The Speaker of the state Assembly doubts a proposed statewide smoking ban will pass the Legislature this session. A Senate committee approved the ban this week, but Assembly Speaker Mike Huebsch (R-West Salem) doesn't think his chamber will even get a chance to take it up before the session ends. Huebsch says the ban has a long way to go to get the support it needs, but only a short time left in the session to reach that point.
The proposed statewide ban still needs a vote on the Senate floor before it heads to the Assembly. Huebsch says strong debate over whether to exempt taverns could prevent that from happening. He's questioning if lawmakers can work out the details needed to get it through the process.
Even if it does make it to the Assembly, the Speaker isn't saying if majority Republicans will allow a vote on the measure. Huebsch says the issue is not high on his "radar screen" yet because he doesn't think the issue will be resolved this session.