Dear Friends and Neighbors,
Fall arrived and it did so with much-needed rain. The crisp mornings and colorful leaves take us into a whole new season to celebrate Oregon’s harvest just in time to find that perfect pumpkin at your local pumpkin patch.
Autumn’s beauty can be found in every part of our state and House District 18 serves up a bounty with its rich agriculture history. This month we celebrate National Farmer’s Day. Please join me in thanking our hardworking farmers and their families who make a significant impact on Oregon’s agricultural landscape. Let them know how grateful you are for the vital work to ensure a reliable source of fresh, quality foods in our grocery stores and on our tables every day.
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In this newsletter, I will highlight September legislative days, my activities around the district and more. As always, thank you for following along and for sharing your feedback, thoughts, and ideas.
Sincerely,
 Rick Lewis
State Representative
House District 18
Oregon’s Christmas Tree District
In this Issue:
Read past news and information here.
 
In late September, legislators returned to the Capitol for the first of three Interim Legislative Days since the 2023 session adjourned in June. Committees received updates in various policy areas and important budget matters involving state government. This information will be used as we prepare for the 2024 session that starts on February 5, 2024. The following are highlights from my committee assignments. You can listen in and replay the committee meetings by clicking on their respective links below:
The Joint Committee on Transportation Special Subcommittee On Transportation Planning held it’s first informational meeting since its formation in June. We heard from the Co-Chairs of the Joint Transportation Committee, Rep. McLain, Sen. Gorsek, and from the Governor’s Transportation and Infrastructure Advisor. The meeting focused on the subcommittee’s identified purpose and the process to address proposed tolling in Oregon.
The subcommittee’s Co-Chairs, Rep. Nathanson and Sen. Frederick, shared a broad overview of the workplan moving ahead, which will involve the committee’s outreach into the communities most highly impacted. We also heard from The Oregon Transportation Commission on the process to address the proposed tolling plan and from the Oregon Department of Transportation who provided some foundational background on traffic congestion, potential infrastructure, and outcomes of proposed tolling revenue.
This committee has been set up as a subcommittee of the Joint Transportation Committee, with the goal of doing a deep dive into the issues and the work done around tolling to this point specific to road system capacity, traffic, and congestion. I have heard from folks from around the state on the subject of tolling. It is clear that Oregonians have a lot to say on this subject and the impacts it will have on their daily lives. I am eager to delve into the details to explore the right path forward for Oregon as our gas-tax revenue declines. It is my hope that the public and the primary and local stakeholders involved will have the opportunity to weigh in fully on this complex issue. A total of 10 meetings are planned between now and the end of the February 2024 session. You can review the materials submitted for this meeting here.
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The JWM Subcommittee on Public Safety kicked off with an informational meeting to organize and adopt the interim committee rules, followed by an overview of what members could expect during the November and January interim legislative days. November will bring agency requests for other funds and federal funds, while January will be action-packed with a lot of budget requests in preparation for the 2024 short session.
The scope of our work in September covered six items. Three involved work sessions related to compensation plan changes from the Judicial Department and the Commission on Judicial Fitness and Disability. We received two reports from the Public Defense Services Commission, a report from the Department of Public Safety Standards and Training and held an informational hearing on the Department of Corrections Community Corrections program. You can review the meeting materials on each topic here.
The Joint Interim Committee On Ways and Means finished out September Legislative Days on Friday, September 29. We had a packed agenda and work sessions to vote on various consent grants that were passed out of the Education, Human Services, Natural Resources and Transportation, and Economic Development Subcommittees. The committee also voted to approve the following individual items:
Individual Items
1. Judicial Department - Compensation Plan Changes
2. Commission on Judicial Fitness and Disability - Compensation Plan Changes
3. Public Defense Services Commission - Comprehensive Remediation Plan
4. Public Defense Services Commission - Unrepresented Defendant/Persons Crisis
6. Department of Education - School Infrastructure
7. Department of Education - Food Service Equipment
9. Oregon Health Authority - Emerging Infections
15. Department of Public Safety Standards and Training - Basic Police Course Pilot Program 17. Department of Emergency Management - Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security
20. Housing and Community Services Department - Shelter and Rehousing Investment
22. Department of Land Conservation and Development - Development and Zoning Codes 27. Department of Energy - Solar for All
29. Parks and Recreation Department - Owyhee Fish Cleaning Station
31. Department of Forestry - Forest Legacy Tualatin Hills Acquisition
32. Department of Forestry - Forest Legacy Minam Acquisition
36. Department of Forestry - Forest Legacy Administration
39. Department of Transportation - Bikeshare
40. Department of Transportation - Interstate 5 Bridge Replacement
41. Department of Transportation - I-5 Rose Quarter Improvement
43. Department of Transportation - Tri-State Truck Parking Information System
50. Public Employees Retirement System - Preliminary Changes to Actuarial Methods and Assumptions
51. Department of Administrative Services - Compensation Plan Changes
Committee materials and subcommittee recommendations can be found here.
On September 28, the House Interim Committee on Emergency Management, General Government and Veterans, of which I serve as the Vice-Chair, held an informational meeting.
We received an update and Emergency Support Function briefing from the State Resilience Officer and an update from the Oregon Department of Emergency Management. The presentations on our state’s disaster response and recovery plan, as well as the comprehensive emergency managements plans were informative. During the presentation, I asked the presenters about the coordination and partnerships being fostered among emergency management agencies at all levels. I was pleased to hear consensus among the agency representatives that collaboration is key to effective incident management.
The Oregon Department of Veterans Affairs (ODVA) and other veteran and housing advocates provided a briefing on Veteran Housing and Homelessness in Oregon. Of significance, we learned that 8.1% of the total homeless population are veterans. That actual number equates to a total of 1,460 homeless Oregon veterans. Sadly, 50% of those individuals are reported to be 65 years of age or older. The briefing indicated that the key to reduce the impacts of homelessness on these vets is to connect them with their VA benefits, especially healthcare. The ODVA discussed the grants and other programs they have to help connect vets with their benefits. It was also encouraging to hear from veterans who operate housing and advocacy organizations in Salem and Portland. I want to thank ODVA Director, Kelly Fitzpatrick, for her leadership and hard work to prioritize the needs of veterans and their families and wish her the best in her retirement in the coming month.
During the hearing, I raised the issue with ODVA and my fellow committee members about ensuring that the constitutionally required 1.5% of net lottery proceeds go to veterans’ services. That requirement was approved by the voters and I remain firm in my stance that it not be diluted by any sort of budgetary slight of hand.
The final agenda item covered PERS related to high-risk/high-stress jobs. The PERS Director presented on the implications of adding such new classifications to the overall PERS system. The director also discussed the modernization of the department’s technology systems. Meeting materials related to the presentations can be found here.
 
On September 28, the Interim Committee on Judiciary heard reports and updates from several executive branch public safety agencies and other stakeholders. The Department of Corrections (DOC) Director provided a briefing on the agency’s Gender Informed Practices Assessment Report (GIPA). It contains 12 areas of improvement for DOC to address. The report identified concerns regarding the treatment of female adults in custody for which the agency indicates they are proactively addressing. The full GIPA report can be reviewed here.
We also heard from three local community corrections directors from urban and rural parts of the state who expressed the need for additional funding to prevent cuts to both personnel and services at the county level due to state budget reductions. The directors collectively spoke of a higher risk population being sentenced to supervision or being released from prison onto post-prison supervision and that local community correction agencies do not have sufficient resources to supervise that population. Throughout the 2023 session, I continued to express my concerns about the need to adequately fund community corrections and remain concerned about the implications of not doing so.
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The Criminal Justice Commision provided the committee updates and current data and trends on crime rates and recidivism. We also heard from the Public Defense Services Commission and the Office of Public Defense Services (OPDS) on the implementation of SB 337 which was passed to address Oregon’s ongoing shortage of public defenders. Leaders of OPDS testified that both the number of public defenders is increasing and, more importantly, the number of accused persons without counsel is decreasing. We also heard that some defense attorneys have refused to take on as many cases as originally forecast. Consequently, the agencies forecasted models will need to be reviewed and possibly adjusted with the Department of Administrative Services (DAS).
Lastly, we heard information regarding the Industrial Hemp Regulations and Enforcement and the collaboration between the Department of Agriculture and the Oregon Liquor and Cannabis Commission relating to the scheduled sunset of HB 3000 (2021). Meeting materials can be reviewed here.
On September 11, I enjoyed attending the Bountiful Farms Nursery legislative tour hosted by the Oregon Association of Nurseries (OAN) to discuss and learn about local ag issues in our region. OAN is a non-profit trade association that represents more than 600 individual nursery stock producers, retailers, landscapers, and related companies serving the nursery and greenhouse industry.
OAN is the main voice for Oregon's nursery and greenhouse producers, re-sellers, transporters, retailers, and suppliers. It is governed by a volunteer Board of Directors with oversight by a seven-member Executive Committee. Day-to-day functions are managed by an executive director and a paid professional staff.
A big thank you to Bountiful Farms Nursery for your hospitality and to those who made this opportunity possible.
On September 13, I had the pleasure of visiting the Clackamas Workforce Partnership legislative event to celebrate WorkSource Oregon – Clackamas Workforce Partnership’s (CWP) collaboration in the workforce system. Thank you to CWP's Executive Director, Board Members, and Partners for showcasing the work you are doing to support job seekers and business partners alike.
Learn more about WorkSource Clackamas & Clackamas Workforce Partnership here.
On September 27, I was honored to receive Parrott Creek Child and Family Services 2023 Heart of Service award during their Partner Appreciation event. This recognition and acknowledgement of my legislative work reflects the collective efforts of many dedicated individuals.
It is my honor to support the work of Parrott Creek in rebuilding the lives of vulnerable children and families involved in the juvenile justice and child welfare systems. Again, thank you for this extraordinary recognition. Read more about Parrott Creek programs and services here.
On September 27, we celebrated two significant legislative achievements from the 2023 session to honor veterans and their families. Thank you to Governor Kotek for taking the time to commemorate the passage of HB 2146 & HB 2147.
HB 2146 was introduced as a committee bill in the House Interim Committee on Veterans and Emergency Management at the request of Dick Tobiason. The measure designates 477 miles, the portion of U.S. Highway 30 between the intersection with U.S. Highway 101 and the Idaho border, as the Oregon Gold Star Families Memorial Highway. A Gold Star Family is a family that has experienced the loss of a loved one in their immediate family who died as a direct result of their military service. The signs for the highway designation are paid for through donations. I am grateful for the hard work of retired Army Lt. Colonel Dick Tobiason, chair of Bend Heroes Foundation, for his tireless efforts to see this project and other veteran highway designation projects through over the past 14 years. Dick Tobiason is a true champion for veterans. Read more about Dick’s work here.
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It was my privilege to carry HB 2146 on the House floor to honor Oregon Gold Star Families. Click here to view a replay of my floor speech.
I was also honored to join the ceremonial bill signing and Representative Goodwin’s efforts in the successful passage of HB 2147. The measure provides a path for the cremated remains of veterans that are unclaimed to now be interred in a national cemetery and received a proper military burial.
 Retired and still working to keep Oregon safe.
I always enjoy spending time with my former police chief colleagues to check in and catch up on public safety issues. The support and shared experiences we have has enriched my life and my work in the legislature. I look forward to our next gathering.
The Oregon Department of Revenue has shared the following information:
The Oregon Office of Economic Analysis (OEA) has confirmed a revenue surplus of more than $5.61 billion in the 2021-2023 biennium, triggering a tax surplus credit, or “kicker,” for the 2023 tax year. The surplus 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. DOR Kicker Calculator Personal income taxpayers can determine the amount of their kicker using a “What’s My Kicker?” calculator available on Revenue Online. To use the calculator, taxpayers will need to enter their name, Social Security Number, and filing status for 2022 and 2023.
Taxpayers may also hand-calculate the amount of their credit, by multiplying their 2022 tax liability before any credits—line 22 on the 2022 Form OR-40—by 44.28 percent. This percentage is determined and certified by OEA. Taxpayers who claimed a credit for tax paid to another state would need to subtract the credit amount from their liability before calculating the credit. How is the kicker returned to taxpayers? The kicker will be returned to taxpayers through a credit on their 2023 state personal income tax returns that may be filed starting in 2024.
Taxpayers who have not yet filed a 2022 tax return – possibly making them eligible for a kicker - should do so, and pay any tax owed, so they can claim their kicker credit when they file their 2023 tax return. Other important kicker information The state may use all or part of a taxpayer’s kicker to pay any state debt they owe, such as tax due for other years, child support, court fines, or school loans.
Taxpayers may choose to donate their kicker to the Oregon State School Fund for K-12 public education using a checkbox on their return. The donation is for 100 percent of a taxpayer’s kicker and may not be revoked if selected.
Taxpayers may also choose to donate all or part of their kicker to any or all of the 29 charities approved by the Charitable Checkoff Commission. Taxpayers use Form OR-DONATE to designate any amount, or all of their refund, to donate to charity. 2024 Tax Filing Season
The filing season for 2023 Oregon Income Tax returns will open in mid-January 2024. The department will begin making any refund payments owed to taxpayers in mid-February 2024. The timing of return processing and refund payments will depend on the date filed by a taxpayer, completeness of a return, volume of returns, refund amount, and other factors. We look forward to serving taxpayers in this historic season.
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My heart and prayers go out to the Israeli people who have suffered attacks and atrocities from Hamas terrorists acting without regard for humanity.
I stand firm with Israel and Oregon’s Jewish communities as they take steps to protect their security and sovereignty.
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Capitol Phone: 503-986-1418
Capitol Address: 900 Court St. NE, H-385, Salem, Oregon 97301
Email: Rep.RickLewis@oregonlegislature.gov
Website: http://www.oregonlegislature.gov/lewis
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