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Dear Friends,
After a quick kick-off Monday with the start of the 82nd Legislative Session, committees across the board began the process of hearing 2024 legislation before the impending short session deadlines.
I thought I would try something different this and do a short video recap of the week. I will try to do this every week during the short session.
You can watch here or by clicking on the picture below.
Be Safe,
This week, I found myself testifying on two bills that I feel will have an impact on House District 60 and the state at large.
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HB 4060: Oregon Agricultural Heritage Funding. This bill would allocate nearly $11 million to the Oregon Agricultural Heritage Fund (OAHF). Founded in 2017, OAHF helps farmers and ranchers across the state deal with farmland fragmentation and conversions, complex regulations, and planning for generational transfers. These voluntary incentives help farmers and ranchers maintain or enhance agricultural and natural resources with the goal of keeping lands in Oregon working lands for generations to come. I proudly introduced this bill and am happy to announce that HB 4060 passed unanimously out of committee.
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SB 1502: Requires School Boards to Livestream Meetings and Post Recordings Online. This bill would also require that school boards across the state allow testimony via phone or internet at meetings where the board permits in-person oral testimony. However, I testified against this bill because I believe that despite the pursuit of statewide transparency, we’re setting up our small rural and frontier schools and communities to be publicly harassed and humiliated by outside parties by sharing these meetings on social media. I have worked with the sponsors of this bill to draft an amendment that will work for all communities in Oregon.
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SB 1583: Prohibits Discrimination of Selecting Books or Materials for Public Schools. This legislation severely restricts the authority of local school boards to oversee the educational curriculum, undermining their control over textbooks and instructional materials. School boards know their community’s needs, I always advocate for the importance of local control.
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Virtual Town Hall Event. I’ll be hosting my first townhall of the legislative session along with Senator Findley on Wednesday, February 21, at 5:30pm (PT). You can register here.
The Oregon State Capitol is the People’s Building, and as such, we encourage all levels of participation. Please submit written testimony, sign-up to testify in-person or online, email committee members and legislators, and ensure that your voice is heard during this legislative session. Find out how by clicking here.
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Harney Domestic Well Remediation Fund Launches February 21. The Oregon Water Resources Department’s Harney Domestic Well Remediation Fund (HDWF) may reimburse qualifying homeowners in the Greater Harney Valley Groundwater Area of Concern (GHVGAC) for a portion of the cost to repair or replace and abandon a household water well. The well must provide or have provided household water for homes constructed prior to April 15, 2016. If approved for funding, a homeowner could receive 75% of the cost (up to $10,000) to repair or replace their well. If the well is replaced, the old well must be abandoned, and an additional $3,500 may be awarded to cover those costs. Applications for this grant will be accepted through May 31, 2024 and an informational meeting will be held March 6 at 5:30pm at the Harney County Community Center.
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The Oregon Blue Book Photo Contest Kicks Off. Think you’ve got a photo worth a thousand words? Make sure to enter this year’s contest by October 27th and find out more about the photo guidelines here.
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It’s tax season! Ensure you’re taking advantage of the Earned Income Tax Credit, the Oregon Kid’s Credit, and claiming your Oregon Refund Kicker. Click here to find out tax benefits for families in Oregon. When you’re ready to file, remember that you can always take advantage of free filing options.
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Commodity Commissioner Openings. The Oregon Department of Agriculture is seeking applicants to fill 66 commissioner seats on 22 of the state’s agricultural and commercial fisheries commodity commissions. Apply by March 15, 2024 here.
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Oregon State Board of Agriculture Positions Available. Governor Kotek is seeking two applicants to fill partial terms for the Board of Ag producer positions. Applicants must apply by March 29, 2024. To apply, click here.
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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