(1) An action that challenges the constitutionality of a measure initiated by the people or referred to the people for a vote must be commenced in the Circuit Court for Marion County if:

Terms Used In Oregon Statutes 250.044

  • Amendment: A proposal to alter the text of a pending bill or other measure by striking out some of it, by inserting new language, or both. Before an amendment becomes part of the measure, thelegislature must agree to it.
  • Appeal: A request made after a trial, asking another court (usually the court of appeals) to decide whether the trial was conducted properly. To make such a request is "to appeal" or "to take an appeal." One who appeals is called the appellant.
  • Complaint: A written statement by the plaintiff stating the wrongs allegedly committed by the defendant.
  • Jurisdiction: (1) The legal authority of a court to hear and decide a case. Concurrent jurisdiction exists when two courts have simultaneous responsibility for the same case. (2) The geographic area over which the court has authority to decide cases.
  • Measure: includes any of the following submitted to the people for their approval or rejection at an election:

    (a) A proposed law. See Oregon Statutes 250.005

  • Plaintiff: The person who files the complaint in a civil lawsuit.
  • Statute: A law passed by a legislature.

(a) The action is filed by a plaintiff asserting a claim for relief that challenges the constitutionality of a state statute or an amendment to the Oregon Constitution initiated by the people or referred to the people under section 1 (1) to (4), Article IV of the Oregon Constitution;

(b) The action is commenced on or after the date that the Secretary of State certifies that the challenged measure has been adopted by the electors and within 180 days after the effective date of the measure; and

(c) The action may not be commenced in the Oregon Tax Court.

(2) An action under subsection (1) of this section must be within the jurisdiction of circuit courts and must present a justiciable controversy. The plaintiff in an action subject to the requirements of this section must serve a copy of the complaint on the Attorney General.

(3) If an action subject to the requirements of this section is filed in a court other than the Circuit Court for Marion County, the other court, on its own motion or the motion of any party to the action, shall dismiss the action or transfer the action to the Circuit Court for Marion County.

(4) This section does not apply to any civil or criminal proceeding in which the constitutionality of a state statute or provision of the Oregon Constitution is challenged in a responsive pleading.

(5) If a judgment in an action subject to the requirements of this section holds that a challenged measure is invalid in whole or in part, a party to the action may appeal the judgment only by filing a notice of appeal directly with the Supreme Court within the time and in the manner specified in ORS Chapter 19 for civil appeals to the Court of Appeals. Any party filing a notice of appeal under this subsection must note in the notice of appeal that the case is subject to this subsection.

(6) If a judgment in an action subject to the requirements of this section holds that a challenged measure is valid, a party to the action may appeal the judgment by filing a notice of appeal in the Court of Appeals within the time and in the manner specified in ORS Chapter 19 for civil appeals. Notwithstanding ORS § 19.405 (1), the party may move the Court of Appeals to certify the appeal to the Supreme Court, and the Court of Appeals acting in its sole discretion may so certify the appeal. If the Court of Appeals certifies the appeal to the Supreme Court, the Supreme Court shall accept or deny acceptance of the certification as provided in ORS § 19.405 (2). [1997 c.794 § 2]

 

STATE MEASURES

 

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