Dear Friends and Neighbors,
Earlier this month, on March 17th, we passed the first-chamber deadline that thinned the pile of over 2800 bills introduced this session. Bills posted for work sessions in their first-chamber of origin must be voted out of committee on or before April 4, or they are considered dead for the session. This does not apply to measures in the Finance and Revenue, Rules, Ways and Means and Joint Transportation Committees.
One can certainly describe this time as being in the “thick and thin” of session. Many bills have met their final fate, while others will carry on to see another day. The key issues that will define the 82nd Legislative Session are coming center focus. The first of those measures includes the Housing and Homelessness Package which I will discuss further in this update.
There is still a lot of work ahead as the session ramps into warp speed and we get down to balancing the state’s budget. Thanks for reading along to catch some of the session’s highlights – in the Capitol, in the district, and beyond.
Sincerely,
 Rick Lewis
State Representative
House District 18
Oregon’s Christmas Tree District
Click here to view previous newsletters.
HB 2001B & HB 5019 Housing and Homelessness Package
The $200 million Affordable Housing and Emergency Homelessness Response Package passed both chambers this month and is on the way to the Governor’s desk for her signature. Though the package has some good components, it’s far from what is needed. It is simply a starting point that paves the way to addressing the critical need to solve Oregon’s Housing and Homeless crisis. It does not clear the path to create the 36,000 annual housing unit goal set by the Governor in her homelessness emergency declaration. Oregon’s homeless and housing crisis has continued to escalate for more than a decade, yet legislative policy has fallen short in addressing key issues contributing to homelessness associated with the failures of Ballot Measure 110, including access to behavioral health and addiction treatment services.
I voted to support the framework outlined in HB 2001, but the budget proposal outlined in HB 5019 lacks a definitive plan and goals with measurable results. Like the failures of Ballot Measure 110 implementation that had a $300 million price tag, I want to see something more than throwing taxpayer dollars at the problem in hopes that something will stick. We have a great deal more to do to on this issue in the months ahead. I will be looking at how the bill’s yet to be identified quantifiable goals are being carried out, how the outcomes are being measured and how the agencies involved are accounting for their work.
The policy package will ultimately increase the burden on cities to build out infrastructure. There are zoning, land use, and government efficiency issues to tackle, and our cities will need assistance with infrastructure build-out to increase housing that will be affordable in any way. You can listen to my comments during the committee’s discussion on the measure here.
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HB 3268 SDC Waivers to Increase Affordable Housing
This is a concept that I have brought forward in three previous sessions to increase affordable housing. It will help provide a solution to the increased burden on cities to build out the infrastructure I discussed in the Housing and Homelessness Package bill above. The measure develops a pilot program that provides a creative opportunity to help solve the housing crisis in rural communities.
Under the terms of the bill, cities waive System Development Charges to a developer in exchange for an agreement with the State whereby the developer agrees to an affordable rent threshold for a period of time. That threshold is based on total household income at or below 60% of the area median income based on household size.
The bill creates the Rural System Development Charges Fund in the State Treasury, separate and distinct from the General Fund. The program would be administered by the Housing and Community Services Department with the advice and consent of the Oregon Housing Stability Council. Awards are then made to qualifying jurisdictions through competitive applications that reduce the burden on public infrastructure, offer the greatest number of affordable housing units for the funding provided and reserve a percentage of affordable housing units for veterans.
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For successful applicants, once the agreement is made through a covenant with the State, the State then reimburses the cities for 100% of their SDC’s. The bill is for multi-family housing. Renters win, developers win, cities win.
I appreciate the enthusiastic and engaging discussion with the members of the House Committee on Housing and Homelessness, for their interest in expanding the bill further, and to have the committee Chair and Vice-Chair’s support as sponsors of the bill. The measure passed out of that committee on March 23rd and is before the Joint Ways and Means committee for further consideration. You can listen to a replay of the public hearing here.
HB 2426 Consumer Choice in Fueling – PASSED THE HOUSE
The measure allows consumers the ability to choose between self-service and full-service at the gas pump. Some eastern Oregon counties already have this option. As businesses across the state struggle to achieve full employment, this modified approach strikes a balance between the needs of consumers, businesses, and employees. It is a consumer choice approach that simplifies a regulatory patchwork on self-serve gas and creates a uniform system statewide. While the bill offers freedom of choice, it also guarantees that both options are available to consumers. Fuel prices will remain the same for full and self-serve options. The measure is a bipartisan and bicameral piece of legislation that passed the House on March 20th and is before the Senate for further consideration.
HB 2395 Opioid Harm Reduction Package – PASSED THE HOUSE
The bill makes short-acting opioid antagonists like Naloxone/Narcan more widely available and allows for the Oregon Health Authority to bulk purchase and distribute to qualifying entities. It further strengthens the overdose reporting requirement and more.
During a recent budget hearing before the Joint Public Safety Ways and Means Subcommittee, Oregon State Police shared some shocking statistics. In 2021-2022, the Department's K-9 drug program seized 241 pounds of cocaine, nearly 84 pounds of heroin, 522 pounds of methamphetamine, more than 665,000 fentanyl pills, and 34 pounds of fentanyl powder. In fentanyl alone, that is enough to kill every Oregonian twice, according to the report. That does not include drug seizures from federal, municipal, and county law enforcement agencies in Oregon during the same time frame. Oregon ranks at the very top in methamphetamine use and those numbers have gotten far worse since the passage of Ballot Measure 110 which decriminalized heroin, meth, and cocaine.
If you don’t read this update any further… Please at least take the time to listen to OSP’s testimony by clicking here.
Though HB 2395 has many good components and I believe it will save lives, I voted a “reluctant yes” and shared my concerns that the bill does not go far enough. It is only a partial solution and a short-term stopgap measure at best. My concerns were echoed in the speeches of many of my colleagues who spoke on the bill - some who shared heart breaking stories of how Oregon’s opioid crisis has impacted their communities, their friends, and their loved ones. As mentioned earlier in this newsletter, serious steps must be taken to find long-term solutions to Oregon’s drug crisis and the adverse impacts of Ballot Measure 110 by getting people into treatment. Enabling the drug addicted to continue the harmful use of dangerous drugs is not the answer. The larger conversation is yet to come - and I hope we have it this session. Watch my floor comments here.
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HB 2405 Fitness to Proceed (Mosman Decision) - PASSED THE HOUSE
Since my last update on this measure the bill underwent a minor amendment. It passed unanimously out of the House Judiciary Committee and out of House Chamber this week and is on its way to the Senate. House District 18 includes various parts of eastern Marion County and I am pleased to lend my support as a sponsor of this bill to assist Marion County, where the Oregon State Hospital is located, cope with the effects of the Mosman Decision.
The Federal Judge’s decision allows early release from the OSH of approximately 109 individuals from various parts of the state accused of crimes but found unfit to stand trial because of mental health issues. 23 of these individuals have been identified as committing violent crimes and are expected to be released into the Salem area under that decision. This measure ensures that individuals charged with a crime and referred to OSH for treatment to become mentally fit to stand trial will be sent back to the charging jurisdiction or to their home jurisdiction, as opposed to simply being released into Marion County.
HB 5045 Budget Reconciliation Bill – PASSED THE HOUSE
This is the 2021-23 budget rebalance bill that includes budget adjustments needed to get us through June 30th when the current biennium ends. The bill’s passage, along with the March revenue forecast provides a better picture of what the starting fund balance will be next year and is used by the Ways and Means Co-Chairs to build out their budget framework in response to the Governor’s proposed budget. You can read the Co-Chairs budget framework released last week here.
As a member of the Ways and Means Public Safety Subcommittee, we are continuing to review the 14 public safety agency budgets which will make their way to full Ways and Means in the final budget considerations. The final budget decisions will all come down to the June forecast (to be released on May 17) that sets the final stage for what is ultimately funded to balance the 2023-2025 budget.
SB 853-A Prohibits Out-of-State Travel Reimbursements for Government Employees – PASSED THE SENATE
I am pleased to join my colleagues as a sponsor of this bipartisan/bicameral bill to end taxpayer funded travel reimbursement for government employees who reside out-of-state. The bill is currently before the House Committee on Emergency Management, General Government, and Veterans, where I am a Vice-Chair. I look forward to the opportunity to move the bill to the floor and to the Governor’s desk for her signature.
HB 2764 Endangered Person Alerts - PASSED THE HOUSE
The bill establishes an Endangered Missing Person Alert System. Directs the Superintendent of the State Police to establish a task force to develop a system to enable rapid and effective dissemination of information pertaining to missing persons to the public to facilitate a rapid location and recovery of the missing person.
It sets forth criteria to be used to determine when endangered missing person alerts may be issued and when alerts may be terminated. It also establishes immunity from liability for persons, organizations or entities that are involved in dissemination of endangered missing person alerts.
I am a proud sponsor of the bill which passed unanimously off the House Floor on 2/14. It is currently before the Senate Committee On Labor and Business for further consideration. You can read more about the measure's background here.
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SB 933 Tolling Oregon Freeways
The Oregon Department of Transportation is moving ahead to enact tolls on I-5 and I-205 beginning late in 2024. Serious, unintended consequences will impact residents, businesses and community safety and livability if certain prerequisites are not met.
ODOT’s own studies have shown tolling in the South Metro region will also create significant diversion into local neighborhoods and increase pollution in those areas. It will also disproportionately negatively impact working class Oregonians, many of whom may have to pay $300-$400 a month just to commute to their already low paying job. Legislative authorization for these projects falls short of guaranteeing that ODOT will adequately address these issues before tolling begins.
SB 933 provides a solution that requires the Oregon Department of Transportation to develop alternative funding mechanisms for I-5 and I-205. It amends statute to accomplish the following:
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- Oregon Department of Transportation may not toll any location on I-205 from where it intersects with I-84, extending south to the intersection with I-5 and continuing on I-5 south to and including the Boone Bridge.
- The Oregon Department of Transportation will analyze all alternative funding alternatives, existing or prospective, for projects on the Abernethy Bridge Project, The Tualatin River Bridge Project and the Boone Bridge Project and submit to the Legislative Joint Committee on Transportation by December 2023.
Over the years, I have received a lot of feedback from constituents and Oregonians throughout the metro region who have expressed strong opposition to tolling Oregon’s freeways. I join this opposition as a sponsor of SB 933. The measure has bipartisan and bicameral support to prevent tolls on I-205 and I-5 and is currently before the Joint Committee on Transportation.
Be sure to read the “ODOT Talks Tolling” section below to find out how you can provide feedback to ODOT about tolling Oregon’s freeways.
It was a privilege to meet with constituents who shared the incredible work being done by the many volunteers with Habitat for Humanity. Thank you for visiting and sharing your stories of success throughout our communities.
It was my pleasure to welcome students from Clackamas Community College during their lobby day at the Capitol. Thank you for visiting and for sharing the story of your educational experience at CCC and for allowing me the opportunity to wave your banner. Go Cougars!
The Capitol building has been under construction for a considerable length of time and work is expected to continue for another couple years. Legislators receive ongoing updates from the Capitol Accessibility, Maintenance and Safety (CAMS) Project Team. Here is a recent update you may find of interest.
Did you know?
The Capitol is getting a moat! Not the type of moat you may be thinking of with a suspension bridge over water and a crocodile or two. Why are we building this moat? A significant portion of the seismic upgrades occurring under the 1938 building and the center of the 1977 building will require the structures to be on pendulum discs, which will help stabilize them in a seismic event. This means the building will not move while the surrounding earth shakes and rolls. Watch this short video on how the pendulum disc system works
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The moat will be 25’ deep and anywhere from 4’ to 5’ wide and it will ensure that, while the earth is moving during a seismic event, it doesn’t encounter the building.
For this to happen, 37,000 cubic yards of dirt will be excavated from around the Capitol. It will take 4,500 truckloads and, when all is said and done, that dirt, if distributed in an even 3” layer, would cover 3.7 million feet or roughly 85 football fields.
In terms of design, once the earth is excavated from around the building, a second wall (think second foundation) will be built to maintain that 4’-5’ gap. For the most part, no one will know that the gap exists. The public will be walking on top and, visually, it will look like normal landscaping. The walking paths will be made from a material that would buckle or crumple in a seismic event, rather than shifting to collide with the building.
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What you will see in the diagram to the right:
- the original building foundation on the left in red
- the new concourse level being built in green below
that
- the 4’ to 5’ air gap surrounding the building
- the second wall being constructed in green to the
right
- the red to the right of the new green wall represents
the nearest dirt that is under and surrounding the building
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This process will take approximately 18 months and is just one of the steps taken to complete CAMS III project and illustrates the magnitude of construction being undertaken at the Capitol to address the safety concerns related to the magnitude of a Cascadia subduction zone type event.
More information and photos on the CAMS projects can be found here.
Seismic upgrade project prepares Oregon’s capitol building for the 'big one' - YouTube. Frequently Asked Questions are found here.
The Legislature’s Joint Ways and Means Committee, of which I am a member, is hosting a series of public hearings across the state to hear from Oregonians on their priorities for spending in the state budget.
You can register to testify on OLIS here.
Ways and Means is the legislative appropriations committee that decides how to allocate the state’s budget. There are four scheduled Ways and Means Roadshow events as follows:
Portland
Saturday, April 8, 10 a.m.-12 p.m.
Portland Community College PAC Auditorium, Sylvania Campus
12000 SW 49th Ave, Portland, OR 97219
Newport
Friday, April 14, 5-7 p.m.
Newport Performing Arts Center
777 W Olive St, Newport, OR 97365
Roseburg
Friday, April 21, 5-7 p.m.
Umpqua Community College 1140
Umpqua College Rd, Roseburg, OR 9747
Ontario
Friday, April 28, 5-7 p.m. (Note: Ontario, Oregon is in the Mountain Time Zone)
Four Rivers Cultural Center
676 SW 5th Ave, Ontario, OR 97914
Salem - Virtual Testimony Only
Friday, May 5, 5-7 p.m.
The committee will meet for a last round of public hearings in Salem to allow for virtual testimony. All oral and written testimony will become part of the legislative record and made publicly available on the Oregon State Legislature website.
 ODF’s Proposed Habitat Conservation Plan hurts rural Oregon communities.
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The Department’s proposal involves a 27% reduction of harvest on state forestlands. This sharp reduction will have a disparate impact on our rural communities at a time of growing economic uncertainty.
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The plan does not balance conservation and economic viability and will result in job loss, lower wages, and a steady decline to state and county revenues. It will further reduce available public services that will have long-lasting ramifications for individual communities.
In response, I joined my colleagues in urging Governor Kotek to immediate reconsider this plan. Read the entire letter and Press Release here.
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Now is Your Chance to Tell ODOT What You Think About Tolling Oregon’s Freeways
In case you missed it. Back in February, the Oregon Department of Transportation published the draft Environmental Assessment for the I-205 Toll project. The public comment period initially ran through April 7th but has been extended through April 21st. Please take advantage of this opportunity to tell ODOT what you think about tolling Oregon’s freeways.
Details on how to provide your feedback:
Submit comments in the way that works best for you by 4 p.m. on Friday, April 21, 2023:
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Electronic comments: If you wish to submit an official comment on the I-205 Toll Project Environmental Assessment electronically, please use this multi-lingual online comment form. If your comment includes an attachment, you may email it to I205TollEA@odot.oregon.gov with “EA comments" in the subject line. All comments must be submitted by April 21, 2023, 4:00 p.m. to be considered.
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Public hearing: ODOT will host an online public hearing on Tuesday, April 4, 3-6 p.m. where attendees may provide verbal comments on the Environmental Assessment. The hearing will be hosted on Zoom.
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Verbal comments: Call 503-837-3536 to leave a comment via voicemail. ODOT will also provide an opportunity for you to provide a verbal comment in-person on April 4, 3-6 p.m.at Pioneer Community Center, 615 5th St, Oregon City.
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Mail: Oregon Department of Transportation Attn: Mandy Putney ODOT Urban Mobility Office 18277 SW Boones Ferry Road, Tualatin, OR 97224
All comments will be reviewed and will inform the Environmental Assessment and next steps. ODOT will continue to provide ongoing project updates and opportunities for involvement. More information is available on the Department’s Tolling webpage here.
Are you due a tax refund?
You can search for a refund for the current filing period by going to Revenue Online.
To view your refund status, you'll need the information listed below as it's shown on your return.
You can't search for refunds from amended returns, previous year's tax returns, or one-time assistance payments.
Corporate Tax
- Federal employer identification number (FEIN), and
- The exact refund amount shown on
- Line 32 of your Form OR-20, or
- Line 26 of your Form OR-20-INC, or
- Line 35 of your Form OR-20-INS, or
- Line 27 or your Form OR-20-S.
Personal Income Tax
- Social Security number (SSN) or individual taxpayer identification number (ITIN), and
- Filing status, and
- The exact refund amount shown on
- Line 45 of your Form OR-40, or
- Line 71 of your Form OR-40-N, or
- Line 70 of your Form OR-40-P.
More information can be found at the Oregon Department of Revenue’s website here.
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 Earlier this month, I toured the Oregon Vault. This is a 100,000 square foot state of the art facility that houses the vast majority of the Oregon Historical Society’s remarkable collection of items that make up the fabric and story of our great state.
I thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity to step away from the Capitol and take a step back in time to see the treasures and relics of our past. A big thank you to Kerry Tymchuk, OHS Executive Director for making this opportunity possible.
Learn more about the Oregon Historical Society here.
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