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Here are some highlights from the past week and helpful community information for you!
- Shelly
  HCR 1 – Honoring Linn County Fallen Soldier - Shawnacee Noble
This week, I introduced House Concurrent Resolution 1 (HCR 1), to honor the life and service of Shawnacee Loren Noble, a proud son of Linn County and a patriot who made the ultimate sacrifice for our nation at the young age of 18. Unanimously, HCR 1 passed on the House Floor on February 20.
Shawnacee grew up in Sweet Home and graduated from West Albany High School in 1990. Even before his graduation, Shawnacee’s sense of duty was clear. After his junior year, he enlisted in the Oregon National Guard, training at Fort Leonard Wood in Missouri. He was ready to serve.
When the crisis in the Persian Gulf unfolded in 1990, Shawnacee voluntarily joined the United States Army to take part in Operation Desert Storm. In January 1991, he deployed to Saudi Arabia, where he demonstrated exceptional leadership and courage, participating in numerous combat missions.
Tragically, while serving in the Gulf, he contracted a viral infection and passed away in April 1991. He now rests with full military honors in Sweet Home, Oregon, a hero forever etched in our state’s history.
Shawnacee’s legacy lives on, not just through his bravery on the battlefield but through the memories of his family. His sister, Ramona Day, shared with us that although Shawnacee only met three of his nieces and nephews, the stories of his courage, generosity, and spirit have been passed down through the generations. His family visits his gravesite regularly, where they honor his memory and sacrifice. His mother chose to lay him to rest in Sweet Home, keeping him close to home rather than at Arlington, where he was also offered a place of honor.
It was my privilege to bring this resolution forward in his honor. This resolution carries great significance for his family and their future generations, ensuring his legacy will be celebrated and remembered for years to come.
While we may not have known Shawnacee personally, his sacrifice resonates within our hearts.
Watch the coverage of the passage of HCR 1 from the Floor. Grab a tissue.
IT'S TIME TO REPEAL THE STATEWIDE WILDFIRE RISK MAPS
Oregonians are increasingly frustrated by the direction the state is moving in, and the statewide wildfire risk map is another example of Democrats using overburdening regulations to threaten their day-to-day lives. House and Senate Republicans held a press conference on Monday where we called for a repeal of the statewide wildfire hazard map.
Adopted under Senate Bill 762 in 2021, this map is riddled with inaccuracies and fails to reflect real-world conditions. No matter how diligently property owners manage their land, reduce vegetation, or create defensible space, their hazard designation remains unchanged. This is not just unfair; it’s a blatant disregard for common sense. I believe it’s time to repeal those maps.
Property owners are understandably scared, confused, and worried that this map is destroying their property values and all they have worked for. They fear fines if they can’t comply with the regulations tied to this map. They fear this map is being weaponized to prevent them from building or rebuilding in rural areas. These fears are real, and they should not be ignored or written off as “rumors” or “misinformation.”
Republicans held a press conference on this earlier this week, but it isn't just a Republican position. Democrat lawmakers Rep. Emerson Levy and Sen. Anthony Broadman, both from Central Oregon, have joined our call to repeal these maps. The author of the original bill, Sen. Jeff Golden, has also signaled that he is open to doing away with them as well.
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Property owners can appeal the application of the required elements, weather, topography, climate, and vegetation, to the hazard map, the wildland-urban interface designation, and whether ODF followed the required process. An appeal form must be sent to the Oregon Department of Forestry electronically or by mail. Mailed forms must be postmarked no later than March 10, 2025, and electronic submissions must be received by the same date. This week, Governor Kotek directed the Oregon Department of Forestry to continue to accept appeals through the March 10 deadline but to pause sending the appeals to the Office of Administrative Hearings until after the legislation session. This will allow the Legislature to discuss how to change or repeal these maps and keep Oregonians from incurring any unnecessary legal costs.
If your property is determined to be in a high-hazard zone, and in the wildland-urban interface, you will be mailed a packet that will contain information regarding what it means, other wildfire programs, and an appeal form. The form will also be available on ODF’s website. Here is more information about the appeal process and a link to the form:
TINA KOTEK'S APPROACH TO HOMELESSNESS IS STILL FAILING
A new story from The Oregonian this week highlights the failures of the Democrat's homelessness policy. When you take a "housing first" approach to homelessness, like Oregon Democrats do, your primary goal is to put a roof over the head of someone who is homeless. That's a fine goal, but we have to recognize it's a band-aid, not a solution. We do have a housing affordability issue in Oregon, but this approach doesn't actually lead to durable outcomes for those struggling with underlying mental health and addiction challenges that too often are the root cause of homelessness.
According to the new report from the Multnomah County Homelessness Response System, the number of people staying in homeless shelters in 2024 increased in Multnomah County, but the rate of people leaving shelters for housing decreased. Of those who left the shelter, only FIVE got into housing. We are housing people, but not ending homelessness. That's the problem with a "housing first" approach to homelessness.
One measure of success of a "housing first" approach might be the ability to build homes. Kotek isn't doing well on that front, either. Despite being one of the most powerful politicians in Oregon for over a decade, in an interview with KATU, she blamed "red tape" is to blame for her failure to meet her housing goals. She has voted for many anti-rental housing policies throughout her career like rent control that forces property owners to take rental units off the market and a general anti-business environment that disincentivizes the building of housing.
This session, there will be legislation surrounding both homelessness and housing, and we will work to keep you updated as this goes through the process and where you can have impact and input.
PART-TIME GOVERNMENT BUREACRATS:
GOV. KOTEK'S FAILED MANAGEMENT
This week, it came to light that Oregon Health Authority Director Sejal Hathi has taken a job at Stanford despite getting paid $265,488 a year from Oregon taxpayers. The news was leaked by Stanford’s LinkedIn page, congratulating Hathi on her new position. OHA is Oregon’s largest state agency with a nearly $36-billion budget -- that’s around a quarter of Oregon’s budget. Leading Oregon's largest state agency – and addressing the healthcare needs of Oregonians – requires immediate presence and full-time attention. But apparently, Governor Kotek gave her the blessing to take a part-time job at Stanford Hospital on top of her full-time job as an OHA Director. According to the report, Hathi is "trying to figure out how to avoid being paid."
House Republican Leader Christine Drazan released the following statement, which summarizes my views quite succinctly.
REPUBLICANS COMMIT TO REFORM
EDUCATION AND IMPROVE OUTCOMES
Oregon families are increasingly frustrated with the direction of our schools and dissatisfied with test scores, student learning, and education outcomes. Every Oregon child deserves a quality education that fits their and their families’ needs. Education should be centered around what the student needs to learn and be successful.
Even with record funding for our schools, our high school graduation rate remains one of the worst in the nation at 82%. According to the 2024 nation’s report card, nearly half of Oregon’s fourth graders scored “below basic” in reading. In math, about one-third of fourth graders tested “below basic.” Among eighth graders who tested, 35% scored “below basic” in reading, and 45% scored “below basic” in math.
There are inadequate education options for families and more funding hasn’t solved the problem. Our current system puts the interests of bureaucrats and their misguided priorities ahead of learning. We need to disrupt the status quo and reform our schools to better serve students and their families. This is highlighted in a recent story about how the Department of Education is failing to enforce it's own standards when it comes to teaching students how to read.
House Republicans will work to dramatically reform public education to give more options, and return more control to the families of students who are not getting the education they deserve. We have introduced several pieces of legislation to help our students get back on the right track:
Expanding School Choice to better serve the needs of each individual student through:
HB 2672, HB 2578 – Open Enrollment so students can go to a school that fits their needs
HB 3361, HB 3448 – Summer School Learning Options
HB 2575 – Expanding Options for Early Literacy Education
HB 2681 – More CTE Opportunities
HB 3215 – Expanding Access to Charter Schools
We have also introduced other bills to extend the school year and hold our schools accountable to Oregonians for student outcomes:
HB 2051 – Restoring graduation requirements so that a diploma in Oregon means something again.
HB 2393, HB 2368 – Curriculum transparency so families can be more involved in their kids’ education.
HB 3451 – Making the Superintendent of Public Instruction elected so that they are accountable to Oregonians for student outcomes.
Our children deserve a quality education, and parents deserve to be involved in this process. Join us in Salem this session as we fight to fix our schools, expand school choice, and ensure our kids get the education they deserve.
HB 3419 - THE CONTROVERSIAL WELL-METERING BILL
This week, I received a lot of concern about House Bill 3419. The original 1-page bill is what is called a "placeholder," but the concern and anger that was rightly pointed out is in the -2 and -3 amendments. The idea that the government can put meters on private wells with the intent to charge private well owners is obviously concerning. After talking to the bill sponsors, I have been told this is not the intent and that there would be future amendments and another public hearing.
Your voices and concerns were heard, and they made a real difference. Thank you to all who contacted me and raised the issue to my attention. I will keep you updated with developments as things progress. If you want to watch the testimony that was given by concerned Oregonians during the public hearing, you can go here.
Legal Opinion: OSHA Overstepped Its Authority
Earlier this week, Oregon state Representative Anna Scharf published a legal opinion determining the state’s OSHA ag labor housing rules broke state law, by reaching beyond the agency’s legal authority. The Amity Republican said the problem started six years ago, when OSHA started an updated rule process. She noted the agency refused to engage and talk with the farming community, but rather decided to use a heavy-handed approach...
...This week’s legal opinion does not nullify OSHA’s rules. Scharf said the next step is to request the Oregon Legislative Council to do a formal rule review.
Oregon’s Failed Drug Decriminalization Experiment
Once a hallmark of progressive legislators’ platforms, decriminalization is now fading from discussions around drug rehabilitation. In the shadow of Measure 110, Oregon continues to grapple with the delicate balance between criminal punishment and treatment. Policymakers tackling the drug epidemic can glean important insights from Measure 110’s shortcomings and areas for improvement, particularly regarding the timing of implementing a proposal of such magnitude.
It's National FFA Week!
FFA is a dynamic youth organization that changes lives and prepares members for premier leadership, personal growth, and career success through agricultural education.
FFA develops members' potential and helps them discover their talent through hands-on experiences, which give members the tools to achieve real-world success.
Members are future farmers, chemists, veterinarians, government officials, entrepreneurs, bankers, international business leaders, teachers, and premier professionals in many career fields.
FFA is an intracurricular student organization for those interested in agriculture and leadership. It is one of the three components of agricultural education.
The official name of the organization is the National FFA Organization. The letters "FFA" stand for Future Farmers of America. These letters are a part of our history and our heritage that will never change.
Watch the 2025 daily vignettes here!
From our Friends at the Albany Oregon Police Department:
A great big thank you to the Catholic Daughters of Americas, Our Lady of Perpetual Help, St. Mary's, Albany, Oregon who made and donated these great tie-blankets for us to hand out in times of need. Perfect timing on these very cold nights!
Gun Safety Class! Time to sign up!
Kids SAFE Foundation is with Albany Oregon Police Department at Albany Oregon Police Department. Coming up March 5th we be back at the Albany Oregon Police Department offering our FREE, Kids Firearm Safety 1 class. If you have ever wanted to join us, here is your opportunity. We are at APD 4 times per year. You can register through the link here. See you there!
Officer Arthur has a new partner! Meet K-9 Ace!
Ace is a Malinois/Shepherd mix and will be 4 years old in March. Ace comes from Ridgeline K9 LLC and is trained as an apprehension K-9. Officer Arthur and Ace are now a certified team! Ace loves to play tug and chase his ball. He is fitting right into the Arthur household and getting to know his department family as well! Ace would say his best feature is his floppy ears and that he is a very good listener. He is also a big boy who is weighing in at about 85 pounds.
P.S. This awesome photo was taken by Joe at Sniffany's Pet Boutique and we are so grateful for his incredible photography skills!
Please welcome Officer Millie Contreras-Gutierrez and Officer Kevin Elston to the Albany Police department! We are so excited to have them on our team! They both graduated on Friday from the Department of Public Safety Standards & Training! Congratulations!
Now you can quickly and easily report crime directly to the Albany Police Department! Text the word report to 541-981-5860 to receive a text link to file a report or scan the QR code shown.
From our friends at 4-H Linn County
The ever popular Youth Tractor Safety! Training registration is now open.
Click here for information on locations and to register!
From our friends at Jackson Street Youth Services:
It's our first day of Open Hours at the Albany Public Library! Thanks to Librarian Mona for making our first donation of deodorant!! We will be here in The Garden Room every Thursday from 10am-1pm moving forward.
Reminder, we ONLY receive donations at our Corvallis Mission Central office and during the Open Hours at APL. We no longer allow donations at the Youth Service Center to protect youth confidentiality.
We are excited to maintain these Open Hours at the library, not only so that generous community members have a place to drop off donations for us, but also because it's a great place to connect with community! Come say hi!
Eastern Oregon Agriculture Entrepreneurship Program
We had a visit from the Eastern Oregon students from the Agriculture Entrepreneurship Program! The Agriculture Entrepreneurship Programs helps students learn about agriculture and entrepreneurship through projects and coursework. These programs can help students develop skills in problem-solving, critical thinking, and creativity. Bonus – was able to see a neighbor from where I grew up, Cole Goracke, from Shedd!
South Albany High School AVID Class
The South Albany High School AVID Class visited the Capitol this week.
AVID - Advancement Via Individual Determination - is a national program designed to equip students with the academic skills, content knowledge, and social adaptability needed for success in college and beyond.
I was honored to welcome these bright and motivated students to their Capitol from the House Floor and commend their commitment to achieving their goals and pursuing future success!
More information about AVID in Albany
Watch my AVID Student Floor Courtesy, here.
During the 2025 legislative session my office will continue to keep you updated and informed - and is always at your service. Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any community event announcements, legislative questions, or concerns.
Talk soon,
Capitol Phone: 503-986-1415
Capitol Address: 900 Court St NE, H-389, Salem, OR 97301
Email: Rep.ShellyBoshartDavis@oregonlegislature.gov
Website: http://www.oregonlegislature.gov/boshartdavis
Replies to this message are sent to an unmonitored mailbox.
To contact me, please click here: Rep.ShellyBoshartDavis@oregonlegislature.gov
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