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Here are some highlights from the past week and helpful community information for you!
- Shelly
AN OPPORTUNITY TO AMEND
THE GOVERNOR'S MIDDLE HOUSING LAW
Over the last two years, I have heard more constituents' concerns over the State’s middle housing laws than any other issue.
That’s why I testified on HB 2138, the Governor’s middle housing bill, this week. With the help and input of the City of Albany and the North Albany Neighborhood Association, I drafted the -4 amendment to give local governments more flexibility regarding when and where to site middle housing.
North Albany has been on the leading edge of negative consequences resulting from middle housing development, and HB 2138 threatens to worsen it.
My amendment does three things to try to mediate the traffic, infrastructure, and planning consequences of middle housing development:
- Puts additional guardrails on middle housing to ensure infill development, not greenfield development.
- Remove the redefinition of plexes to include detached units.
- Remove the ban on local governments from doing traffic studies when citing middle housing.
This comes as the Governor has released a new map of state-owned lands that could be redeveloped for housing.
You can watch the entire committee hearing here:
EMERGING THREAT: LITHIUM-ION BATTERY AND EV FIRES
This session, I introduced HB 3798 to take a proactive step toward addressing the emerging threat of lithium-ion fires and equipping our emergency personnel with the tools and knowledge to confront these threats.
Lithium-ion batteries pose unique fire risks that differ significantly from traditional fire threats. These batteries can experience “thermal runaway”—a chain reaction that results in extreme heat, explosions, toxic gas emissions, and even oxygen generation, which sustains fires. Unlike conventional fires, EV battery fires can reignite hours or days after being extinguished due to "stranded energy" in damaged cells. This phenomenon places an extraordinary burden on our first responders, requiring specialized training and equipment to mitigate risks effectively.
Oregon has already witnessed troubling incidents involving lithium-ion battery fires:
- In January 2025, a Tesla Model X was destroyed in Salem due to arson. While firefighters successfully extinguished the blaze, the unique challenges posed by EV battery fires—such as potential reignition—highlighted gaps in preparedness.
- In August 2024, two separate lithium-ion battery fires displaced 11 Portland residents. These incidents involved thermal runaway reactions that burned hot and fast, emitting toxic smoke and requiring extensive resources for containment.
- In January, a 35-foot electric bus caught fire in Josephine County while it was charging at the yard. The bus contained six battery packs on the roof and six more in the back. Firefighters managed to prevent the fire from spreading to other battery packs and monitored the vehicle for reignition for 24 hours before towing it.
- Deschutes County has reported 21 lithium-related fires at its landfill over three months. These fires often involve large EV batteries that ignite explosively when damaged or improperly disposed of.
It's time to make sure our local first responders have the tools to combat these fires effectively to preserve property and life.
Thank you to Albany Fire Chief Chris LaBelle for supporting this effort. I am proud to have bipartisan support for this bill and the support of the firefighter union, Oregon Fire Chiefs Association, and Fire and Emergency Medical Services Chapter of Special Districts Association of Oregon.
Watch the hearing here:
MORE TAX PROPOSALS FROM DEMOCRATS
House Democrats have once again proposed another tax that would raise the cost of beer, wine, and cider sold in Oregon. HB 3197 would start at a 2% tax and increase over time until it hits 8% in 2032. At a time when Oregonians say that cost of living is their top concern, should we really be slapping another tax, especially on the bar tab?
SPEAKING OF THE COST OF LIVING...
I was glad to see that earlier this week, a Marion County Circuit Court Judge issued a temporary injunction against Governor Tina Kotek's executive order that mandated a spike in public project construction costs. At a time when Oregonians are struggling to make ends meet, the Governor should not be driving up the cost of government.
FEDS OPEN INVESTIGATION INTO OREGON'S SPORTS POLICY
It seems we can't go a week without major news about our public education system. I am trying to remember the last time it was good news.
In the wake of the footage that emerged last week of a male transgender athlete boat-racing his female competitors in both the 200 and 400 meter races, the United States Department of Education has announced they have opened an investigation into the Oregon School Activities Association and Portland Public Schools for violating Title IX, which prohibits sex-based discrimination in any school or education-related program.
OYA SCANDAL CONTINUES TO DEEPEN
The Oregon Youth Authority (OYA) is facing intense scrutiny as new details emerge about the agency's mishandling of abuse complaints and alleged prioritization of diversity over safety.
Thousands of Abuse Complaints Ignored
A state investigation revealed that the OYA failed to properly investigate an estimated 3,000 abuse complaints spanning seven years, including allegations of sex crimes, drug smuggling, attempted suicide, and assaults. This massive backlog of unaddressed complaints directly impacted the safety of youths in state custody.
Leadership Ousted Amid Controversy
Governor Tina Kotek fired OYA Director Joe O'Leary last week. In the aftermath, O'Leary admitted he was "floored," citing Governor Kotek's staff direction that he "stand down" on transparency efforts, including wanting to develop an action plan after learning of the backlog. According to O'Leary, Governor Kotek's office told him to wait on a public records request before going public.
The recently released investigation revealed that Raymond Byrd, the recently resigned chief investigator at OYA, said that he felt "like he was set up for failure" after learning he was hired based on his race.
Calls for Federal Investigation
I join my Republican colleagues in calling for a full federal investigation into this disaster.
Oversight Hearings Planned
State legislators have announced plans to hold oversight hearings to examine the OYA's operations, particularly its handling of abuse complaints. Republican lawmakers are pushing for immediate action. Accountability should take precedence over budget discussions.
Ongoing Legal Challenges
The OYA is facing multiple lawsuits, including a recent $51 million suit filed by 10 men alleging sexual abuse by the former chief medical officer at MacLaren Youth Correctional Facility.
THE TORRENT OF ANTI-2ND AMENDMENT BILLS CONTINUE
It's hard to keep track of all the 2nd Amendment attacks from Legislative Democrats right now. So here is my attempt to help you keep track of them:
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Senate Bill 243: This is a comprehensive gun control bill that combines elements from multiple previous proposals. It includes:
- A 72-hour waiting period for firearm purchases
- Ban on rapid-fire devices like bump stocks
- Prohibition on semi-automatic weapon purchases for those under 21
- Expansion of local government authority to regulate firearms in public buildings
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Senate Bill 429: Implements a mandatory 72-hour waiting period for firearm purchases.
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Senate Bill 696: Creates the crime of unlawful transport, manufacture, or transfer of a "rapid-fire activator".
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Senate Bill 697: Prohibits individuals under 21 from possessing firearms, with some exceptions for certain types of rifles and shotguns.
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Senate Bill 698: Expands gun-free zones by allowing public entities to adopt policies prohibiting firearms, even for concealed handgun license holders.
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House Bill 3075: Modifies provisions of Ballot Measure 114, which is currently under constitutional challenge.
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House Bill 3076: Creates a burdensome state licensing regime on small businesses that sell firearms.
Several of these bills are still open to submit public testimony. Submit written testimony for by clicking each one of the following:
You can sign up to give testimony on SB 429, 696, 697, and 698 here. They are all scheduled for a public hearing on April 7 at 3 PM.
Is the electric vehicle market peaking? Oregon sales growth cooled last year
The rapid growth of Oregon electric vehicle registrations may be coming to an end, with growth rates cooling off considerably last year. Oregonians registered nearly 27,000 new electric vehicles during 2024, up 8.5% from the prior year.
Hundreds of Oregon bills are dead for this year
Oregon lawmakers have proposed more than 3,400 bills this legislative session, most of which will fail to pass. That became obvious last week as hundreds of bills failed to cross an important legislative hurdle, signaling their all but certain death. Friday marked the first major deadline for lawmakers and political groups hoping to advance their priority bills. By the end of the day, bills had to be scheduled for an upcoming work session or die, with limited exceptions.
House GOP asks Feds to investigate OHA health care $$ misuse
Today a group of Oregon House Republicans sent a letter to U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi to assist her in defending President Trump against Washington v. Trump and the efforts to block President Trump’s Executive Order to protect children from chemical and surgical mutilation...
...Between 2019 and 2023, 26 genital surgeries were performed on Oregon minors, according to insurance data analyzed by the medical advocacy organization Do No Harm.
“This is state-sponsored medical experimentation on kids, paid for with your tax dollars,” said House Health Care Committee member Representative Ed Diehl (R-Stayton). “And when OHA’s own commission found no evidence to justify it, they buried the report.”
“It’s a clear misuse of Medicaid funds,” said House Health Care Committee member Rep. Darin Harbick (R-Rainbow). “The DOJ needs to act—this isn’t health care, it’s political ideology masquerading as medicine.”
State Rep Drazan Introduces Bill that Creates Property Tax Exemption for Seniors
State Representative Christine Drazan has introduced a bill that creates a 5% property tax exemption that increases annually for homeowners who are at least 65 years old, have lived in their homes for at least 10 years and have a household income of no more than $150,000 per year. State demographic data shows seniors outnumber children in Oregon for the first time since 2023 at 19.6%, and the demand for elderly care is increasing rapidly.
Portland voters want money spent on homelessness to deliver better results. There’s a surprising reason why it’s not
More than two thirds of Portland-area residents who responded to a March poll commissioned by The Oregonian/OregonLive said they were not getting a good value from tax dollars spent on homelessness. In Multnomah County, that figure was significantly higher, with 76% of respondents saying they were getting a poor return on their investment compared to 61% in the other two counties. Respondents listed high rates of homelessness, minimal results and high taxes as reasons they felt tax money aimed at reducing homelessness was not being spent effectively.
Celebrating Achievements at the 2025 FFA State Convention
Please join me in congratulating Samantha Klum from Santiam Christian FFA on receiving her State FFA Degree at last week's FFA state convention in Redmond. So proud of Samantha and all of the awardees for their hard work and dedication!
 Transportation Talk: Steering Oregon's Future
I just wrapped up recording a podcast with Senator Bruce Starr and Senate Republican Leader Senator Daniel Bonham. We had a great conversation about transportation in Oregon—what’s working, what needs improvement, and how we can keep moving forward. Fast lanes, light-rail trains, and future gains. Buckle up and stay tuned!
 Oregon Women for Agriculture Wants You to Join!
It's getting closer! Mark your calendars for this annual event celebrating Oregon Agriculture and our amazing supporters!
From our friends at the City of Albany:
We're excited to announce that the City of Albany was awarded a satellite communication system to maintain communication with emergency partners during disasters and cyber incidents! This system ensures that our emergency services teams stay connected, even when traditional networks are down. It strengthens our real-time ability to coordinate with local, state, and federal partners. We're grateful for this critical resilience resource that will help us protect and serve our community during the unthinkable.
From our friends at Furniture Share:
Help keep usable household furnishings out of the landfill and consider giving them in the homes of people in need through Furniture Share! For more information check out our website here!
From our friends at the City of Tangent:
Learn practical, easy-to-implement strategies for how to create effective budgets, project future revenue, manage cash flow and expenses, anticipate financial challenges, and make smart decisions to boost your business's growth and bottom line. Sign up to register here!
All County Roads Lead to the Capitol:
I had a great and informative visit with our County Roads Directors this week! County roads play a vital role in Oregon’s integrated road system, comprising 62% of the state’s non-federal roads—26,744 miles in total. This system also includes 3,448 bridges, ensuring connectivity and support for local communities. County roads are a critical piece of Oregon’s infrastructure.
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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