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To contact me, please click here: Rep.EmersonLevy@oregonlegislature.gov

Hello Friends,

This week has been full of meetings, events, and a very special hearing. But first — a quick update: Our Joint Town Hall with Senator Broadman and Representative Kropf on Sunday, March 16th at 1pm has a new location. It will now be held at OSU Cascades in the Ray Hall Atrium. If you’ve already registered, you’ll receive an email with the updated location details. 

A big thank you to High Desert Food and Farm Alliance, David and Ian from Bend YIMBY, Mountain Star Relief Nurseries, Habitat for Humanity and Cascade Middle School for taking the time to meet with me this week! It’s always inspiring to have Central Oregon community members advocating for our region here at the Capitol.

This week I had the honor to meet Lori Alhadeff in person. Lori is the mother of Alyssa Alhadeff, the 14-year-old student who tragically lost her life in the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shooting in 2017. Her daughter’s memory lives on through Alyssa’s Law, which aims to equip schools with panic alarm systems that immediately alert first responders in life-threatening situations. While we secured the funding for these systems in 2023, due to the walkout, we were unable to codify the law into statute. It was truly humbling to have Lori here at the Capitol, sharing her testimony. You can read more about this below!

Below, you’ll find important information my team has gathered about bills, tax filing assistance, and more. As always, my door is always open — Please feel free to reach out if you need any assistance or have questions. 

Warmly,

Representative Emerson Levy
House District 53

Town Hall in Bend! 

Sunday, March 16th at 1:00 p.m. at OSU Cascades, Ray Hall Atrium. RSVP here: bit.ly/Central-Oregon-RSVP

Alyssa’s Law: Strengthening School Safety in Oregon

While funding for emergency response systems (also known as panic alarms) was secured in 2023 through House Bill 5014, now we must pass the policy itself to ensure schools have the ability to communicate more efficiently and effectively with first responders. As Rep. Levy stated, “In an emergency, every second counts.”

Representative Emerson Levy testified in strong support of HB 3083, not only as a legislator but as a mother. She emphasized that Alyssa’s Law emerged from the tragic Parkland school shooting, where 14-year-old Alyssa Alhadeff was among the 17 lives lost. Levy highlighted the critical role of unified communication systems in ensuring rapid emergency response, whether for an active threat, a medical crisis like a student needing an EpiPen, or a natural disaster. In other states, similar panic alert systems have been used 80% of the time for medical emergencies, demonstrating their everyday value in protecting students.

A Public Hearing on HB 3083 was held this past Tuesday in the House Committee on Education, bringing this crucial legislation forward once again.

Learn more: HB 3083.

HB 3081: Making Home Energy Upgrades Easier and More Affordable

Oregon families are struggling with rising utility costs, making it harder to keep homes safe and comfortable during extreme weather events like heat waves and ice storms. While there are hundreds of programs offering financial assistance for energy efficiency upgrades—like heat pumps, insulation, and clean electric appliances—navigating what's out there can be overwhelming.

HB 3081 builds on Oregon’s One Stop Shop initiative, now known as HIPPO (Hub for Incentive Programs + Projects in Oregon), by expanding access to live assistance and regional navigators who can help homeowners and renters apply for incentives, connect with contractors, and complete upgrades. The bill also directs the Oregon Department of Energy to ensure information is presented in region-specific ways, prioritizing vulnerable communities—including low-income families, rural residents, and the elderly—who are most impacted by rising energy costs.

Representative Emerson Levy testified in support of HB 3081, sharing the concerns of Central Oregonians who are frustrated by increasing utility bills and the complexity of accessing sustainable energy options. As she emphasized, this bill will not only help families lower their energy costs and carbon footprint, but also expand Oregon’s clean energy workforce, improve public health, and ensure people are living in safe environments.

A Public Hearing on HB 3081 was held on Tuesday, March 4th, at 8:00 AM in the House Committee on Climate, Energy, and Environment, bringing this important issue forward for discussion.

This is a win for affordability, climate resilience, and healthier homes. Learn more: HB 3081.

HB 2138: Expanding Housing Choices While Preserving Oregon’s History

Oregon is facing a housing crisis, and Governor Tina Kotek is working to remove barriers to building more affordable, accessible homes. House Bill 2138 is designed to expand medium-density housing—like duplexes and townhomes—in both new and existing neighborhoods, helping to create more options for Oregonians at all income levels.

Initially, the bill included a provision that would have made it easier to demolish historic homes listed in the National Register of Historic Places. However, after hearing community concerns, Governor Kotek announced that this provision will be removed. This decision ensures that while Oregon continues to address its urgent housing needs, it will also preserve its architectural heritage.

HB 2138 is an important step toward increasing housing supply and affordability across the state. Learn more: HB 2138.

Get Free Tax Preparation Assistance at Oregon Libraries

The Oregon Department of Revenue is offering free tax preparation assistance at libraries across the state. If you need help filing your taxes, trained professionals will be available to guide you through the process.

What to Bring:

To ensure a smooth tax preparation process, please bring the following documents:

•  Social Security card or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) for everyone on your return
• Government-issued photo ID (driver’s license or passport) for you and your spouse (if filing jointly)
• W-2 forms (wages from a job)
• 1099 forms (other income, Social Security benefits, interest, etc.)
• A canceled check or your bank’s routing and account number for direct deposit
• Last year’s tax return (if available)

Close-To-HD53 Assistance Date & Location:

• March 20 – North Bend Public Library, 10 AM - 6 PM

For more information, please click here.

File Your Oregon Taxes for Free with Direct File Oregon

Did you know you can file your Oregon state taxes for free using Direct File Oregon? This easy, secure, and free tool allows most full-year Oregon residents to file their state tax returns directly with the Oregon Department of Revenue.

Why Use Direct File Oregon?

• Simple – Step-by-step guidance to complete your return
• Secure – File directly with the Department of Revenue’s secure servers
• Instant confirmation – Know immediately that your return was submitted successfully
• Completely free – No fees, no hidden costs

However, Direct File Oregon does not support:

• Part-year or nonresident returns (Forms OR-40-N and OR-40-P)
• Certain complex tax situations (such as fiscal-year returns or nonresident filings)

Even if you’re not required to file, you may still be eligible for a refund if you qualify for the Oregon Earned Income Credit or the Oregon Kids Credit.

For more details, visit Direct File Oregon.

Capitol Phone: 503-986-1453
Capitol Address: 900 Court St. NE, H-486, Salem, Oregon 97301
Email: Rep.EmersonLevy@oregonlegislature.gov
Website: https://www.oregonlegislature.gov/levye​