New POSITIVE bill in Oregon

[Mark S.]

Here is a new one in Oregon. A positive bill to correct some problems with present Oregon law. Do not know who is responsible for this one.

If you are in Oregon then please get behind this one.

Link to find you senator - http://www.leg.state.or.us/senate/



76th OREGON LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY--2011 Regular Session

NOTE: Matter within { + braces and plus signs + } in an
amended section is new. Matter within { - braces and minus
signs - } is existing law to be omitted. New sections are within
{ + braces and plus signs + } .

LC 2324

Senate Bill 870

Sponsored by COMMITTEE ON JUDICIARY


SUMMARY

The following summary is not prepared by the sponsors of the
measure and is not a part of the body thereof subject to
consideration by the Legislative Assembly. It is an editor's
brief statement of the essential features of the measure as
introduced.

Provides that certain statutes do not apply to person who
intentionally discovers archaeological objects on person's own
property, or on property of another with other person's
permission, and retains objects for personal use.

A BILL FOR AN ACT
Relating to archaeological objects; amending ORS 358.915.
Be It Enacted by the People of the State of Oregon:
SECTION 1. ORS 358.915 is amended to read:
358.915. The provisions of ORS 192.005, 192.501 to 192.505,
273.990, 358.905 to 358.961 and 390.235 do not apply to a
person { + :
(1) + } Who unintentionally discovers an archaeological object
that has been exposed by the forces of nature on public land or
private property and retains the object for personal use, except
for sacred objects, human remains, funerary objects or objects of
cultural patrimony.
{ + (2) Who intentionally discovers an archaeological object
on the person's own property, or on the property of another
person with the other person's permission, and retains the object
for personal use, except for sacred objects, human remains,
funerary objects or objects of cultural patrimony. + }
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[Tom_in_CA]

I'm assuming "... archaeologically significant" is a coin over a certain # of years old, right? ie.: >50 or 100 yrs. old, etc.... right?

Since when is it already NOT allowed that you can find "archaeologically significant items" (intentionally or un-intentionally) on your own property, or other's properties with permission. At this time, I have no doubt that hobbyists, all the time, can work any private property they want (with permission) in Oregon, with no problems, no matter WHAT they find. I mean, since when can't they?

And this verbage also implies that it is not currently allowed to find old coins (ie.: "archaeologically significant" items) on public land. Then I presume that to be state parks only, and not "all public land" (ie.: down to county and city level, which can have their own rules, for their own land). Because detecting goes on in city parks, schools, parking strips, vacant lots, forests, etc.... all the time ....... right now ..... in Oregon. So I can only assume that this applies to state-owned land, not other forms of govt. land.