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Dear Friends,
A lot has happened since our last regular newsletter went out back in June. Over the summer, I was busy working with local, state and federal partners on curtailing wildfires that caused significant damage and disruption to House District 1 and beyond. You might have received some of my nearly daily updates on the situation as I was working around the clock to keep people informed and safe.
At the state level, House Republicans elected a new leadership going into the 2024 short session, the Oregon Office of Economic Analysis (OEA) announced a record kicker for the 2023 tax return filers and the State Board of Education just recently unveiled that Oregon high schools will not have to prove basic mastery of reading, writing or math to graduate. More on all of that below.
As always, if you need help with a state agency or have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to reach out to my office at Rep.CourtBoice@oregonlegislature.gov.
Yours truly,
Court Boice
Throughout the summer, my office and the office of Senator David Brock Smith worked tirelessly on making sure that HD1 residents are safe and informed during the recent wildfire season. I am proud to say that we have sent out over 15 quick "fire updates" to keep people up-to-speed with reliable and trustworthy information.
"It reminds people in other parts of the state how crucial investment in wildfire protection is and how many lives are invested in the effort to keep Oregonians safe. I don’t remember these updates being broadcast on a statewide basis before." - The Honorable Judge Megan Jacquot, Oregon Court of Appeals
Read more about our effort in the Curry Coastal Pilot.
 Flat Fire near Agness in July. Photo courtesy: SHAUN HALL, Rogue Valley Times
In anticipation of the 2024 short session, Oregon House Republicans elected a new leadership team that will fight for our values and push back against failed Democrat policies. I have a great confidence in Leader Helfrich and his team and the deepest respect and admiration for former Leader Vikki Breese-Iverson.
Had so much fun attending the Oregon Agriculture Prayer Breakfast in Linn County in September! Our farmers are absolutely vital and we need to support them at every step of the way. And always great to see my good friend Rep. Shelly Boshart-Davis.
Unlike the federal government, Oregon Constitution requires our state budget to be balanced with any excess revenues refunded to taxpayers. Oregon House and Senate Republicans fought hard last session to keep it that way after Democrats introduced several proposals to take away Oregonians' kicker.
This month, Oregon Department of Revenue confirmed that the state will have $5.61 billion revenue surplus - far more than predicted! The surplus—the largest in state history—will be returned to taxpayers through a credit on their 2023 state personal income tax returns filed in 2024. The credit is based on tax liability for the 2022 tax year. Taxpayers who have not yet filed a 2022 tax return, should file now so they can claim their kicker credit when they file their 2023 tax return.
Read more about it here.
I am proud of the hard work that went into SB 420 which is a wonderful and needed legislation intended to help our Veterans and our important Traumatic Brain Injury research. SB 420 directs Department of Human Services to provide variety of services to individuals with brain injuries and to convene Brain Injury Advisory Committee. It was one of the most rewarding efforts I had ever worked on. Great gratitude to the Governor and everyone so dedicated on this.
In Case You Missed It: I was angry but not surprised to learn that former Governor Kate Brown has let numerous convicted felons out of jail only for them to continue their crime spree and murders.
One of the released criminals, Jesse Lee Calhoun, is now suspected of killing four women in the Portland metro area, Willamette Week reported back in July.
It is time for the government to protect law-abiding citizens instead of harassing them and instead focus on keeping convicted criminals and murders in jails!
On October 23, 2023, I was invited to Inside Douglas County where we discussed the issues facing Oregon and the upcoming 2024 short session. Listen here.
In October, the state Board of Education unanimously decided that it will extend the Covid-area pause on the high school graduation requirement until 2029. What this means is that Oregon high school students will not have to prove basic mastery of reading, writing or math to graduate from high school. I think this is terrible decision that will hurt students in the long-term and only continue to current devaluation of Oregon education standards and hurt all of us.
Read more about it here.
I have long believed that Measure 110 needs to be repealed. In the current form, Measure 110 is harmful and creates dangerous conditions for all Oregonians. It does not work and it will not work until we repeal it and find different pathways to treat our addiction and fentanyl crises.
My colleagues - Sen. David Brock Smith and Rep. E. Werner Reschke - have both urged the Governor to call in a special session of the Legislature to repeal Measure 110 for good. I completely agree.
 
HB2426 – Boshart Davis - Authorizes self-service dispensing of Class 1 flammable liquids at retail dispensary.
HB2645 – Morgan - Increases penalties for possession of certain amounts of fentanyl. Punishes by maximum of 364 days' imprisonment, $6,250 fine, or both. Provides that delivery of fentanyl may be charged as commercial drug offense in specified circumstances. Increases sentencing guidelines crime category level for delivery of fentanyl for consideration. Adds alternative manner of measuring fentanyl for purposes of calculating crime category level for certain offenses involving possession, delivery or manufacture of fentanyl. Provides that misdemeanor-level unlawful possession of fentanyl is designated drug-related misdemeanor for purposes of supervising entity and supervision funding, justice and municipal court jurisdiction and eligibility for earned reduction of supervision.
HB2687 – Owens - Authorizes State Department of Agriculture to issue public applicator licenses and public trainee certificates to employees of federally recognized Indian tribes for purposes of pesticide application on lands other than Indian country.
HB2689 – Owens - Provides licensing exemption for person slaughtering not more than 1,000 rabbits for use as human food.
HB2725 – Goodwin - Prohibits pharmacy benefit manager from retroactively denying or reducing payment on claim after adjudication unless pharmacy and pharmacy benefit manager agree that payment was incorrect due to clerical error. Prohibits pharmacy benefit manager from imposing fees on pharmacies after point of sale. Requires pharmacy benefit manager, if denying or reducing reimbursement on claim, to provide notice to pharmacy of specific claim that is denied or reduced and explanation for denial or reduction.
HB3037 – Neron - Directs Oregon State University Extension Service to collaborate with Department of Education for purpose of identifying and collecting student data relevant for maintenance of outdoor school programs
HB3179 – Helm - Modifies definition of "renewable energy facility" for purposes of county permitting process for solar photovoltaic power generation facility. Requires county to require applicant for permit to establish solar photovoltaic power generation facility using certain number of acres to provide decommissioning plan that includes bonding or other security. Prohibits Department of Transportation from discriminating against or favoring renewable energy facility when reviewing or granting application to place, build or construct on right of way of state highway or county road.
HB3211 – Gomberg - Authorizes holder of certain water right certificates that authorize storage of water for municipal use to change authorized point of diversion and place of use without losing priority of right under specified circumstances. Provides that authorization applies to applications for change filed after effective date of Act and before January 1, 2026.
HB3362 – Conrad - Allows County to validate unit of land that had been approved for recognition that was later revoked after sale to innocent purchaser. Sunsets January 2, 2025. Until April 1, 2024, allows additional appeals to Land Use Board of Appeals challenging certain land use approvals based on forgery for non-innocent purchasers.
HB3410 – Rayfield - Appropriates moneys to Higher Education Coordinating Commission for distribution for purposes related to outdoor recreation economy. Limits biennial expenditures from lottery moneys allocated from Administrative Services Economic Development Fund to Oregon Business Development Department for purpose of awarding matching grants to membership organizations and business accelerators in outdoor gear and apparel industry. Appropriates moneys to Oregon Department of Administrative Services to provide grant to Regional Rural Revitalization Strategies Consortium to plan for and develop housing. Limits biennial expenditures from lottery moneys allocated from Administrative Services Economic Development Fund to Oregon Business Development Department to award grants to county fair operators in response to negative impact of COVID-19 pandemic on county fair operators' earned revenue. Limits biennial expenditures from lottery moneys allocated from Administrative Services Economic Development Fund to Oregon Business Development Department for purpose of awarding grants for formation, improvement and operation of small business development centers. Appropriates moneys to Oregon Department of Administrative Services for distribution to Oregon Coast Visitors Association to be expended on various projects. Appropriates moneys from General Fund to State Department of Agriculture for purpose of funding grant program related to establishments that process and sell meat products. Extends sunset of grant program. Appropriates moneys to Higher Education Coordinating Commission to fund new program established to support strategic investments in maritime workforce development programs and activities.
HB3426 – Grayber - Requires 9-8-8 crisis hotline centers to have policies and train staff on serving firefighters and other first responders
HB3458 – McLain - Limits issues that may be basis for appeal of land use decisions where local government amends comprehensive plan or land use regulations.
HB3596 – Nosse - Allows person to practice surgical technology at health care facility if person has completed and is certified by specified apprenticeship program.
HB3632 -- Kropf - Increases statute of limitations for first degree sex crimes to 20 years after commission of crime or, for minor victim, any time before victim attains 30 years of age, whichever occurs later.
HCR1 – Marsh - Commends Southern Oregon University on its 150th anniversary and for being an inclusive, sustainable university for the future that guides all learners to develop knowledge, capacities and audacity to innovate boldly and create lives of purpose.
HCR12 – Helm - In memoriam: Frank Moore, 1923-2022
SB53 – Findley - Adds members of household and domestic partner of candidate to list of persons who may not be employed to open ballot envelopes, handle ballots, prepare ballots for counting or count ballots. Limits personnel authorized to verify signatures on ballots to match personnel authorized to count ballots.
SB57 – Findley - Removes prohibition against sale, offer for sale, maintenance or control of female cattle of beef breed that have not been vaccinated against brucellosis.
SB406 – Weber - Requires certain cities and communities in Tillamook County to allow middle housing on residentially zoned lands, to adopt housing production strategies and to accommodate estimated housing needs upon lands inventoried as buildable lands. Requires Oregon Department of Administrative Services and Housing and Community Services Department to include those cities and communities within Oregon Housing Needs Analysis. Requires Department of Land Conservation and Development to adopt rules establishing deadlines for those Tillamook County cities and communities to meet urbanization requirement and authorizes Land Conservation and Development Commission to adopt rules to allow cooperation among those cities, communities and county to meet those requirements.
SB420 – Patterson - Directs Department of Human Services to provide specified services to individuals with brain injuries and to convene Brain Injury Advisory Committee. Requires department to report to Legislative Assembly during odd-numbered year regular sessions on services provided and number of individuals served.
SB507 – Golden - Makes certain changes to farm direct marketing law.
SB628 – Lieber - Requires health benefit plan and health care service contract coverage of pediatric autoimmune neuropsychiatric disorders associated with streptococcal infections and pediatric acute-onset neuropsychiatric syndrome.
SB643 – Knopp - Modifies provisions relating to sales of homemade foods
SB644 – Knopp - Amends requirements relating to wildfire hazard mitigation for development of accessory dwelling units on lands zoned for rural residential use.
SB718 – Girod - Provides that year in which Governor declares that drought exists, or is likely to exist, within county does not count toward period of time for forfeiture of water right for nonuse for holder of water right within county. Removes reference to repealed federal law
SB816 – Manning - Modifies duration of Family Abuse Prevention Act restraining orders.
SB864 – Hansell - Provides that person who voluntarily fights wildfire on private forestland is not civilly liable for injury to person or property resulting from good faith performance of firefighting efforts.
SB931 – Meek - Authorizes Environmental Quality Commission to adopt rules for determining whether community or area-wide sewerage system is available for purposes of sewage disposal system construction permit. Prohibits Department of Environmental Quality from determining community or area-wide sewerage system is available unless sewerage system is within 200 feet of property to be served. Sunsets prohibition on January 2, 2025.
SB955 - Appropriates moneys from General Fund to support implementation of AgriStress Helpline in Oregon.
SB957 – Hansell - Expands types of prior convictions that increase offense level for crime of public indecency. Modifies crime of luring a minor to include engaging in sexual conduct in immediate presence of minor for purposes of inducing minor to engage in sexual conduct.
SB1034 – Manning - Department from State School Fund for purpose of paying costs of educational services provided through programs operated by military department for at-risk youth.
SB1040 – Anderson - Directs Department of Early Learning and Care to establish and administer by rule pilot program for childcare micro centers. Requires department to report to committee or interim committee of Legislative Assembly related to early learning and care no later than September 15, 2025. Sunsets January 2, 2026.
SB1052 – Taylor - Modifies crimes related to involuntary servitude and human trafficking. Establishes affirmative defense for human trafficking victims. Directs Oregon Criminal Justice Commission to classify subjecting another person to involuntary servitude crimes as specified crime categories when victim was under 18 years of age at time of offense. Provides that certain evidence concerning victim of human trafficking involving involuntary servitude is not admissible. Extends statute of limitations for civil action based on violation of conduct constituting involuntary servitude or human trafficking. Requires alcohol service permittee to report suspected human trafficking on licensed premises. Directs Board on Public Safety Standards and Training to include human trafficking investigation training in minimum training required for basic police officer certification. Directs Department of Justice to develop training for certain state agencies concerning human trafficking awareness and prevention. Requires employees designated by specified agencies to annually complete training
SCR2 – Thatcher - Recognizes and honors service members of Oregon National Guard.
Courtesy of: Sen. David Brock Smith
Before the session concluded, I had the honor of calling into The Lars Larson Show to explain why I walked out and refused to vote on HB 2002 and HB 2005. I also discussed what Republicans need to do going into the 2024 election cycle in order to safe our state from the failed Democrat policies.
Here are some noteworthy successes made in higher education as highlighted in a newsletter released by the Higher Education Coordinating Commission (HECC).
Highlights of the State Postsecondary Education and Training Budget for 2023-25
We are pleased to report highlights of the postsecondary education and training budget approved by the Oregon Legislature in the HECC budget bill (HB 5025) as well as additional investments included in SB 5506 and HB 5005. These bills are now awaiting the Governor's approval. We will report in more detail on investments and other legislative outcomes in a future summary.
FINANCIAL AID AND ACCESS PROGRAMS
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$100 million increase to the Oregon Opportunity Grant (OOG): Oregon’s need-based financial aid program serving Oregonians with grants toward postsecondary expenses received a $100 million increase for 2023-25, bringing the funding to $308 million.
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$24 million for continuation of the Oregon Tribal Student Grant: This recently launched grant program that reduces affordability barriers for members of Oregon’s nine federally-recognized tribes attending eligible Oregon colleges is funded at $24 million for 2023-25. Based on this amount, HECC will fully award students next year, and return to the Legislature if further appropriations are needed.
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Funding is continued at current service levels for Oregon Promise and theOregon Student Child Care Grant. The National Guard State Tuition Assistance (ONGSTA) Program is increased by $800,000.
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$5 million for college access: A one-time investment of $1 million each made in 2021-23 to five college access programs including ASPIRE (administered by HECC) is continued as another one-time investment for 2023-25.
PUBLIC COMMUNITY COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITY FUNDS
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$800 million for Community College Support: The educational and operational expenses at Oregon 17 community colleges (primarily through the Community College Support Fund) are funded at $800 million, an increase above current service level.
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$1 billion for Public University Support: The educational and operational expenses at seven public universities (through the Public University Support Fund) are funded at $1 billion, also an increase above current service level.
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Up to $25 million for university fiscal sustainability: Fiscal sustainability at the regional universities and Portland State University is supported by $6.2 million that will be distributed in grants by the HECC, and up to $18.7 million more in grant funds that may be considered by the Emergency Board.
- Funding is increased for the Statewide Public Service Programs (The Agricultural Experiment Station, Extension Services, and Forest Research Laboratory), and at current service level for the Public University State Programs and for Oregon Health and Science University with the addition of funding for certain programs.
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The Strong Start program at the seven public universities, instituted during the pandemic to support student success, will be continued into the next biennium by re-allocating $6.8 million in unspent funds from 2021-23.
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Increase of $1.8 million to the Sports Action Lottery, which is dedicated primarily to scholarships for underrepresented and women’s intercollegiate athletes and graduate student scholarships.
ADDITIONAL WORKFORCE AND EDUCATION INVESTMENTS
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Reauthorization of Future Ready Oregon funds: The Legislature reauthorized $111.8 million Other Funds in ARPA funding to continue HECC’s implementation of Future Ready Oregon, an investment package passed in 2022 that supports education and training Oregonians need for family-wage careers, with a focus on historically underserved communities.
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Continued funding for the Oregon Workforce Development System supporting regional workforce development activities directed by Oregon’s nine local workforce development boards and Youth Workforce Development investments administered by the HECC. A one-time investment of $10 million made in 2021-23the Oregon Conservation Corps is continued as another one-time investment for 2023-25.
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HECC IT Modernization Project is funded with expenditure limitation authority for bond proceeds from 21-23 biennium and the authority for new bond funding for Phase 2 of the Project.
CAPITAL BONDING AUTHORITY
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University Capital Funding: The budget funds additional bonding authority for Public University Capital Improvement and Renewal at $100 million, along with bonding authority for six university projects totaling $243.7 million, including the first three prioritized projects on the HECC capital list: University of Oregon’s Friendly Hall, Oregon State University’s Collaborative Innovation Complex, and Portland State University’s Vernier Science and Gateway Projects. In addition, the Legislature approved funding for the PSU Smith Memorial Union and the Oregon Tech Geothermal System Emergency Renovation.
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Community College Capital Funding: The budget funds bonding authority for five new community college (CC) capital construction projects totaling $37.5 million, including Lane CC Science, Math, Engineering Building Renovation, Southwestern Oregon CC SUCCESS Project Building Remodels, Columbia Gorge CC The Dalles/Hood River Facility Renovations, Umpqua CC Welcome Center & Medical Careers Training Hub, and Portland CC Rock Creek Building 2 Complex. It also reauthorizes six existing community college capital projects through the upcoming sale of Article XI-G bonds.
  
Capitol Phone: 503-986-1401
Capitol Address: 900 Court St. NE, H-382, Salem, Oregon 97301
Email: Rep.CourtBoice@oregonlegislature.gov
Website: https://www.oregonlegislature.gov/boice
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