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Grants Pass council backs modification or repeal of Oregon Senate Bill 48
Summary
Council approved a resolution urging modification or repeal of Oregon Senate Bill 48, citing local operational concerns about pretrial-release rules and their effect on repeat crime; staff will transmit the resolution to state leaders and the initiative petitioner.
City staff introduced a resolution expressing the council’s support for modification or repeal of Oregon Senate Bill 48, the 2021 pretrial‑release reform law that directs the chief justice to adopt risk‑based pretrial guidelines. Staff and several councilors described operational challenges and public‑safety concerns arising from quick releases in some felony and serious misdemeanor cases.
Public commenters urged action to close perceived loopholes and supported the council making a statement to state leaders; one commenter noted a local petition effort but said signature collection timelines made ballot qualification unlikely this cycle. Councilor Victoria moved to approve the resolution; the motion passed on roll call. The resolution directs the city manager and city attorney to forward copies of the resolution to the governor, state legislators representing Josephine County, and the chief petitioner identified in the initiative packet.
