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To contact me, please click here: Rep.CourtBoice@oregonlegislature.gov
Dear Friends and Neighbors,
Last month I was in Salem for Legislative Days and attending Interim Committee Meetings. During the interim the Oregon legislature will meet to hear reports from agencies or other stakeholders. We may learn more about legislation passed in the last few sessions, or new issues which may have arisen.
This time allows for meetings with constituents, other legislators and lobby groups who are already beginning to form ideas for future legislation in the 2025 long session. Starting in June legislators will begin working on their ideas.
My current interim committees are:
House Interim Committee On Agriculture, Land Use, Natural Resources, and Water
House Interim Committee On Housing and Homelessness
Over the summer I will be spending a lot of time in the district, please reach out to me if you have any concerns, questions or issues we can help with.
God Bless
 Representative Court Boice
House District 1
I had the privilege to attend the signing of HB 4132 Support for Oregon Coast Marine Reserves.
HB 4132 will protect marine life along Oregon’s coast. This bill focuses on Oregon’s five marine reserves, which are coastal waters dedicated to scientific research and conservation. HB 4132 calls on the state to outline ways to continue protecting these coastal waters from developments and other threats to marine life. It provides the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife with funding to do this work.
Nearly 200 people attended the Agenda Packed Oregon Coastal Caucus Economic Summit on May 8 in Lincoln City.
A full day filled with insightful discussions and networking opportunities that focused on the economic development and sustainability of our beautiful Oregon Coast. A huge thanks to PacWest and all the wonderful sponsors who support our work to always improve our state’s Economy, Create Jobs, and solve the Housing Crisis.
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Congresswoman Chavez-DeRemer signs copy of U.S. Constitution with House Representatives Boice, Goodwin, and Diehl.
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2024 Oregon Fire Prep – Jacque Buchanan and Merv George – Regional Supervisor and Deputy Regional Supervisor – in charge of all Pacific Northwest – 17 national forests.
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Oregon Dairies – 2024 Annual Banquet and Dairy Princesses – 10 wonderful dairies in Boice, Coos, Curry, and Douglas Counties House District 1. |
 
 At the Oregon Anglers Association I presented Senator Merkley with a Salmon Recovery Plaque.
  Photo - State Representative Court Boice, Dist. 1
Executive Director Coos-Curry Housing Authority - Matt Vorderstrasse
State Senator Dick Anderson, Dist. 5
Regional Housing Coordinator - Southern Oregon Coast and Housing Summit Organizer Stephanie Hadley
I'm proud to sit on the Housing and Homeless Committee. We're making some progress. We passed four separate Housing related bills, two that were led by the Governor, during the 2024 Short Session which provides some hope and even a bit of enthusiasm for me! We are doing our best to deal with this crisis. Our 2024 Summit was very well organized with some excellent speakers from all over Oregon. We have so much work to do on this issue in the 2025 Full Session - so we need to get better focused so we can get roofs over Citizens heads. Land Use changes are critical!. Terrific job Matt, Stephanie and Board Member Connie Hunter!
Oregon's gas prices have surged, marking the largest increase in the nation, according to a recent report by AAA. This rise places Oregon among the top five states with the highest gas prices.
What’s behind this significant jump? A major factor is the state’s alignment with other high-cost states that impose substantial gas taxes to fund environmental initiatives. This trend is evident not only in Oregon but also in states like California and Washington, which also have some of the highest gas prices in the country.
These policies, often seen as well-intentioned, can disproportionately impact lower-income residents.. Small businesses, unlike large corporations, might struggle to handle these added expenses, potentially leading to severe economic consequences.
 I recently attended the Port of Bandon New Dock Facilities and Boat Ramp Rebuild Ceremony along with Senator David Brock Smith. In 2022, Senator DBS through the Capitol Improvement Funding program worked very hard to obtain the $7M needed for the substantial Port Infrastructure Work. About 60 people attended the ceremony including Bandon Mayor Mary Schemehorn.
NEW LUMBER PLANTS COMING TO DOUGLAS COUNTY
Senator Brock Smith and I couldn’t be happier with the collective efforts of Business Oregon, Douglas and Coos County Commissioners, Roseburg Forest Products and the CCD Leadership. Soon 120 new jobs will be available in Dillard as part of our House District 1 and Douglas County important Economic Footprint. We are proud to see that Timber remains as “King” in Southwest Oregon.
Dillard Components will be the first of the new plants to come online, with startup expected in late summer 2024. The plant will convert specialty medium density fiberboard (MDF) panels manufactured at Roseburg’s MDF plant in Medford, Ore., into Armorite® Trim, a finished exterior trim product for residential and shed use. This is an innovative new product that Roseburg recently introduced to the market.
Dillard MDF will use wood residuals from Roseburg’s local mills and other regional suppliers to manufacture standard MDF panels, as well as thin high density fiberboard (HDF), often used in cabinetry, doors, and other applications. The plant will produce panels with a thickness range from 2 mm to 28 mm.
Learn more here.
Recently I was on with Kyle Bailey at News Radio 1240 KQEN to discuss Legislative Days and what is in store for this summer. You can listen to the interview here.
 Newly appointed Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife Director Debbie Colbert met with Representative Boomer Wright and me in Charleston recently. Our meeting with Director Colbert was truly her official first day on the job as she was newly appointed to replace 21 year ODF&W Director Curt Melcher. It clearly shows how important she feels Coos, Curry and Douglas Counties are to her and our future successes. It was a privilege to have a private meeting with her that lasted more than two hours talking about various Fish and Game issues that impact our Southcoast - most importantly was our discussion on Salmon and Trout recoveries.
Accompanying the ODF&W Director was Lead Biologist Shaun Clements. Senator Brock Smith and I have worked many years, primarily on the Rogue - Cole Rivers Fish Hatchery, U.S. Army Corp of Engineers, with the three Rogue Basin Counties on our crucial Fish Enhancement and Hatchery programs. We each serve on the Oregon House and Senate Natural Resource Committees.
I recently attended the Beacon Broadband question and answer session for Wedderburn, Ophir and Nesika Beach. It was held at the beautiful Cedar Bend Golf Course in Cedar Valley. I provided opening remarks highlighting the tremendous benefits Beacon Broadband will be to our Education, Economic and Medical Systems.
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 What a fabulous success. People lined the banks of the Rogue, Illinois, Coquille, and Klamath Rivers for the eight-day event. Fans watched River Racing Teams from New Zealand, Canada, Mexico, and the United States. This is a very exciting spectator sport with four different classes. The unlimited boats, mostly turbine engines, reach top speeds of nearly 150 miles per hour!
The event drew 20 teams ascending to Southern Oregon and Northern California. Local favorites and Course Record Holders Tim Harding and Ryan Ringer didn't have their best races, but provided plenty of thrills and are greatly admired by local fans. Quinn and Kyle Johnston of Agness were in the FX class and for their first year simply did an outstanding job and were very competitive. It was the first year for the Coos River and the Fans from Bandon and Coquille supported and enjoyed day three.
The photo is of Justin Boice, Court's oldest son, in Hellgate Canyon on the Rogue near Grants Pass. With him were the race crew - Gold Beach's George Edwards and Ron Crook. Justin held the Gold Beach to Foster Bar Record until it was shattered later by Tim Harding and Canadian Spencer King in 2005. There was very little time separating them and both were traveling at speeds in excess of 135 mph. To this day, that was dubbed the greatest Oregon Jet Boat Race of all time.
One of the race organizers Joe Ross was relieved that this year's event only lost one boat, a Mexican Team, but it was salvaged finally Sunday the 19th and was actually in fair condition all considered! Many of these teams will return in two years for the 2026 World Championships.
If you are interested in more information - www.facebook.com/worldjetboatrace
2023 Dallas TV Interview, Pastor Mike Kingsley interviews guests about current issues we are facing nationally and globally. After the show, Britt Boice met with Tami Brown Rodriguez who assisted Team Boice in drafting HB 4142.
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Combat Veteran - State Representative James Hieb, Oregon Department of Veterans Affairs (ODVA) Director Nakeia Daniels, and State Rep. Court Boice - groundbreaking ceremony for our Oregon State Capitol Vietnam Memorial.
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Meeting with Doug Grafe - Governor Kotek's Wildfire and Military Advisor at the House and Senate Veterans Caucus during Legislative Week.
Our important Vets Caucus is focused on finding maximum funding in particular for Veterans Housing, Services, Mental and Behavioral Health. Better days ahead! Oregon Department of Veterans Affairs new Director, Dr. Nakia Daniels was also in attendance. Director Daniels has been exceptional to work with and was a pillar for helping Senator Brock Smith and our Southcoast Delegation over the finish line to get the $35 million State Funds needed for our Douglas County Vets Home in Roseburg.
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 I had the great honor of speaking at both the Brookings Harbor and the Gold Beach Memorial Day Observances. We were joined by Daughters of the American Revolution and a flyover from F-15 Eagle fighter jets from Kingsley Field. Pastor Mike Queseda and Spinner’s Restaurant of Gold Beach Owner Dillion at Fallen Soldier statue.
Representative Boice and Veteran Don Bemis reading the names of our fallen soldiers, POW/MIA.
I had the great honor to help read the names of over 600 Vietnam Veterans from Oregon killed in Vietnam and 38 POW/MIA still missing. This is done every year at City Hall on the Friday before Memorial Day at 6pm.
There is a rifle squad of men that fire off 3 rounds each, to represent a 21 gun salute, taps are then played to honor the Vietnam veterans that have not returned home.
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House District 1, Representative Boice Receives Dedication to Veterans Award. Presented by Debra Salzman.
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Capitol Phone: 503-986-1401
Capitol Address: 900 Court St. NE, H-476, Salem, Oregon 97301
Email: Rep.CourtBoice@oregonlegislature.gov
Website: https://www.oregonlegislature.gov/boice
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