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To contact me, please click here: Rep.KevinMannix@oregonlegislature.gov
Dear Friend,
Merry Christmas!
December is fully here, and I am happy to see House District 21 burst into the Christmas spirit. The snowflakes are up off River Road, Riverfront Park has lit the tree, and the Nutcracker is on at the Elsinore. Christmas also means we are approaching the end of 2024 and the completion of my first term as your State Representative.
As I reflect on the work that has been accomplished over the last two years, I am reminded of the victories we have had and the impact my community and constituents had in making those happen.
While there is still work to be done (continue reading to see what’s in store for this next session), I think it is important we take time to reflect on what has been accomplished.
House District 21 received funding for over 17 different resources from 2023-2024, totaling over $30 million of state spending invested in House District 21. Here are a few highlights:
- Vietnam War Memorial on the Oregon State Capitol grounds: $1,400,000
- Center for Hope and Safety; development of the “Hope Plaza” as a safe, affordable housing option for victims of domestic violence: $750,000
- Bridgeway Medical Center; development of a medical center and substance use disorder residential treatment facilities: $11,500,000
- Chemeketa Community College, Building 7 Renovation: $8,110,000
- Family YMCA of Marion and Polk County; funding to develop a centralized social service and resource center and affordable housing in Salem at the YMCA of Marion and Polk Counties: $3,000,000
And many more!
 Left: The Vietnam War Memorial after the dedication ceremony in October. Middle: Rep Mannix attending the ribbon cutting for the Center for Hope and Safety. Right: Rep Mannix at the groundbreaking ceremony for Bridgeway Medical Center's new building.
 While I chief sponsored numerous legislative concepts over the last two years and saw many successes, below are a few highlights.
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HB 4002 (2024) Re-criminalization of hard drugs: The 2024 short session began with one job in mind: to begin addressing the addiction and mental health crisis facing our state and the mess of Measure 110. I had the honor of serving on the Joint Committee on Addiction and Community Safety which championed legislation which not only re-criminalized the use of hard drugs in Oregon but provided an alternative pathway for those dealing with addiction to seek treatment. While this bill does not fix all the problems we see in our state regarding addiction and drug use, I believe it is the right first step toward finding solutions and I was honored to be one of the leading members in making that happen.
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HB 4156 (2024) Updated Anti-Stalking Law: As the author of the first anti-stalking law in Oregon back in 1995, I was eager to step in when asked to modernize Oregon's anti-stalking law to cover new kinds of electronic and internet harassment, including efforts to damage a victim's identity and credit rating.
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HB 4160 (2024) Protecting Children from Sexual Predators: Following up on a request by the superintendent of the Salem-Keizer school district, I pushed through legislation which strengthens the restrictions on sexual grooming by school personnel in regard to their relationships with their students.
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SB 498 (2023) Estate Tax Reform: I was pleased to lead the effort on estate tax reform and provide a $15 million exemption from the Oregon Estate Tax (Death Tax) for family-owned farms, ranches, woodlands and fishery businesses which are passed on to family members. This is the most comprehensive reform of Oregon’s Death Tax in 22 years.
With the final round of 2024 Legislative Days behind me and the pre-session filing deadline having passed, I am pleased to share some of the top bills and legislative concepts I have introduced for the upcoming session.
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HB 2293 Pretrial Hold (Catch and Release Clean Up): This legislation is intended to eliminate the “catch and release” system created in 2021 where criminal defendants are released from custody without bail, even though they are charged with a serious offense. With HB 2293, our state would return to the tried-and-true system in which every person charged with a felony, or a Class A misdemeanor, will be held in custody until arraigned before a circuit court judge. The judge would review the person's criminal record and charges, and then consider the safety of the community, the victim, and the likelihood of the defendant's appearance at trial. Then the judge can decide whether to hold the person in custody until trial or release them.
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HB 2301 Estate Tax Relief (7/7): Continuing my work on reforming Oregon's estate tax, HB 2301 raises the general exemption for the "Death Tax" from $1 million to $7 million and sets a flat tax rate of 7% instead of the 10-15% rate. This would provide middle class families a tax break, keep Oregon competitive with other states' estate tax laws, and allow hardworking Oregonians the opportunity to pass along their savings to their children to help build generational wealth.
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HB 2312 Task Force on Corrections: As a long-time advocate for public safety, I recently had the opportunity to visit Coffee Creek Correctional Facility and meet with the Association of Oregon Corrections Employees (AOCE). During my visit to Coffee Creek, I witnessed firsthand the challenges faced by both staff and inmates. Staff morale is at an all-time low, with widespread turnover threatening the facility’s stability. The facility is grappling with frequent lockdowns – occurring up to three times a week – which severely restricts inmate movement and access to essential programs. This approach contradicts the very mission of the Oregon Department of Corrections, which aims to rehabilitate rather than merely warehouse inmates. This legislation calls for a study to evaluate our Department of Corrections and consider staff support and retention, training and career advancement, and overtime management.
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HB 2300 Right to Speak Your Truth Act: The goal of this bill is to protect sexual assault victims to ensure their voices are not silenced. The #MeToo movement encouraged victims to come forward, but without legal safeguards they remain vulnerable to weaponized defamation lawsuits. These defamation lawsuits are aimed at victims who do not have the resources to engage in a lengthy legal battle, to deter them from bringing a credible complaint.
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HB 2304 Fairground Revitalization Act: In the past few years, our county and state fairgrounds stepped up when our communities needed them the most. Through events like the wildfires of 2021 our fairgrounds were transformed overnight into regional emergency and evacuee centers. However, in moments like these our state and county fairgrounds infrastructure has not been able to meet the health and safety needs of our communities. HB 2304 allows the state to fully fund 1% of lottery funds to fairs with 90% of the funds going to county fairgrounds and 10% of funds going to the state fairgrounds. The bill also supports an additional $20 million for the state fairgrounds in infrastructure improvements and funds a study to ensure fairgrounds can continue as resilience/disaster response centers and economic, social, cultural, and educational hubs in our communities.
These concepts will continue to grow as we come across more issues throughout the state. If you would like to receive bi-weekly legislative updates once session begins, you can subscribe to this newsletter at the bottom of this email!
Even in the midst of the legislative interim, the fall and winter were busy months filled with many community events.
On Veterans Day I joined the Veteran Day Ceremony at the Capitol. The North Salem High School JROTC Honor Guard (pictured above) did an excellent job presenting the colors.
Back in October I attended the Catholic Community Services Luncheon. I am pictured above with Lynda and Lee Harrington. Lynda made an excellent presentation in regard to the services provided to a wide range of people in need, regardless of their religious affiliation.
I joined Sheriff Nick Hunter and District Attorney Paige Clarkson (left), with other leaders and supporters at the Soaring Heights Recovery Home fundraising banquet at the Keizer Civic Center. Soaring Heights' program to help those recovering from addiction and transition back to society is quite impressive.
On October 30th I was happy to attend the fundraising dinner for Valor Mentoring. Valor Mentoring is dedicated to supporting at-risk youth in our community through mentoring, afterschool programs, and essential resources - all provided at no cost to the participants. I am pictured above with Tim Davis the CEO of Valor Mentoring who works tirelessly for this mission.
The City of Keizer now has a new set of turf fields open to the community for reservation, free of charge! I joined them in the ribbon cutting at Keizer Rapids Park on October 2nd. Joining me on the new fields below is Marion County Commissioner Colm Willis, and Keizer City Councilors Dan Kohler, Soraida Cross, and Shaney Starr.
I hope you all find time for reflection and thanksgiving as we enter the Christmas season and begin a new year. It is always an honor to represent you in the Oregon Legislature, and I cannot express how grateful I am to receive this opportunity again.
If there are things my office can assist you with in the months to come, please do not hesitate to reach out via the information below.
Sincerely,
Kevin L. Mannix
State Representative
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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