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To contact me, please click here: Rep.MarkOwens@oregonlegislature.gov
Friends and Neighbors,
As we head into the seventh week of session we hit another deadline this past week to have all regular bills filed by February 25. From this point on each legislator is only allowed five more priority bills this session. Currently there are over 3,300 bills introduced, but on average, only about 700 will pass by the end of a long session.
Right now, most bills are moving through policy committees before heading to a floor vote in their respective chambers. As we approach the First Chamber Deadline, any bill still in a policy committee from its chamber of origin will no longer advance. For example, after April 9, a House Bill in the House Climate, Energy, and Environment Committee will be considered dead. However, some bills may still receive informational hearings—designed purely to provide details without further action—or be transferred to committees like House Rules for potential advancement later in the session.
Thank you for staying involved in these critical issues. Your input truly makes a difference. If you have any questions or would like to testify on any of these bills, please reach out to my office. I also encourage you to watch my weekly video update, where I highlight key legislation and address concerns I’ve heard over the past week.
Stay safe,
Moments With Mark, February 28, 2025
 HB 3349 & HB 3350 - Rural Fire Protection Agencies (RFPAs)
Call for Testimony
A potential public hearing is scheduled for March 25 for two bills I have introduced to support Rural Fire Protection Agencies (RFPAs):
If you are part of an RFPA or support these efforts, I encourage you to sign up to testify. Please email my office, and we will notify you when the public hearing is posted, along with instructions on how to participate.
HB 3103 – Predictive Harvest Levels on State Forest Land
Public Hearing: March 3
This bill, supported by the timber industry and counties, directs the Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) to forecast board feet harvests over a five-year period. If ODF fails to meet these targets, the bill provides accountability measures to ensure harvest levels are met. Important: The -1 amendment has reduced the bill’s language from 10 pages to 3 and I will be supporting this amendment. Learn More
Floor Vote: Tuesday, March 4
This bill streamlines funeral home operations by expediting the process of filing death certificates. Timely processing is crucial for grieving families, and Oregon Funeral Directors have expressed overwhelming support for this change. With bipartisan backing, House Bill 3127 is expected to pass through the House, move to the Senate for hearings and a vote, and then be signed into law. Learn More
Work Session: Tuesday, March 4
House Bill 2330 will have a work session this coming Tuesday. The idea for this bill was brought to me by a constituent who had family members involved in financial scams and has suggested a task force to do further research and come up with solutions to deal with this problem. I have had support from financial institutions and AARP who would like to see this move forward.
HB 3800 & HB 3801 - Harney Basin Groundwater
Potential Public Hearing: March 10
Two important bills addressing the Harney Basin critical groundwater designation rulemaking will have a public hearing on March 10:
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House Bill 3800 – Directs the Oregon Water Resources Department (OWRD) to incorporate community-requested provisions in its rulemaking process. (e-subscribe)
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House Bill 3801 – Clarifies voluntary agreements for groundwater stability, ensuring they reflect community values rather than regulatory imposition. (e-subscribe)
Please consider signing up to testify or submitting written testimony. These bills have not yet been assigned in the Oregon Legislative Information System (OLIS), but if you e-subscribe, you will receive an email notification when the public hearing is scheduled.
Water Data & Rights
Readdressing House Bill 3419, I do not support the -2 and -3 amendments, these amendments were incorrectly drafted and will not be moving forward.
Many of you have reached out with concerns about how water data is used and potential impacts on farmers and ranchers. The state must improve its understanding of water inflows, outflows, and usage to manage this resource effectively.
The vast majority of farmers and ranchers operate within legal water limits, but concerns remain about forfeiture, reductions in use, and potential "takings." I am working with water rights attorneys to draft a forfeiture bill that will protect irrigators from unjust reductions. This will be a critical step in ensuring fair water management for our agricultural communities.
HB 3192 - Newborn Bloodspot Screening
I had the honor of testifying alongside Rep. Susan McLain, who invited me to co-sponsor House Bill 3192 this session. This critical legislation aims to expand the Newborn Bloodspot Screening Program by adding five more diseases and securing additional funding.
Much of the committee’s hearing focused on the importance of early detection for newborn diseases—many of which could have been identified with a simple bloodspot or heel prick after birth. The testimony from families was heartbreaking, filled with stories of missed diagnoses and the immense challenges they have faced as a result.
Rep. McLain has been a champion for this program for years, and I was drawn to join her after hearing from Amanda Bain, a constituent from House District 60. Amanda shared her family’s journey with her son, who has Duchenne muscular dystrophy—another disease that could be detected early and treated if included in the newborn screening program.
HB 3192 will strengthen Oregon’s newborn screening program, ensuring early diagnosis and treatment for rare diseases—because no family should have to wait for lifesaving care. I am grateful to Amanda for sharing her story and to all the dedicated advocates working to get this bill passed.
You can view our press release and watch the testimony below.
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As I mentioned before, the maps are flawed, and I will be working with my colleagues to repeal them this session. Your appeals are due March 10.
If you live in a high risk area you should have received a packet from ODF. If you have not, or need more information on filing an appeals please reach out. I've also provided more information below.
Appealing designation of hazard zone or wildland-urban interface
The appeal process is a two-step process:
- STEP 1: Those who wish to appeal should submit the appeal form by March 10.
- For this first step no attorney is required. Simply fill out the form to the best of one’s ability and check the box if the appellant intends to hire an attorney for “Step 2”.
- This step simply ensures those who wish to appeal, are in the que.
- STEP 2: Following March 10, ODF would initiate progressive referral of the received appeals to the Office of Administrative Hearings, where a hearing with an administrative law judge would be scheduled.
Helpful Links
Oregon Statewide Wildfire Hazard Map (this may take a moment to load)
PDF Appeal Form
Appeal FAQ
Notification Packet (this was mailed to property owners)
Map Technical Guide
Creating Defensible Space
Wildfire Hazard Mitigation
Wildfire Insurance Resources
Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) provided this update on February 24
No research or preparation of an appeal case needs to happen prior to filing an appeal form. What’s required for property owners to register their intent to appeal?
- File the appeal form with the Oregon Department of Forestry online by 5 p.m. March 10, or mail the form postmarked by March 10.
- Include the required information of property owner name, mailing address, property address or tax lot number of the tax lot designations to be appealed.
- Check one or both boxes to appeal designation in a specific hazard zone, or the wildland-urban interface.
- In the box that asks for more information, just write “further information will be provided.”
If your property is in a trust or LLC, you must be represented by an attorney during a hearing with the Office of Administrative Hearings, but you do not need to consult an attorney prior to filing your appeal form with the Oregon Department of Forestry.
The statewide wildfire hazard and wildland-urban interface maps are available on Oregon State University’s Wildfire Risk Explorer website.
Generally, the process for appeals is as follows:
- A property owner files the appeal form with the Oregon Department of Forestry.
- A Forestry official will contact the property owner to discuss their appeal case (after the conclusion of the session).
- The case will be referred to the Office of Administrative Hearings.
- A hearing with an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) will be scheduled. Under certain circumstances, an attorney may need to represent the property owner at a hearing, but consulting an attorney isn’t necessary to file the appeal form.
- All issues for an appeals case must be determined prior to the date of a hearing, but not before filing the appeal form.
- The ALJ will make a determination on the requested appeal.
Oregonians have many opportunities to engage with the legislative process and ensure their voices are heard. Whether it's tracking bills, submitting testimony, or subscribing to updates, your participation is vital to shaping state policy.
One of the most impactful ways to engage is by submitting written or oral testimony on proposed legislation. You can submit written testimony online here or learn how to testify in hearings here.
To stay informed on legislative matters, you can subscribe to email alerts on bills, committees, and legislative schedules. If you're interested in following specific legislation, use the Oregon Legislature’s Find a Bill tool.
For those curious about the legislative process, the How an Idea Becomes Law guide outlines the steps from an idea to enacted policy.
Your engagement makes a difference! Stay informed, get involved, and help shape Oregon’s future.
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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