SALEM (AP) - A bill to eliminate massive “golden parachute” severance payments for departing school administrators has had its first hearing in the Senate Education Committee and chairwoman Vicki Walker predicted easy passage.

Walker, D-Eugene, drafted a similar bill that failed to pass last session.

Her effort follows large packages paid to some administrators, including those in Portland, Baker City and the Salem-based Willamette Education Service District.

This bill would cap such payments at 25 percent of the prior year's pay and limit pension perks to those available to other workers in the Public Employees Retirement System.

Trice Smith, a lobbyist for classified school employees, testified Thursday that her union generally opposes limiting pay and benefits.

“Unfortunately, situations have occurred in Oregon that have caused us to ask for these limits,” Smith said. That has caused a “credibility crisis” that makes citizens less willing to support public schools, she said.

Sen. Frank Morse, R-Corvallis, said he was concerned that the bill robs school districts of management flexibility, and may have unintended consequences.

Walker agreed to extend the hearing until Feb. 6 so lobbyists representing school boards and management can testify.

Walker's bill passed the Senate 19-8 in 2005 but never came up in the Republican-run House.

At the time, then-House Speaker Karen Minnis, R-Wood Village, was allied with the Oregon School Boards Association, which opposed the bill.

This time, Democrats control the House.

“I expect we'll do better on it this time,” Walker said.

Severance benefits that concerned some citizens in recent years included a $26,665 car the Willamette Education District sold its superintendent for $7,900.

Last session Walker cited a “golden parachute” of $267,900 awarded to the former superintendent of the Baker School District and one of $260,000 paid to former Portland schools Superintendent Ben Canada in 2001.

She also cited a $357,000 package outlined In Portland's contract with its former human resources director, Steve Goldschmidt.

Opponents of the idea say it limits school districts' abilities to draw top talent.