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To contact me, please click here: Rep.MarkOwens@oregonlegislature.gov
On Monday, January 13, the Oregon Senate and Oregon House of Representatives convened to swear in legislators for the 83rd Oregon Legislative Assembly. This is considered a long session year, meaning the session can run for up to a total of 160 consecutive days, with constitutional sine die on Sunday, June 29.
I plan to continue weekly video updates again this session. My video below speaks to two of my priority bills and highlights upcoming legislative activities.
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Watch my weekly update video
This session I have four main committees
You can view my list of Chief Sponsored and CoSponsored bills here.
2025 Priority Bills
Strengthening the Initiative Petition Process (HJR 11)
To ensure that our state's initiative petition process reflects the diverse perspectives of all Oregonians, I am proposing legislation that requires signature gathering efforts to be more inclusive. Specifically, this bill mandates that signatures be collected from every congressional district, not just metropolitan areas, ensuring statewide representation. Additionally, it seeks to raise the threshold for the number of signatures required, promoting a more rigorous and comprehensive approach to citizen-led initiatives. This reform aims to strengthen our democratic process by ensuring that initiatives have broad-based support before appearing on the ballot.
Supporting Rural Fire Protection Agencies (RFPAs) (HB 3349)
Our rural firefighters and first responders are the backbone of our community's safety. I am championing legislation to provide RFPAs with essential resources such as tires, fuel, and radios. Equipping our volunteers with these necessities will enhance their ability to coordinate effectively with interagency teams during wildfires. This initiative underscores our commitment to the safety and preparedness of our rural areas.
Legislative Activities
In the coming week, several bills are scheduled for work sessions:
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Meat Inspection Program (HB 2164): This bill proposes additional funding for the State Department of Agriculture to support a state inspection program for processing and selling meat products. This funding is crucial for ensuring food safety and supporting our local meat processors.
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Agricultural Competitiveness Report (HB 2166): This legislation calls for a comprehensive report to assess whether our agricultural sector is at a competitive disadvantage and, if so, to identify the underlying causes. Understanding these factors is vital for developing strategies to bolster our state's agricultural economy.
This past week, one of my chief sponsored bills had a public hearing.
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Electronic Filing for Death Certificates (HB 3127): This bill addresses the need for expedited processes in funeral home operations. For those who have experienced the loss of a loved one, timely and efficient services are essential. This legislation aims to streamline procedures to better serve grieving families.
One bill of particular interest to House District 60 will be HB 3448, a bill to request a task force and impact study on the border relocation conversation that has been ongoing in parts of Oregon for a years.
I still haven’t given up on Oregon, and my top priority is making it a place where all communities can thrive. However, it’s clear the majority of voters in House District 60 want the conversation about moving to Idaho to continue. This is why I am sponsoring this bill—to ensure our communities have the information they need to understand what this movement would entail, including its potential benefits and challenges.
Please reach out to my office if you have constituent concerns, questions on how to find or follow specific bills, committees or sign up to testify. You can participate through the Oregon Legislative Information System (OLIS) online or by visiting the state Capitol to make your voice heard on potential legislation.
I look forward to keeping in touch during the long session and providing weekly updates.
Be safe,
 Volunteers from the Oregon Department of Revenue will be at the locations below to assist taxpayers in using the free combination of IRS Direct File and Direct File Oregon to complete their tax year 2024 returns.
Learn more at https://www.oregon.gov/dor/programs/individuals/Pages/free-direct-file.aspx
February 4
Crook County Library
175 NW Meadow Lakes Drive, Prineville, OR 97754
8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
February 5
Blue Mountain Community College Library
411 NW Carden Ave, Pioneer Hall-147, Pendleton, OR 97801
8 a.m. to 7 p.m.
February 6
The Dalles Wasco County Library
722 Court Street, The Dalles, OR 97058
10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
April 2
Harney County Library
80 West D Street, Burns, OR 97720
10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Taxpayers will need to bring the following information with them.
Identification documents
- Social security card or ITIN for everyone on your tax return
- Government picture ID for taxpayer and spouse if filing jointly (such as driver’s license or passport)
Common income and tax documents
- Forms W2 (wages from a job)
- Forms 1099 (other kinds of income)
- Form SSA-1099 (Social Security Benefits)
Optional documents to download
- Canceled check or bank routing and account numbers for direct deposit
- Last year’s tax return
Oregon Radon Awareness Program provides a FREE short-term radon test kit to those living in areas of Oregon where little radon testing has been done. The purpose of the program is to identify potential radon risk in Oregon's ZIP codes. This information helps the Oregon Radon Awareness Program and partner organizations to understand radon risk levels in Oregon.
TC Energy is offering 850+ scholarships, valued at up to $5,000 each, to students living in communities that host their projects across Canada, the U.S., and Mexico. This program is designed to support the next generation of community leaders by investing in their education and training to build a strong and skilled workforce for the future.
To be eligible for a TC Energy scholarship, you must meet the following requirements:
• Be enrolled in a post-secondary institution for the upcoming academic year
• Be a citizen or permanent resident of Canada, the U.S. or Mexico
• Be located in a community near TC Energy’s operations or projects
• Would benefit from supplementary education funding
For more information about the categories of scholarships available or to apply for a scholarship, visit TCEnergy.com/Scholarships. Applications are open now until May 2, 2025.
Quick tips for applying
• As scholarships are available in Canada, the U.S. and Mexico, ensure you are on the correct country page when applying.
• You cannot edit your application once it has been submitted, so take your time.
• If selected, you will need to provide proof of mailing address for the cheque to be delivered to and proof of enrolment in a registered educational institute to receive your scholarship.
• Make sure to provide a working phone number and email address in your application so that you can be contacted if you are selected for a scholarship.
- Core Pesticide Training
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Date: Friday, February 21, 2025
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Location: 710 SW 5th Avenue Ontario, Oregon 97914
Pest Management Short Course
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Dates: Tuesday, February 25, and Wednesday, February 26, 2025
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Location: Four Rivers Cultural Center, Ontario, Oregon
- Lunch included
Both events are excellent opportunities to enhance your knowledge, stay informed on best practices, and earn recertification credits required for your pesticide applicator license. These trainings are ideal for producers, applicators, farm managers, researchers, and company representatives.
Start your search at Unclaimed.Oregon.gov
(Salem, OR) National Unclaimed Property Day returns February 1 and to celebrate Oregon State Treasurer Elizabeth Steiner is encouraging individuals across Oregon to search for their lost assets. The nationwide effort aims to bring awareness to the nearly 33 million people in the United States – 1 in every 7 – that have unclaimed property. In addition to calling for individuals to search for their unclaimed property, Treasurer Steiner announced the Treasury is launching its 2025 ‘Checks Without Claim’ initiative in February, the agency’s annual effort to proactively return millions of dollars in unclaimed property to current and former Oregonians.
Common examples of unclaimed property include uncashed checks, forgotten bank accounts, tax refunds, payroll checks, and more. Treasury’s free online database at Unclaimed.Oregon.gov provides Oregonians a quick and easy method for searching for and claiming their funds.
Middle school students (6th, 7th and 8th grade) from across the state are invited to take part in the first-round civics essay competition. Each participating student must submit an essay that identifies a community problem and proposes a solution using founding principles and civic virtues. A panel of judges will select finalists to participate in local civics bees to be held in a few locations around the state. The top performers in the local bees will win cash prizes and be invited to participate in the State Finals, which will be held in Salem in the late spring of 2025, for the chance to win additional cash prizes. The first-place winner of the State Finals will be invited to participate in the National Civics Bee in Washington, D.C. in fall 2025 with a chance to compete for prizes worth up to $100,000.
Student essays will be accepted through February 4, 2025. For more information and for students to submit essays click here.
Stay In Touch
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
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