The Oregon Legislature wrapped up a three-day special session on Wednesday by passing a set of five bills that will make changes to PERS, increase revenue and provide additional funding for education, mental health services and senior services.

Gov. John Kitzhaber has indicated he will sign the bills, which provide $25 million in additional funding for the Oregon University System.

Here's a recap:

Senate Bill 861 reduces cost-of-living increases for those who receive Public Employees Retirement System pensions. The bill sets cost-of-living adjustments at 1.25 percent on benefits up to $60,000 per year and at 0.15 percent on benefit payments above $60,000. The bill requires a 0.25 percent supplementary payment, capped at $150, to PERS members or their beneficiaries, with an additional 0.25 percent supplementary payment to retirees whose pensions are less than $20,000.

House Bill 3601 raises $244 million in the current biennium by adjusting Oregon's senior medical deduction, raising cigarette taxes by 13 cents per pack, creating a higher tax rate for "C corporations," eliminating a $183 "personal exemption" for taxpayers who earn more than $100,000 individually or $200,000 jointly. It cuts tax rates for partnerships, limited liability companies, "S corporations" and some export businesses.

House Bill 5101 appropriates $140 million for education – including $25 million for OUS institutions – and $41 million for senior programs and $10 million for mental health programs.

Senate Bill 862 makes changes in PERS calculations for some retirees, prevents newly elected legislators who are not currently PERS members from becoming members of the retirement system and allows the lump sum payments or retirement allowances to retirees convicted of crimes to be subject to collection processes related to criminal proceedings.

Senate Bill 863 limits the authority of local governments to regulate genetically modified plants, and includes an emergency clause that allows it to take effect immediately and thwart efforts in Benton and Lane counties to restrict genetically modified agriculture.

- from the UO Office of Strategic Communications