Interim Newsletter: January
House District 21,
Happy New Year! I hope you had a wonderful holiday season with friends and family.
Now that 2024 is here, our schedule in the Legislature is rapidly picking up. January 10th through the 12th, we have January Legislative Days, where each of our committees will meet for the last time prior to the 2024 Legislative Session which begins on Monday, February 5th.
In Oregon, during even numbered years, we have what are called “short sessions,” meaning we only have 35 days according to Oregon’s Constitution for the purpose of “lawmaking.” This means we must be wrapped up with legislative business no later than Sunday, March 10th.
During short sessions, legislators are only allowed to introduce two pieces of legislation. Keep reading below for an update about my two priority bills.
Priority Bills - 2024 Legislative Session
One of my priority bills for the 2024 Legislative Session will modernize Oregon’s anti-stalking law. I wrote the original law in 1995, and it has worked well for the areas it covers, but we now have modern internet and electronic communications to deal with. My proposed bill is the result of working with recent stalking victims and law enforcement. It will broaden the scope of the stalking law to cover many new kinds of electronic and internet harassment, including efforts to damage a victim’s identity and credit rating.
My second priority bill is designed to reduce the opportunity for predatory sexual behavior by educators who work with children. We have seen some dangerous grooming behaviors by school staff with students who are close to graduation from high school. I am working with the Salem-Keizer School District and other school authorities to strengthen the protection against such behavior.
Measure 110 Hearing
I am proud to serve on the Joint Interim Committee on Addiction and Community Safety Response, the committee tasked with tacking Oregon’s addiction crisis and Measure 110. On December 4th, the committee held a public hearing to gain input directly from Oregonians on the issue. Below is a quote I released following the hearing:
What has become abundantly clear is that Measure 110 needs dramatic revisions. On the one hand, people need to be held accountable for their abuse of street drugs, which leads so many of them to commit crimes to feed their addictions. On the other hand, we need to dramatically reform our drug rehabilitation delivery system so that those who are addicted can promptly receive comprehensive treatment which will put them on the road to recovery.
House Republicans have offered solutions to the failures of Measure 110 that include repealing failed and ineffective aspects of the law and instituting actions widely supported by the people of Oregon, including banning the public use of hard drugs, instituting penalties for those who possess deadly drugs like fentanyl, making treatment mandatory for those arrested on drug-related crimes, and directing resources to the county level so local entities can better address areas of acute need.
You can watch the committee hearing here.
Rep. Mannix Speaks During the Hearing on December 4th.
Federal Support of the Interstate 5 Bridge Project
In December, the federal government announced a $600 million commitment to the Interstate 5 Bridge Replacement Project. I serve on the Joint Committee on Transportation, the Joint Committee on Ways and Means, and the Joint Interim Committee on The Interstate 5 Bridge. You can read my entire statement following the announcement below.
Rail As an Economic Strength
Last month, I wrote an op-ed in the Oregon Capital Insider titled “Rail is an economic development strength for Oregon." I discussed the rapid growth we are seeing in the Mid-Willamette Valley, from housing to logistics, and the necessity of rail as a result.
You can read the entire op-ed here.
During the upcoming Short Session, I am also a Co-Chief Sponsor, along with Senator Woods, of a bill to study the extension of the existing Westside Express Service line (WES). Currently WES runs from Beaverton to Wilsonville. This bill proposes to extend that line from Wilsonville to Salem.
This line will not compete with other commuter rail systems. This will be more of a local access line for folks to get off and on intermediate service.
This system will reduce traffic on I-5 and prioritize the needs of the underrepresented, underserved, and economically disadvantaged members of our community. Access to reliable and efficient transportation is a cornerstone of economic opportunity and social equity.
By providing a dependable and affordable transportation option, we can bridge the gap between various parts of our cities and connect residents to vital employment centers, education opportunities, and essential services.
Additionally, by promoting the use of public transportation, we can reduce individual reliance on personal vehicles, resulting in lower carbon emissions and a positive impact on our environment.
A large segment of Oregon’s population would be served by this commuter rail line. Oregon needs to initiate the planning and development of this commuter rail line, but we realize we will need to see substantial federal funding to see implementation of rail line plan.
Recreational Immunity
Another important issue that I am working on is brining back protections to landowners, both public and private, when they allow people to use their land at no charge. I recently wrote about this in the Keizertimes and have included my article below.
There is an Oregon law I refer to as the “Good Neighbor Act” which allows public and private property owners to grant property access, free of charge, to individuals for recreational use without being held liable for any injuries that may occur. This covers any recreational activity from hunting, fishing, hiking, or even picnicking.
As you may know, I served for a decade in the State Legislature prior to being elected again in 2022. During my previous time in office, I was the sole sponsor of the “Good Neighbor Act” (House Bill 2296), otherwise known as the Recreational Immunity Act, during the 1995 Legislative Session.
This law was founded with the goal of preserving and promoting the “Oregon Spirit”, which I believe to be a deep love and appreciation for the outdoors. And the law has had the intended effect, providing Oregonians increased access to our beaches, hiking trails, streams, and open lands, allowing us all to more fully enjoy the natural beauty Oregon has to offer.
Well, here we are nearly 30 years later, and this law has recently come under attack. The Oregon Court of Appeals recently ruled that the City of Newport could not use “recreational immunity” to dismiss a lawsuit from a woman who sued the city after slipping and breaking her leg while crossing a trail bridge.
This law has consistently protected not just private landowners, but local, county, and state jurisdictions that provide land for recreation from liability should injury occur.
When the Oregon Supreme Court declined to hear this case in October, the largest insurance carrier for cities and counties in Oregon declared the court had “effectively ended recreational immunity” and advised cities to consider closing trails.
This decision has already had a waterfall effect with at least five trails in Waldport, Oceanside and the Port of Garibaldi having closed, as well as delaying trail projects.
While local governments and counties do not want to close their recreational lands, I understand that the potential threat of liability is simply too great. They simply cannot afford unaccounted legal fees.
As the original author of this legislation, I am committed to bringing this issue to light during the 2024 Legislative Session and finding a way to resolve this issue to protect what Oregonians love most – the outdoors.
The Legislature must find ways to keep the ”Oregon Spirit” alive. This lies in community and access to recreation – not in lawsuits.
The “Good Neighbor Act” is currently contained within ORS 105.676, 105.682, 105.688, 105.692, and 105.696.
New Year's Eve - Evergreen Aviation and Space Museum
Susanna and I enjoyed a New Year's Eve celebration at the Evergreen Aviation and Space Museum in McMinnville. Below is a photo of us on the steps to the DC-3 aircraft, one of the many wonders on display at the museum.
Oregon Civics Conference for Teachers
Recently, I attended a coffee for the Oregon Civics Conference for Teachers at the Keizer Civic Center. The conference was hosted by the Civics Learning Project which not only prepares youth to be active, engaged, and informed participants in society, but provides professional development opportunities to teachers throughout Oregon. It was an honor to meet several of our outstanding teachers in Oregon educating the next generation.
Oregon Bottle Drop Tour
In Oregon, we have the “Bottle Drop” program which allows Oregonians to return their empty bottles and cans for a $0.10 refund value. This system remains one of the most effective in the nation and helps recycle over two billion containers a year. I was able to tour the inside of one of these facilities with my colleague, Representative Cramer. This was an incredibly informative experience, and I was grateful for the opportunity.
Supporting Local Businesses
Susanna and I enjoy eating at locally owned restaurants. During the Christmas season, we had a delicious breakfast at Mommy & Maddi's at 4765 River Road North in Keizer. They are open at 7:30 a.m. seven days a week. Below is a photo of us with Cherish Clark, the owner. Next time you are wanting a delicious breakfast, visit Mommy & Maddi’s.
Local Job Fair
Looking for work? Check out this job fair hosted by Mid-Willamette Valley Community Action.
Keizer First Citizen Awards Banquet
Don’t miss Keizer’s First Citizen Award Banquet! Registration is now open here.
Small Business Success Summit
Wanting to grow your small business? Sign up for the Small Business Success Summit hosted by the Oregon Business Resource Center here.
Oregon Civics Bee
Information Provided by Oregon Business & Industry
Do you know an Oregon middle-schooler who’d like to flex some civics muscles and compete for up to $1,000 in cash prizes? If so, the inaugural Oregon Civics Bee is the perfect opportunity. OBI is proud to support the Bee, which is open to all Oregon students in grades six, seven and eight. Participating students must write a 500-word essay that identifies a community problem and explains how to address it using founding principles and civic virtues. Essays must be submitted no later than Jan. 8 using an online portal on the Oregon Civics Bee website, where students and their families can find additional guidance on founding principles, civic virtues and more.
More information can be found here.
Thank you for reading. It is an honor to serve as your State Representative.
Sincerely,
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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