“Lethal to the American ideal”
Oregon Senate Bill (SB) 690 allows State to Seize Bank Assets
By Brian Addison
The proposed Oregon Senate Bill (SB) 690 would expand the powers of the Oregon Department of Revenue (ODR) at the expense of personal privacy and has been referred to by Oregon Senate Minority Leader Ted Ferrioli (R) as, "lethal to the American ideal." Senator Ferrioli has vowed to oppose SB 690 and other current legislation that in his words, "attempts to curtail our right to privacy...and undermines the core of what it means to conduct our lives without the watchful eye of Big Brother constantly gazing over our shoulders."
If passed into law, SB 690 would authorize the ODR to create a "data-matching system" with all banks and financial institutions doing business in the state of Oregon. Banks and financial institutions would then be required to provide the name, address, social security number, and other identifying information of any account holder who has neglected to pay state taxes or file a tax return.
SB 690 then paves the way for the ODR to seize the assets of delinquent tax-payers through their bank accounts, with the provision, "A financial institution...is not liable under any state law or to any person: For encumbering or surrending any assets held by the financial institution in response to a notice of lien or levy issued by the department."
In addition to allowing the Department of Revenue to search bank account information and seize assets of bank patrons, SB 690 would also strengthen the investigative and reporting powers of the Oregon Department of Revenue by allowing the sharing of tax related information with local law enforcement agencies, state and federal agency officials, and credit reporting services.
"This is wrong, and I will fight it," declared Senator Ferrioli as he closed his discussion on SB 690 and other legislation currently under consideration during the 75th Oregon Legislative Assembly 2009 Session.
Citizens interested in responding to the proposals in SB 690 should contact their elected officials and the sponsor of the bill. SB 690 is sponsored by The Oregon Senate Committee on Finance and Revenue. The Committee on Finance and Revenue is comprised of five state senators under the leadership of committee Chairwoman Senator Ginny Burdick (D) Portland, Vice Chairman Sen. Frank Morse (R) from Albany, Sen. Chris Telfer (R) from Bend, and Senators Mark Hass (D) and Diane Rosenbaum both from Portland.
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