
The Oregon House passed SB502 earlier this month to increase the speed limit on rural highways from 55 mph to 65 mph for trucks and from 65 mph to 70 mph for cars. The bill authorizes the state Department of Transportation, beginning in January 2002, to raise the limit on uncongested stretches of Interstates 5 and 84. SB502 is waiting for the Speaker of the House and Gov. John Kitzhaber's signature

6/25/01 - HB2142 has passed the Senate. The bill boosts the vehicle title fees from $30 to $90 for trucks and from $17 to $30 for cars to help pay for highway projects. Fees for less-used services, such as replacing lost licenses and reinstating driving privileges, also will increase.

5/14/2001 - Oregon trucker/voters, call your lawmakers. HB2881, introduced by Rep. Tim Knopp, would increase the speed limit on rural interstate highways to 65 mph for trucks and 70 mph for cars. The bill was referred to the House Transportation Committee on April 27.
SB502 would let the state Transportation Department change speed limits on rural highways. This bill's been referred to the Public Affairs Committee.
The bill status number is (503) 986-1180. The session is scheduled to end by mid-July.

4/24/01 - Two bills in the General Government and Transportation Committee bear watching. SB88 would increase speed limits on rural interstate highways to 75 mph for cars only, resulting in a 20-mph car-truck differential if it becomes law. It would be the worst differential in the country. SB502, introduced by Sen. Randy Miller, would allow the state Transportation Department to change speed limits on rural highways.
The bill status number for the Oregon Legislature is (503) 986-1180.

3/27/01-The Oregon Senate has approved a bill that would allow the state Department of Transportation to boost the speed limit on rural interstates and highways to 75 mph for cars only. According to Sen. Randy Miller's office, the bill's chief sponsor, Senators passed SB502 to the House, where it is expected to receive bipartisan support despite opposition from Gov. John Kitzhaber.
The proposed legislation would authorize ODOT to increase speeds after evaluating what is "reasonable and safe" for a particular highway. Sen. Miller, of Lake Oswego, called the bill the "most modest approach to get our traffic laws to coincide with the habits of our drivers." Citing ODOT's statistics, Miller told news reporters about 85 percent of the motorists along Interstate 5 between Portland and Salem travel at an average speed of 71 mph.
The bill has been sent to the House General Government and Transportation committee. A similar bill passed the Senate last session but failed in the House.

3/19/2001 - Heads up, Oregon truckers! The Oregon Legislature's General Government and Transportation Committee is holding a public hearing at 3 p.m. Mar. 21 at the state capitol building to discuss speed bills.
Two Senate bills would impact truckers. SB88 will increase speed limits on rural interstate highways to 75 mph for cars only. The bill will result in a 20-mph car-truck differential if it becomes law, the worst in the country!
SB502 will allow the Oregon Department of Transportation to change speed limits on rural highways.
The general information number for the Oregon Senate is (503) 986-1180.
Spread the word! The public hearing will begin at 3 p.m. on March 21. The address is the state Capitol building 900 Court Street, Room 343, NE Salem, OR 97301. Anyone unable to attend but wishing to submit testimony can fax information to (503) 986-1979.

2/12/01 - A bill introduced in the Oregon Legislature will increase speed limits on rural interstate highways to 75 mph for cars only. SB88 will result in a 20 mph car-truck differential if it becomes law, the worst in the country. SB88 will be discussed along with SB502 in a hearing not yet scheduled. SB502, introduced by Sen. Randy Miller (R-Lake Oswego) will allow ODOT to change speed limits on rural highways. The general information number for the Oregon Legislature is 503-986-1187.