Dear Friends and Neighbors,
This week brought sunshine and our first seventy-degree days for the year. Spring flowers are popping up everywhere and the Oregon Capitol Mall Akebono cherry tree blossoms are on spectacular display this month.
By now you have probably seen a lot of media coverage highlighting the 2024 Short Session that ended on March 7th. Reflecting on the session, I am pleased that legislators on both sides of the aisle came together to find common ground and bipartisan solutions to address Oregon’s critical challenges specific to our state’s drug and addiction crisis, community safety, and our housing and homeless issues.
This newsletter is sent in advance of the “2024 legislative newsletter blackout dates” for primary election candidates which begins Friday at 12:00 am, March 22, 2024 – 11:59 pm, May 21, 2024. During this time, House rules prohibit the use of legislative resources to distribute legislative mass mailings and communications to constituents prior to primary and general elections.
As always, thank you for taking the time to read and respond to my newsletters and updates. I will look forward to connecting with you again through this newsletter format after May 21st.
Sincerely,
 Rick Lewis
Oregon State Representative
House District 18
Oregon’s Christmas Tree District
In this Issue:
View previous newsletters here.
  
HB 4001 The measure establishes the Task Force on Specialty Courts and specifies certain issues relating to specialty courts that the task force is directed to study.
HB 4003 Directs the Department of State Police to study the causes of and ways to address the medical examiner shortage, and to provide the results of the study to the appropriate interim committees of the Legislative Assembly no later than May 1, 2025.
HB 4056 Allows former owner, or their heirs or successors, to claim from the county any surplus from a property tax foreclosure.
SB 5701 Incorporated the funding provided in HB 4073 increases the biennial appropriation to the Department of Justice for the purpose of funding positions for the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force.
HB 4111 Removes the requirement that farm machinery and equipment be tangible personal property for the purposes of exemption from ad valorem property taxation.
HB 4140 Appropriates moneys to the Department of Justice to fund certain programs that assist victims of crime.
HB 4146 Provides that a petition for a Family Abuse Prevention Act order, Elderly Persons and Persons with Disabilities Abuse Prevention Act order or sexual abuse restraining order may be filed in the county in which the abuse occurred.
HB 4156 Modifies definitions pertaining to stalking orders and stalking offenses. I was proud to be a Chief Sponsor on this bill.
HB 4160 Modifies the length of time by which a person is considered a student for purposes of determining if conduct is prohibited sexual conduct.
HCR 202 The measure recognizes and honors the work of Dick Tobiason for his lifetime of service to Oregon’s veterans, Medal of Honor recipients, and Gold Star Families.
SB 1579 Establishes the Children's Advocacy Center Fund.
SB 1587 Provides certain civil liability immunities for children’s advocacy centers, their employees, and designated agents.
I was proud to Chief Sponsor the following bills:
HB 4036 This bill became the omnibus Republican response to the failures of Ballot Measure 110. While it didn’t pass, elements of the bill were ultimately a part of HB 4002, including recriminalization of life-altering, life-ending drugs like heroin, meth and fentanyl. Sadly, there were important elements in the bill that did not pass such as prison time on those who deal drugs resulting in the death of another person or persons.
HB 4046 Allows an occupying homeowner outside of an urban growth boundary to site one additional family dwelling unit on the tract of the home. This bill failed to pass despite the need for additional housing. Additional work will be done in the ’25 session in an attempt to get this bill across the finish line and provide opportunities for families to stay together on their farms. Support for the bill was strong across the state as legislators heard from farm families who want to keep their parents out of nursing homes and allow them to continue living on property they have owned for many years.
HB 4073 Increases the biennial appropriation to the Department of Justice for the purpose of funding positions for the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force. The provisions in this bill were added to the end-of-session “Christmas Tree bill” with full funding to expand the capabilities of the Internet Crimes Against Children unit at the Oregon Department of Justice.
It is an honor to serve the citizens of House District 18 and to serve with my caucus members pictured in the photo above. Thank you to my colleagues for your confidence to serve as a member of our leadership team.
Later this month on March 29th, I am looking forward to attending and speaking at ODVA’s Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day Ceremony. The event will honor all of our Oregon Vietnam War-era veterans and official copies of the Governor’s 2024 Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day proclamation will be presented to two local Vietnam veterans’ service organizations.
This year marks the 50th anniversary of the first Vietnam Veterans Day (first declared by President Ronald Reagan on March 29, 1974). The ceremony will be immediately followed by a groundbreaking at the future site of the new Oregon Vietnam War Memorial on the grounds of the Oregon State Capitol (southwest corner, near the intersection of Cottage and State Street).
It is my honor to take part in the “shovel duty” to break ground at this event. The groundbreaking ceremony is being coordinated by ODVA in partnership with the Vietnam War Memorial Fund.
Learn more about the Vietnam Veterans Memorial fund and how you can contribute to this project here.
Watch a virtual tour of the proposed Vietnam War Memorial on the Oregon Capitol Grounds here.
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Celebrate spring at the State Capitol State Park by seeing the Akebono cherry tree blossoms. For the third year, the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department (OPRD), and presenting sponsor the Oregon State Capitol Foundation, hosts "Yozakura" - a nighttime viewing of the cherry blossom trees. OPRD staff have placed lights and Japanese lanterns in the trees. Bring your picnic, blanket, chairs, and enjoy the park and ambiance of the cherry blossoms in bloom.
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If you are unable make it in person, you can view the parks livestream here: Cherry Blossoms at the Oregon State Capitol 2024 (youtube.com)
All Oregon resident taxpayers preparing their own returns in 2024 can file electronically at no cost using one of the free file options that can be found on the Department of Revenue website. A variety of choices are available, and taxpayers can use the information below to help them pick the one that best fits their needs.
Direct File Oregon is a new option this year. It allows taxpayers to file their Form OR-40 through Revenue Online. Direct File Oregon is not linked with the IRS. Taxpayers need to file a separate federal return with the IRS before filing an Oregon return with Direct File Oregon through Revenue Online.
Direct File Oregon is suited for taxpayers who want a guided experience for filing their Oregon tax return electronically. Creating a Revenue Online account and logging in to file provides the best experience. A how-to use Direct File Oregon video is available.
Oregon Free Fillable Forms performs basic calculations and is ideal for taxpayers who don’t need help preparing their returns and want the convenience of filing electronically. The IRS offers a similar option for filing federal taxes electronically.
Free Fillable forms is suited for taxpayers who don’t meet the income requirements of other free options, already have their forms filled out, are sure of their calculations, and just want to e-file for free.
Free guided tax preparation is available from four companies that participate in the Free File Alliance for taxpayers that meet income requirements. Using links from the department’s website ensures that both taxpayers’ federal and state return will be filed for free.
This option is best for taxpayers that have income less than $79,000 and need to file both their federal and Oregon returns. Each company has different requirements for who qualifies for free filing and offers must be accessed from the department’s website.
Free tax filing assistance is available through AARP Tax-Aide, the IRS Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) and Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) programs, MFS-CASH Oregon, and the United Way’s MyFreeTaxes. Each offers in person and drop off services for tax preparation by trained volunteers.
Many of these programs require an appointment. Information about these services and an interactive map to find a location near you are available on the agency’s webpage.
WHERE’S MY REFUND?
Taxpayers can see the status of their refund by using Where’s My Refund? on Revenue Online. To check the status of their refund, taxpayers will need their:
- Social Security Number (SSN) or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN);
- Filing status; and
- The exact refund amount shown on:
- Line 46 of their Form OR-40, or
- Line 71 of their Form OR-40-N, or
- Line 70 of their Form OR-40-P
The Department of Revenue recommends that taxpayers wait one week after they have electronically filed their return to use the Where’s My Refund tool. Most refunds are issued within two weeks, but returns that need more review may take up to 16 weeks before a refund is issued.
From the Revolutionary War to the present day, women have bravely served our nation with unwavering dedication, resilience, and valor. On this Women’s Military History Week (March 17-23), I join ODVA in recognizing and honoring the women who have served and continue to serve in every branch of military service. Your sacrifices, courage, and commitment to duty are an inspiration to us all. In honor of Women’s Military History Week in Oregon (March 17-23), the Oregon Department of Veterans’ Affairs has been recognizing women who have served in the United States military throughout our country’s history, in every branch of military service.
Resources for Women Veterans
Women Veterans Call Center: The Women Veterans Call Center (WVCC) is your guide to VA. It is your resource for information about a variety of services and benefits that you’ve earned and deserve through your military service. To get in touch with the WVCC, you can call or text 855-VA-WOMEN (855-829-6636).
Military Women’s Memorial: The Military Women’s Memorial is a one-of-a-kind tribute to America’s servicewomen, past and present. The Memorial features an education center, interactive exhibits, and a world-class collection of military women’s stories. Learn more or register your service at womensmemorial.org.
Center for Women Veterans: The Center for Women Veterans’ (CWV) mission is to monitor and coordinate the federal VA’s administration of health care, benefits, services, and programs for women veterans. Stay in touch, sign up for email, follow the CWV on Facebook and X (formerly twitter) @VAWomenVets. Learn more at va.gov/womenvet.
I am pleased to hear of the Governor Kotek’s letter to the Oregon Transportation Commission to halt tolling on I-5 and I-205 last week. We have a great deal of work to do to evaluate Oregon’s transportation infrastructure and how to best fund it for the future. I look forward to these conversations in the 2025 session where I anticipate this will be a discussion involving a new transportation package. It is absolutely critical that we examine all funding alternatives including a surcharge on electric vehicle charging stations to ensure that owners of all types of vehicles pay their fair share for our transportation infrastructure. I will likely bring back a bill in ’25 that I chief-sponsored in the ’23 session to that end. A part of the transportation discussion in the coming session also needs to include a review of ODOT funding and expenditures.
 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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