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To contact me, please click here: Rep.KevinMannix@oregonlegislature.gov
Hello Friends,
I hope your New Year is off to a good start. My staff and I welcomed the new year by transitioning from our in-district office off Capitol Street to the Oregon State Capitol Building to prepare for our second legislative long session.
Two years seem to have flown by much too quickly, but I am looking forward to six months of collaboration, creativity and results.
I have spent last week reconnecting with familiar faces and becoming more familiar with those who are just entering the building for the first time. I am appreciative of the relationships created by being a returning member to the House, but it also excites me to work with those who are just beginning, as they bring new opinions and experiences to the table.
 Special Session:
Jumping back to December, the Governor called a Special Session due to budgeting shortfalls created by the unanticipated wildfire season last fall. The Special Session was held at the end of our final 2024 committee meetings for Legislative Days and took place in a committee hearing room due to construction on the House Floor.
 Click here to listen to my remarks on the House Floor.
I am glad to know our state has fulfilled its financial commitment to those who bravely fought throughout the worse wildfire season in Oregon history. However, it is important we keep in mind with the start of the 2025 session how we might take a visionary approach into wildfire prevention, intervention, and recovery.
This last year of wildfires was the worst environmental hit suffered by our state since the explosion of Mount St. Helens. This was an environmental, health, and economic situation which will require bold action on our part. The special session marked two crucial steps forward for Oregon: justice for our firefighters and a wake-up call for forest management reform. I look forward to the opportunity in the 2025 session to address these broader issues.
 Legislative Committees and Floor Session began meeting at the start of last week. I was placed on a number of new committees this session which allow me more leverage regarding the issues where I can make a difference. Take a look at them in greater detail below.
Committee Breakdown:
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House Judiciary: I am very pleased to have a seat on the House Judiciary committee again. I chaired this committee back in 1999 before I left the House for a number of years. Judiciary is responsible for overseeing bills relating to the judicial system, civil and criminal law, and legal procedures. This includes my bill drafts regarding ending catch and release, the task force on funding our corrections facilities, and the Right to Speak Your Truth Act which I highlighted in my last newsletter.
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House Housing and Homelessness: One of the top issues we are facing in our state right now is the housing supply and costs and our homelessness crisis. This issue will be a focus of session, and this committee will handle the Governor's housing package.
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Joint Transportation: I have been a longtime advocate regarding transportation issues across the state, both as a legislator, and in the private sector. I had the opportunity to serve on the Joint Transportation Committee in my last legislative term and I look forward to continuing my work there. Transportation has also become a key focus of this session as there will be a major transportation bill. This committee will handle that bill.
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Joint Addiction and Community Safety Response: This committee was created to address issues relating to M110 reform. With the passage of HB 4002 (2024) this committee will continue to look into additional ways we can address our addictions crisis. I am pleased that I serve on both this committee and Housing and Homelessness because many of the issues we face regarding homelessness are connected to mental health and addiction issues. Having these two committees work hand in hand, I am excited to see what we can accomplish.
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I-5 Bridge: This committee combines members from the Washington Legislature, as well as the Oregon House and Senate. It meets intermittently throughout session to support the replacement of the Interstate 5 bridge over the Columbia River.
Click on the title of each committee to sign up to receive committee updates regarding when we are meeting, bills that have been assigned, public hearing/speaking opportunities etc.
Bills:
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SB 452: On Thursday I was invited to speak in a public hearing for SB 452, of which I am a Chief Sponsor, on the Senate Committee on Human Services. This bill would provide Marion Polk Food Share with $6 million to complete their funding needs for a new expanded facility. This funding would join over $18 million in matching funds from other resources. Marion Polk Food Share provides food assistance to over 58,000 people across Marion and Polk County through their food pantry, Meals on Wheels service which delivers food to seniors and people with disabilities, and other resources provided to the community like community gardens. Click here to view my testimony.
 As your State Representative my office receives many emails from state agencies and outside groups providing information and opportunities which may be helpful to my constituents. Please see below for a few non-legislative updates. If you have questions regarding the information provided below, feel free to still email my office and I will get you connected with the group who provided the information to us.
Local:
- If you have Portland General Electric you may have seen your power bill go up slightly on January 1, 2025. This is due to the Oregon Public Utility Commission (OPUC) issuing a decision in the 2025 rate review raising the PGE rates ranging from 5.5% to 7.7% based upon customer type. If this rate change is a struggle for you or those you know, click on the provided link to view the PGE Income-Qualified Bill Discount program (IQBD)
Statewide:
- The wildfires of California have been a devastating event for the whole country to watch. If you would like to stay updated on California wildfire incidents and responses, please click here. You can also click here to view a Fire Service Update provided to our office by email to hear about how Oregon has joined in combatting these fires.
Civic Engagement:
- The U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation is hosting their annual National Civics Bee Scholarship Competition for 6th, 7th, and 8th graders. If you know someone who may be interested in participating, go to nationalcivicsbee.org for more information.
On January 13 I joined the other 60 members of the Oregon State House and was sworn into office, beginning my second term as State Representative for House District 21. I am excited about the opportunity to serve this wonderful state again and take part in improving the lives of Oregonians.
I had the opportunity to speak at the Keizer Chamber Government Affairs meeting along with County Commissioner Danielle Bethell on January 16. They asked many good questions, and I was able to provide an update on legislation I have introduced for the upcoming session.
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I was pleased to visit with Jeanne Carver, President of Shanika Wool Company, on January 17 at the SAIF Agri-Business Banquet at the Salem Convention Center. Jeanne was the Keynote Speaker and gave us the history of her company’s success story, including conservation of the environment while now producing the wool used in U.S. Olympic uniforms and a wide range of fashionable clothing as well as basic wool apparel. She and her late husband are an Oregon agriculture success story.
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CASA Marion County hosted their Open House Celebration for the new CASA headquarters in Salem off 17th Street on Wednesday. Here I am pictured with Vanessa Nordyke, Executive Director of CASA, at the Open House.
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Chemeketa Community College recently hosted a Legislator Appreciation Breakfast. It was a great opportunity to learn about how I can best support Chemeketa in my role as a State Representative. |
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On January 18 I joined business owners and community leaders throughout the City of Keizer for the Keizer First Citizen Banquet. Congratulations to the following award recipients!
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Marlene Parsons, Keizer First Citizen
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Dan Borresen, Service to Education
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SMI Real Estate, Merchant of the Year
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John Illingsworth, President's Award
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Lincoln Isom, Keizer Future First Citizen
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Valor Mentoring, Non-Profit of the Year
Joining me in the photo is my Legislative Assistant, Hayley Guptill, and her newly engaged fiancé Travis.
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Stay tuned for my next newsletter coming out the first week of February, where I will provide an update on some of the legislation announced in December.
It is always an honor to represent you in the Oregon Legislature. 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.
Yours truly,
 Representative Kevin L. Mannix
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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