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Dear Friends and Family,
Thank you for the opportunity to represent and serve you. I was sworn in as State Representative on January 9th, 2023. I am ready to be representing you and serving you.
To follow along this Session, please follow this link to sign up for my newsletter.
The 2023 Legislative Session kicked off on January 17th and already nearly 2,000 bills have been introduced with at least a first reading. We anticipate that over 3,000 bills will be introduced before the Session concludes June 23rd.
Representative Mannix has 80 bills on which he is the Chief or Co-Chief Sponsor.
Two of these 80 bills have had a committee hearing in the first weeks of Session.
SB 498 – Natural Resource Exemption to the Death Tax
Representative Mannix and Senator Hansell are working together on this bill to provide relief to small family-owned farm, forestry, and fishing business. Oregon has the worst-in-the-nation estate tax. Thirty-eight states do not have an estate tax, including California, Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, Colorado, and Nevada. Washington does have an estate tax, but the threshold for when it applies is more than twice that of Oregon’s. Washington’s threshold is also periodically adjusted upward for inflation. Oregon’s exemption threshold, at only $1 million and never adjusted for inflation, is the toughest in the nation for the few states that do have estate taxes. SB 498 would provide needed and welcome relief to families that have had natural resource family businesses passed onto them but are not protected, or fully protected, by the current complicated and cumbersome rules around natural resource estates. Family farms, family fishing businesses, and family forestland are all integral parts of Oregon’s culture and economy, and should be preserved.
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A hearing was held in front of the Senate Committee on Finance and Revenue on January 25, 2023. Sixteen people submitted written testimony in support of the bill.
Representative Mannix is sponsoring three additional bills dealing with Oregon’s Death Tax and hopes to provide relief from this worst-in-the-nation estate tax for all Oregonians.
You can find information such as a copy of the bill, a recording of the committee hearing, and copies of the written testimony submitted to the committee for review.
HB 2137 – Willamette River Bridge
Representative Mannix is sponsoring a bill to form a Willamette River Task force to provide a mechanism for bringing together regional stakeholders to evaluate strategies for financing and constructing a bridge across the Willamette River, north of Keizer.
This potential bridge is a regional issue, as it connects the mid-Willamette Valley in several ways. It would provide a shorter and more convenient route between the agricultural communities of McMinnville, Newberg and Dayton on the east side of the river to I-5 and our state highways. It would also provide another route to connect our communities on the west side of the river (Aurora, Woodburn, Gervais, Keizer and north Salem) to the Oregon coast.
A hearing was held on February 2, 2023, in front of the Joint Committee on Transportation. Several people testified in support of HB 2137 including Marion County Commissioner Danielle Bethell on behalf of the Marion County Commissioners, Tom Hoffert, Executive Director of the Salem Chamber of Commerce, and Former Salem City Councilor, Brad Nanke. Thirty four people submitted written testimony supporting the bill.
An Important Note on Public Comment This Session
JUST IN: The process to sign up to testify before a committee has been changed.
You must register in advance to provide in-person or virtual testimony during a committee. Registration closes one hour prior to the scheduled start time of the meeting.
There are three ways to register:
- Look up the committee meeting agenda on the Oregon Legislative Information System (OLIS) website and follow the testimony registration link on the agenda. The system will send you an email with a registration meeting link and instructions for delivering your verbal/video testimony using the Microsoft Teams platform.
- Look up the committee or subcommittee meeting agenda on the OLIS website and call the listed toll-free number. The phone system will provide you with a phone number and access code to call into the meeting and deliver your verbal/audio testimony.
- On the day of the hearing, come to the public access station at the State Capitol building to deliver your testimony via a publicly provided laptop, there will be Committee staff on-hand to assist you. Please note that this option is intended for those who do not have internet access or an available phone.
Bill Alerts - Stay Informed!
Follow the bills you care about and receive an e-mail update when the status of your watched bill(s) change.
Bill Alert Features Include:
- Easily select the Senate and House bills you want to follow
- Receive an e-mail update when your selected bill(s) moves through the legislative process
- Modify your list of watched bills at any time
- Choose the frequency the email updates for your watched bills (emails immediately, daily, or weekly)
Click this link for more information.
Pro-Life Movement: Annual March for Life
Rep Mannix joined thousands of Oregonians on January 28th. The event consisted of numerous individuals that shared their stories and marched for the lives of the unborn.
Check out what they are up to and stay informed at: https://www.ortl.org/march/
KEIZER CITIZENS AWARDS
Keizer honored some outstanding citizens on Saturday, January 21, 2023 at the Keizer Civic Center.
- Marsha Stallings awarded First Citizen 2022.
- Lyndon Zaitz awarded 2022 Merchant of the Year.
- Eric Jesperson awarded Service to Education 2022.
- Tim Davis awarded the 2022 Presidents award.
SAIF AGRI-BUSINESS BANQUET
I was honored to spend the weekend attending both, the Salem Chamber SAIF Agricultural Business Banquet, and the Keizer First Citizen Awards.
Both events reminded me of the importance of supporting our local community, weather purchasing local food items to encourage our thriving agricultural industry or taking the time to invest in the Keizer spirit of volunteerism. I am thankful to be a part of this amazing community.
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Chief of Staff: Michelle Mhoon.
Michelle is assisting Representative Mannix move the 80 bills he has sponsored or co-sponsored through the legislative process.
What can Michelle help with?:
If you have questions about the legislation Representative Mannix is working on for Keizer, Salem, and Oregon or other policy related questions.
Contact: Michelle.Mhoon@oregonlegislature.gov.
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Legislative Assistant: Hayley Guptill
Hayley is a great resource for all your general questions as she manages the Representative’s schedule and is involved in all aspects of the day-to day-operations of HD 21!
What can Hayley help with?:
If you have general questions, scheduling a meeting with Representative Mannix.
Contact: Hayley.Guptill@oregonlegislature.gov.
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Community Outreach Coordinator: Kimberly Castro
Kimberly is spending much of her time out in the field listening to the needs and concerns of the citizens of Keizer and Salem. She loves helping constituents! Kimberly is fluent in Spanish to help reach our Spanish speaking friends.
What can Kimberly help with?:
If you have questions or concerns that Representative Mannix and the HD 21 team can help with.
Contact: Kimberly@mannixlawfirm.com
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Legislative Intern: Keven Oliveira
Intern Keven, an exchange student from Brazil, is attending Chemeketa Community College. Keven is interested in learning more about politics in the United States and assists the HD 21 Team with office organization, online research, and constituent outreach.
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Legislative Intern: Hannah Purdy
Hannah is finishing her last semester at Willamette University and will be starting her first year of law school at Willamette next fall. Hannah assists the HD 21 Team with office organization, online research, and constituent outreach.
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Would you like to make me aware of your position on an issue? Do you have an idea to improve our state?
I want to hear from you. Contact my team as noted above. You can reach me via email, below.
I look forward to connecting with you.
Thank you,
 Representative Kevin Mannix
House District 21
Capitol Phone: 503-986-1421
Capitol Address: 900 Court St. NE, H-384, Salem, Oregon 97301
Email: Rep.KevinMannix@oregonlegislature.gov
Website: https://www.oregonlegislature.gov/mannix
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