Modeled after the concept of utilizing fiscal and environmental impact statements before pursuing legislation that might affect the state’s budget or projects that might affect environmental interests, SB 463 sets up a process for racial impact statements to inform legislative action in Salem.
The bill provides for one legislator from each party to request together that the Criminal Justice Commission prepare a racial and ethnic impact statement that describes the effects of specific legislation on the racial and ethnic composition of the criminal offender population or recipients of human services. The overrepresentation of people of color in both the criminal justice and human services systems is a longstanding issue for Oregon and nationwide, and impact statements are one way to try to stave off laws that might have the unintended consequence of exacerbating the problem.
SB 463 provides legislators with an important new tool for addressing racial inequality in Oregon.
VICTORY! PASSED
Vote: 27-2-1 Senate, 58-1-1 House
24-6 Senate concurrence
