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Friends,
Today, we commenced the 82nd Oregon Legislative session, I am honored to update you on our ongoing commitment to champion rural values in Oregon.
With just 35 days scheduled for the 2024 short legislative session, you can expect bills to move fast. This week, roughly 300 bills were released to the public covering issues ranging from hospital worker safety to elk depredation, and everything in between. To keep the session running on track, bills must clear the first chamber by February 23. Due to the constrained timeline, legislators have been warned that evenings and weekends are considered working hours.
As we prepare for the next 35 days, I wanted to share with you some of the biggest priorities across both parties for the 2024 short session, including Measure 110, Housing, and Wildfire Funding.
Hot Topics:
One of our primary focuses this session will be on fixing Ballot Measure 110.
If you remember, M110 decriminalized small amounts of certain street drugs, while purporting to reinvest local marijuana dollars for statewide addiction and recovery services. Not only has M110 failed the Oregonians who need these services, it has created a safe haven for drug use across our entire state, afflicting harm and abuse on every community in Oregon. This session, we are proposing solutions to fix M110 and make our communities a safer place to live, work, and raise families.
Though M110 will take most of this session’s focus, Oregon continues to struggle with our housing crisis. To address this, Gov. Kotek is reintroducing House Bill 3414 from the 2023 session, which would expand urban growth boundaries for communities to develop moderate and affordable housing statewide. This bill also includes the creation of a new state agency that would work with local governments to establish, meet, and expedite local housing goals.
As we battle our drug and housing crisis this session, we will also work to create a new funding mechanism for fighting large wildfires. The proposed solution aims to create an additional $20 million annually.
House District 60 Bills:
As the House and Senate convene today, I’ve Chief-Sponsored 12 bills that I believe will benefit our district and the state of Oregon. Below, you’ll find a list of those bills.
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HB 4066: Requires insurance for cars shared for money and that some information be given to the shared car owner and the shared car driver.
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HB 4049: This Act directs OSU to study the fate of PFAS in biosolids that are spread on farm fields.
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HB 4106: The Act directs the State Forester to create harvest levels for cutting timber on state forestland.
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HB 4108: Requires a health care worker who is present when a child is born alive after an abortion to give the same level of care as if the child was born alive after a normal birth.
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HB 4120: The Act creates a grant program to help some people in custody with opioid addiction.
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HB 4128: Tells a state agency to conduct a study of water equipment in this state.
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HB 4133: The Act makes changes related to a forest products tax.
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HB 4142: The Act restricts pretrial release for persons who commit a new felony sex crime while on pretrial release for a felony sex crime.
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HB 4148: The Act directs an agency to expand programs related to wildlife illness.
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HB 4150: The Act allows for some doctors or people like doctors to be told when a patient overdoses on a drug.
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SB 1542: Raises exemption and filing thresholds for CAT tax.
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SB 1543: The Act lowers weight-mile taxes.
How to Get Involved:
During the legislative session, Oregonians across the state can ensure their voices are heard by submitting written testimony or signing up to testify in-person or online. Constituents can also contact committee staff and members about specific legislation, keep track of upcoming bills, and sign-up for newsletters and press releases. Below, you’ll find some helpful links to get you started.
-Sign-up to testify: click here for directions
-Submit written testimony: click here for directions
-Citizen Engagement: click here for more information
-Sign-up for email updates: click here to subscribe
Due to the nature of the short session, our office understands the necessity of timely reporting and transparent communication. I will be sending weekly updates from the session and ways for House District 60 constituents to stay engaged.
As always, your input is invaluable to me, and I encourage you to reach out with your thoughts and concerns.
Mark Owens
House District 60
Capitol Phone: 503-986-1460
Capitol Address: 900 Court St NE, H-475, Salem, OR 97301
Capitol Email: Rep.MarkOwens@oregonlegislature.gov
Capitol Website: http://www.oregonlegislature.gov/owens
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