Replies to this message are sent to an unmonitored mailbox. To contact me, please click here: Rep.MarkOwens@oregonlegislature.gov
Dear Friends and Neighbors,
As we approach the end of the year, I want to take a moment to reflect on the important work we’ve been doing and share some updates from the past week. Last week, I was in Salem for Legislative Days and a brief Special Session on Thursday afternoon. These sessions provided an opportunity to connect with colleagues, address pressing issues, and prepare for the upcoming legislative session that begins on January 22, 2025.
With the Friday deadline for "pre-session filing" behind us, I am excited about the legislative concepts we’ve been developing in partnership with community members, stakeholders, and other leaders. These concepts represent our shared vision for addressing the challenges facing Oregon, and I look forward to keeping you updated as they progress into bills and beyond.
As we head into the holiday season, I also want to take a moment to wish you and your loved ones a very Merry Christmas. This time of year reminds us of the importance of community, gratitude, and hope for the future. May your holiday season be filled with joy, peace, and cherished time with those you hold dear.
Representative Mark Owens House District 60
This year, Oregon experienced one of the most catastrophic wildfire seasons in its history. Over 1.9 million acres burned, including six megafires, compared to a typical fire season of 400,000 to 650,000 acres. This devastation was felt across our state, and we must address the systemic issues that allowed it to happen.
First, I want to express my gratitude to the brave men and women across Oregon who put their lives on the line to fight these fires. Their courage and dedication saved countless lives and protected our communities, even as we tragically lost lives in the process.
But beyond the immediate firefighting efforts, this wildfire season revealed critical gaps in how we manage and fund wildfire response. Contractors who worked tirelessly to fight these fires went months without payment, with some small contractors forced to take out loans and pay interest just to cover payroll for their crews. One contractor told me they are still owed $435,000—an unacceptable situation that highlights the failures in our emergency management funding system.
My floor speech during special session.
A Bipartisan Path Forward and a Call for Action
We must commit to long-term reforms in forest and rangeland management. Without proper management, suppression will continue to be our only strategy, and we cannot afford more years of simply reacting to catastrophic wildfire seasons.
We cannot allow devastating wildfire seasons to become the “new norm” in Oregon. To break this cycle, we must prioritize forest management, invest in sustainable solutions, and demand accountability in how our public lands are managed.
It’s time to act—not just to recover from this wildfire season, but to build a stronger, more resilient Oregon for the future. Together, we can ensure our state is better prepared to face these challenges head-on.
(Listen to my floor speech here)
With November behind us, it also means some changes for House District 60. In Oregon, each Senate District contains two House Districts. As an example Senate District 30, currently is under Senator Lynn Findley, and it contains House District 59 with Representative Breese Iverson, and myself in House District 60. This makes Senator Findley my senator and yours if you are in my district.
Senator Findley will be retiring from the Senate and he will be missed. It has been a pleasure working with him, collaborating on important issues for Eastern Oregon and gaining his insights on the things that matter most.
Last week many in Salem got to say goodbye, including his amazing Chief of Staff, Seira, who usually spends her time in the district office, came out to surprise him. We wish him the best in his retirement and hope he doesn't get too bored.
I hope you can join me this Friday, December 20 in Prairie City for another town hall stop. Please note this is weather dependent, and could be cancelled at the last moment if it is unsafe for travel.
When: Friday, December 20 at 3:00 PM Where: Public Works Building, 245 NW Front St, Prairie City
Please invite your family, friends, and neighbors to share your thoughts and concerns as we discuss 2025 legislation and answer any questions you may have.
Your voice matters, and this is a great opportunity to connect and work together for our rural Eastern Oregon communities.
While in the Willamette Valley last week I attended the Oregon Business Plan Summit with many of my colleagues and Oregon business leaders and community members. I had the opportunity to speak at two breakout sessions on important topics for rural and frontier Oregon.
One topic of discussion was Building Capacity for Rural Economic Development. My co-host was Director Margi Hoffmann, the USDA Rural Development Director for Oregon. I plan to introduce a legislative concept in 2025 to create a Rural Community Resource Center to help our rural communities tap into federal, state and philanthropic resources which are widely available, but often underused. Our communities often lack the capacity and staff to identify and seek out funds and grants available for much needed projects, infrastructure and help.
Oregon has great resources in our Economic Development Districts and Rural Development Initiatives. This concept would go a step further, and also provide additional support to what is already in place. There may be multiple concepts introduced on this topic and I hope to work with and define the best ideas to help get this important legislation across the finish line.
Another topic of discussion was Managing Water for the Environment, the Economy and Communities. My co-hosts were Representative Ken Helm who serves as co-chair with me on the House Committee on Agriculture, Land Use, Natural Resources and Water, and Geoff Huntington, Senior Natural Resources Advisor to Governor Kotek. We discussed how we can better manage our water assets, and shared more on the 2025 Water Policies and Investments Legislation Concepts.
This fun and educational contest can be incorporated into your school year’s curriculum by reaching out to your local schools, youth organizations, and home-school organizations. Please consider giving your students the chance to learn more about public service and local government, and a chance to voice their ideas. They come up with some GREAT ideas that mayors have taken back to their cities.
Here is how it works:
- Your city conducts a local contest (can be announced at city council meetings, promoted through newspapers, newsletters, etc.);
- One winner from each category of local contests can submit their entries to the state contest for a chance to win a cash prize and recognition; and
- First-place winners of the state contest are invited to the OMA Summer Conference luncheon for recognition and presentation of the prizes.
All the information you need to promote your contest can be found on the OMA website. This includes entry forms, flyers, as well as information about the services cities provide and what a mayor does. Another great tool to help educate students about local government is the Civic Education Toolkit produced by the Oregon City/County Management Association.
Contact: Angela Speier, Project and Affiliates Manager – aspeier@orcities.org
The Oregon Community Food Systems Network (OCFSN) is excited to announce that round two of the Farmer & Rancher Disaster Resilience Grant Program is now accepting applications. Please spread the word to your networks. We appreciate your support of this program and your dedication to Oregon's small farms and ranches.
Grant applications opened on November 15 and will close January 17. Info session recordings, outreach documents, application details and form, and all other program details can be found on our websites:
New this year, we have contracted Spanish language support for Spanish speaking applicants. Please send Spanish speaking applicant questions to rodrigo@ocfsn.org.
Please send all English language applicant questions to grants@ocfsn.org.
Grant Team Office Hours (details on the website):
- English Office Hours: 8am-9am weekly on Tuesdays Nov 17 - Jan 14 (except Dec 24 and 31)
- Spanish Office Hours: 2pm-3pm weekly on Fridays Nov 22 - Jan 17 (except Nov 29, Dec 20, 27)
- You can send applicants with questions or who need support to these office hours to get help from our team or have them email us.
SALEM, Ore. — The Oregon Department of Forestry is seeking to fill a vacant advisory committee position for its Certified Burn Manager (CBM) Program. The intent of the CBM program is to provide oversight of training opportunities and certification for the safe and effective use of prescribed burning.
The Department is accepting applications to serve on the CBM Advisory Committee through Jan. 31, 2025. The committee advises ODF on program implementation and helps provide oversight. Committee position applications are available on ODF’s website.
“ODF is seeking individuals with experience or expertise with prescribed fire planning, implementation, and regulation to serve on the committee,” said Levi Hopkins, Oregon Department of Forestry’s Fire Protection Division Deputy Chief of Policy and Planning.
The committee meets annually, but more frequently if needed. The main duties for committee members are to advise the State Forester on the administration of the program and conduct reviews of proposed certification revocations when necessary. The committee positions are unpaid, but members may be reimbursed for travel expenses. Members serve up to three-year terms and can serve two consecutive terms. Appointments will be made by the State Forester in February, with the next CBM Advisory Committee meeting in late February 2025.
“This is a great opportunity to join a diverse group that represents the full suite of interests in prescribed fire and its impacts to communities across Oregon,” said Hopkins. “This important program promotes consistent standards and fair and equitable administration of the CBM program.”
ODF launched the program in late spring of 2023. Although the certification is voluntary, Hopkins says many forestland owners and fire professionals have already sought certification.
“The certification process is thorough but straightforward,” said Hopkins. “You need to complete the classroom training curriculum, pass a test, and demonstrate field proficiency.”
There are also streamlined requirements to become certified in Oregon for those that currently hold:
- a NWCG Burn Boss certification;
- a comparable CBM certification in another state;
- or have other professional experience as burners. This is an applicable pathway until Jan. 1, 2026.
The cost of certification is $50; however, third-party training providers may charge fees for the trainings they offer. The certification is valid for five years and there are no costs for recertification.
“The CBM is a win-win program,” said Hopkins. “It’s a win for the person getting the certification because now in addition to robust classroom training and supervised field experience, they also get certain civil liability protections if a prescribed fire results in unintended impacts. Then, it is a win for Oregonians to have certified professionals using prescribed fire as a tool in a consistent and safe manner to reduce the risks of wildfire throughout the state.”
Recognizing the importance of prescribed fire, the 2021 Legislature directed ODF to create a Certified Burn Manager Program. The program was one of several to address Oregon’s wildfire crisis. The Board of Forestry approved the administrative rules establishing the program in 2022.
Prescribed fire, also known as controlled burning, is the planned and controlled use of fire by a team of experts under specific conditions such as favorable temperature, wind, and humidity. Prescribed fire is used to help reduce the risk of wildfire, restore ecosystems that depend on fire, increase wildlife habitat, and increase community and firefighter safety.
Visit the ODF prescribed fire website to find out more about becoming a Certified Burn Manager.
Oregon Health Authority (OHA) is accepting applications to serve on the Oversight and Accountability Council (OAC), which was established by Measure 110 in 2020. The OAC oversees and provides funding for Behavioral Health Resource Networks (BHRNs). There are 42 BHRNs across Oregon which provide services for individuals experiencing substance use disorder.
The Council is looking for new members in several categories including:
- People with lived experience of substance use disorder.
- Licensed clinical social workers.
- Harm reduction services providers.
- Mental or behavioral health providers.
- People who work for non-profit organizations (including housing services) that advocate for people with substance use disorder experience or mental health conditions.
Members of the OAC serve four-year terms and may be eligible for a stipend to compensate them for their time engaged in official OAC duties.
The deadline to apply is 11:59 p.m., Wednesday, Dec. 18.
To apply, fill out and submit this online form. Selected applicants will be informed by Jan. 31, 2025.
For questions or more information, email OHA.Measure110@oha.oregon.gov, or contact Karli Cunningham at Karli.Cunningham2@oha.oregon.gov or 971-240-8690.
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
|