2024 Legislative Session Preview
Hello Friends,
It is a busy time in my office as we are beginning the 2024 Legislative Session TODAY- Monday, February 5th. I am excited to be back in the Capitol with my colleagues continuing our important work on behalf of all Oregonians. I have an unusually large number of committee assignments. My committee assignments for the session include the following:
I am excited to be able to engage on a broad spectrum of issues. We expect the top issues for the session to be addressing Oregon's drug crisis, or Measure 110, as well as Oregon's housing shortage. Stay tuned as we begin this "35 Day Dash" to March 10th. There is much to be accomplished.
Measure 110 Update
Ahead of the session, Legislative Democrats introduced their proposal to fix Measure 110. Unfortunately, this proposal does not go far enough. I released the following statement after our committee hearing:
“Oregonians have made it abundantly clear: we must reestablish hard drug use as a Class A misdemeanor so that rehabilitation treatment can be required. The current system does not include such power and a low-level Class C misdemeanor only provides 30 days in jail as an alternative. This is nowhere near the amount of time needed to address addiction,” said Rep. Kevin Mannix (R-Keizer/North Salem), a member of the committee. “Our current system is not compassionate. People are hurting. The Legislature has a responsibility to step up and meet this challenge.”
Already, the League of Oregon Cities, the Oregon Association of Chiefs of Police, the Oregon State Sheriffs’ Association and the Oregon District Attorneys Association have come out against the proposal, saying it doesn’t go far enough.
Our own Marion County District Attorney, Paige Clarkson, stated this legislation would not give prosecutors the leverage they need to compel people to change.
That is why my House Republican colleagues and I have introduced a bill that prioritizes meaningful changes, including:
- Making possession of small amounts of fentanyl, heroin and meth a Class A Misdemeanor, which carries up to a year in jail, a fine of up to $6,250, or both.
- Allowing users to avoid jail time with mandatory addiction treatment.
- Establishing a similar misdemeanor penalty for public drug use.
- Increasing the length of time that someone "incapacitated" by drugs or alcohol can be held involuntary in a sobering or treatment facility, from 48 hours to 72 hours.
You can read more about our proposal in the Oregon Capital Chronicle here.
Legislation for Session
In my last newsletter, I provided an update on my two "priority bills" for the 2024 Legislative Session. During the short session, State Legislators are only allowed to introduce two pieces of legislation, however we are not limited as to the number of bills we can "co-chief sponsor," or make priorities along with our fellow legislators. I have included some information below on several of the bills I will be engaging on throughout the session, although this is certainly not all of them.
To get more information on legislation I am sponsoring or co-chief sponsoring this session, please visit the 2024 Legislative Session tab on my website.
WES Commuter Bill
Senate Bill 1572 is a bipartisan, bicameral bill to create a multiorganizational task force — the Westside Express Advisory Committee — composed of local governments, transit agencies, railroads and public-interest groups to study extending the current rush-hour-only Westside Express Service (WES) commuter train from the current southern terminus in Wilsonville for 31 miles to Salem, with stops in Donald, Woodburn and Keizer. The bill calls for ODOT to report back to the Legislature in December 2024 with study findings and recommendations.
This bill is supported by both the City of Salem and the City of Keizer.
Civil Commitment Bill
House Bill 4074 redefines the current definition of civil commitment to provide law enforcement and prosecutors additional tools to keep an individual in crisis, as well as the general population, safe until the individual no longer poses harm.
The bill defines “dangerous to self or others” for the purpose of taking a person with mental illness into custody, as well as evidence that the court must consider in civil commitment proceedings.
This bipartisan legislation is sponsored by fellow Salem State Representative, Tom Anderson (D-Salem), and Representative Ed Diehl (R-Stayton).
Payment In-Lieu of Taxes Bill
Just as I am partnering with State Representative Tom Anderson on the Civil Commitment Bill, we are also partnering on House Bill 4072, the Payment In-Lieu of Taxes Bill. This legislation would provide Salem up to $6 million a year from the state of Oregon to offset tax revenue lost from the large amount of state-owned land in the city. The fees would come to about $5 million to $6 million annually, a sum reached by calculating the acres of state-owned land in the city and total land acreage within city limits.
This bipartisan legislation is also sponsored by Salem State Senator, Deb Patterson (D-Salem), as well as several legislators outside of Salem.
Victims Rights Package
House Bill 4146 would close loopholes and increase victims' access to justice in three main ways: addressing Oregon's current stance on revenge porn, prioritizing restraining order expansion, and fixing Oregon's invasion of privacy law.
Informational Hearing on My "Anti-Stalking" Bill
As I mentioned in my last newsletter, one of my two "priority bills" addresses Oregon's outdated anti-stalking law (House Bill 4156). 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.
This bill was selected for an informational hearing in the Joint Senate and House Judiciary Committee during January Legislative Days. I was joined by two guests to help me present this legislation - Ms. Oregon, Amber Rosenberry and Detective Sergeant at the St. Helens Police Department, Matthew Smith.
Click here to watch the video of my remarks, as well as the powerful testimonies of my two guests.
The bill has a hearing in front of the House Judiciary Committee tomorrow, February 6th at 8:00am. Click here for more information.
Printed In The Wall Street Journal
Last month, I wrote a Letter to the Editor in the Wall Street Journal titled "Closing Their Eyes on Crime." You can read my entire piece here or below.
Regarding Jason Riley’s “No, the Criminal-Justice System Isn’t Racist” (Upward Mobility, Jan. 3): Oregon’s criminal-justice commission recently announced another program to document the disproportionate number of minority prison inmates. I asked the commission if it would study the disproportionate number of minority victims of crime, noting that criminals tend to commit crimes within their own communities. The response: Such a study isn’t within its mission.
- Kevin L. Mannix
Coffee with Kevin
This past Saturday, February 3rd, I hosted "Coffee with Kevin" ahead of the 2024 Legislative Session to hear about the top-of-mind issues for my constituents here in House District 21. I want to thank Cathy Clark, Mayor of Keizer, for her attendance and important perspective.
I heard from parents concerned about the possibility of a teacher strike here in the Salem-Keizer School District and a further loss of learning. I also heard from several constituents who want to see meaningful action taken to address Measure 110 and public drug use.
In everything I do, I strive to be a voice for the constituency I represent. As we begin the session, please remember that my staff and I are here to serve as a resource for you.
Visit to the Washington Legislature
Last week, I visited the Washington Legislature to meet with Senators and Representatives of both parties who serve with me on our Joint Oregon-Washington Committee to build the new I-5 Bridge. It is nice to get to know them personally! We usually meet via zoom.
Tour with CTEC Students
In January, I spoke to Salem-Keizer students participating in the new Behavioral Health and Human Services program offered through the Career Technical Education Center (CTEC). I participated in a panel discussion held at Options Counseling and Family Services and answered questions from the students ranging from Measure 110 to funding for behavioral health services.
The CTEC students plan to visit a Behavioral Health Committee hearing at the Capitol in February. I am scheduled to speak to the CTEC students again in March during their unit on policy making. I am looking forward to this opportunity.
SAIF Agri-Business Banquet
Susanna and I visited with former State Representative, Raquel Moore-Green and her husband, Jim, at the SAIF Agri-Business Banquet, a Salem Chamber of Commerce Event, held at the Salem Convention Center. It was a great celebration of Oregon Agriculture, with a nice keynote address by Larry George of George Packing Company.
Future Business Leaders of America, North Salem High School Chapter President - Tony Salas
Recently, I met with the Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) Chapter at North Salem High School. FBLA Chapter President Tony Salas introduced me and provided me with a certificate at the end. I enjoyed the time with the students and especially appreciated Tony's hospitality. Keep doing great things, Tony!
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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