Representative Deborah Boone E-Update

Greetings from Salem!

Oregon Lawmakers returned to the Capitol this week to convene the 77th Oregon Legislative Assembly.   The session will be limited to five weeks, so things will move very quickly.

On Monday I was pleased to see the start of construction of Oregon’s World War II Memorial on the grounds of the State Capitol.  The memorial will honor members of the armed services, and those on the home front who worked to support the war effort. When completed, Oregon’s World War II Memorial will feature an obelisk and a wall listing the names of Oregon service members who died during combat, while a prisoner of war, or who became and remained missing in action between May 27, 1941 and January 31, 1946.    Approximately 152,000 Oregonians served in the war, and more than 3,700 lost their lives.  There are more than 20,000 Oregon WWII veterans still living, and I hope many will attend the formal memorial dedication ceremony this year on June 6th which will be the 70th anniversary of D-Day.  

I’m working on several bills this short session:

HB 4031 Transfers the State Interoperability Executive Council from the Department of Transportation (ODOT) to the Department of Administrative Services (DAS) and was suggested by Senator Betsy Johnson.  DAS is better equipped to move forward obtaining funding from the Federal Government to implement a wireless communication network for emergency service response.  On Tuesday the House Veterans Services and Emergency Preparedness Committee had a hearing and work session on this bill and moved it out of committee with a “Do Pass” recommendation.

HB 4042 Adds Renewable Marine Energy to types of energy for which the availability of Net Metering is required.  On Tuesday the House Committee on Energy and Environment held a hearing and work session, moved it out of committee with a “Do Pass” recommendation, and I’ll be carrying it on the House floor.

HB 4056 Relates to County Clerks filing death certificates with medical information. This is not currently allowed due to medical privacy laws, and some states only issue death certificates with this information.  On Monday the House Rules Committee held a hearing and work session on the bill, and referred it for a House vote with a “Do Pass” recommendation.

SB 1516 Requires development of a plan for the Salmonberry Trail, and establishes a Salmonberry Trail Trust Fund to develop and implement the plan.  On Tuesday this was heard in the Senate Committee on Rural Communities and Economic Development where it is being amended and will have another hearing.

As these and other bills important to District 32 move through the legislative process, I’ll continue to update you through these weekly newsletters.

Currently in the District, ODOT is planning lots of work on Highway 101 on the Neah-Kah-Nie mountain.   This spring crews will tend to a portion of the mountain that is prone to rock slides, by repairing and re-anchoring rock screens.  The plan calls for mid-week highway closures.  ODOT is planning a meeting to discuss this with the public this coming Monday, February 10th from 3:30 to 6pm at the Pine Grove Community House in Manzanita.

On February 17th, an ODOT contractor will being the repair of a 300 foot section of the historic Neah-Kah-Nie rock wall at milepost 40-41.  During construction a concrete barrier will be installed to protect workers, and single lane traffic will be controlled with a portable traffic signal.

Things will move quickly the next few weeks, but I always look forward to visiting with constituents.  If you have a concern or comment about a state agency, or pending legislation, you can write me at 900 Court St. NE Salem, OR 97301, phone 503 986-1432 or email rep.deborahboone@state.or.us, or when you’re in Salem, stop by my office H-375 in the Capitol.  It is my privilege to represent you in the House of Representatives, and I look forward to hearing from you.

Sincerely,

Deborah Boone
State Representative District 32