With the stated goal of providing an up-close view of the state's lawmaking process, the House Judiciary Committee will convene at 8:30 a.m. on Friday, April 8, in Room 505 in Tioga Hall on the Southwestern Oregon Community College campus in Coos Bay. Committee Chairman Rep. Wayne Krieger, R-Gold Beach, wants the committee to focus on discussions of legislation regarding Oregon's methamphetamine issues.

According to a press release from Krieger's office, the policies under discussion call for harsher penalties for those convicted of manufacture and delivery of the narcotic, more treatment for addiction and greater regulation of the drug's easily obtainable ingredients.

The committee also plans to discuss legislation regarding the state's role in regulating private property and sentencing criminals. Krieger, also a member of the Ways and Means Subcommittee, said he wants to tell the public about sections of natural resource agency budgets under review.

Later that day, Krieger and Sen. Jeff Kruse, R-Roseburg, are scheduled to head to Coquille to speak at 6 p.m. at the Coquille Community Center, 115 N. Birch St. They plan to give an update on the legislative session and invite public commentary.

The House Judiciary Committee also is scheduled to appear in other meetings on Saturday, April 9, including at:

€ Brookings: 10 a.m., city hall, 898 Elk Drive;

€ Port Orford: 12:30 p.m., city hall, 555 20th St.;

€ Bandon: 6 p.m., city hall, 555 U.S. Highway 101.

Members of the committee include Krieger, Greg Macpherson, D-Lake Oswego; Andy Olson, R-Albany; Robert Ackerman, D-Eugene; Jeff Barker, D-Aloha; Linda Flores, R-Clackamas; Bill Garrard, R-Klamath Falls; Kim Thatcher, R-Keizer; and Kelley Wirth, D-Corvallis.

For more information, those interested can call (503) 986-1694.