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To contact me, please click here: Rep.MarkOwens@oregonlegislature.gov
Dear Friends and Neighbors,
It’s been a good but hectic week here in Salem. With the policy committee work session deadline of 5:00 PM on Friday, there’s been plenty of jostling to get bills moving forward. It’s important to note that this deadline only applies to policy committees. Under the current legislative schedule, committees must consider measures in their chamber of origin no later than April 9, 2025. However, this deadline does not apply to the Joint Committee on Ways and Means, other joint committees, the Senate and House Committees on Rules, the Senate Committee on Finance and Revenue, the House Committee on Revenue, or the Senate and House Committees on Conduct.
There has been a lot of flooding in our community and I want to recognize this and hope we will see some resolution soon and reciting water. I know many of us want to get out to our fields with spring upon us.Â
As always, I appreciate the hard work and dedication of everyone who has called, emailed, testified, submitted comments, and stayed engaged. Your voices are making a difference as we continue to fight for rural Oregon.
Stay safe,
 Representative Mark Owens
House District 60
From supporting future farmers and ranchers to tackling water management, predator control, and wildfire protection, we’re working hard to pass meaningful legislation that benefits rural Oregon. Plus, Water Day was a huge success, bringing together people from all across the state. Check out the Moments with Mark video from this week.Â
I’m proud to co-sponsor HB 2730 alongside Rep. Court Boice. This bill establishes the Farmer and Rancher Incentive Program, which encourages students pursuing careers in farming, ranching economics, and animal husbandry to get more involved and gain valuable experience. There is a work session on March 26 to keep this bill moving forward.
Place-Based Planning for Water Management
Two significant place-based planning bills came up this week:
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HB 3116: This bill creates a pilot project for place-based water planning across Oregon in regions such as the Harney Basin, Lower John Day, Union, and the Mid-Coast. Place-based planning is a collaborative approach that brings together local communities to manage water resources at the basin level. While the Oregon Water Resources Department (OWRD) supports the concept, they’ve struggled with implementation once plans are approved. We’re pushing hard to get these bills passed so they don't end up collecting dust on a shelf.
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HB 3114: This bill focuses on the Chewaucan Basin, with support from community members like Tess Baker and Colleen & Matt Withers, who testified in favor. The goal is to advance collaborative water management efforts for areas like Lake Abert in Lake County.
We’re also making progress on HB 3596, which addresses predator damage—particularly the impact of cougars on Oregon’s ungulate population. While the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) has conducted studies in other regions, their findings have been inconclusive, often attributing the decline in ungulates to poor body condition from lack of food. However, many in our rural communities believe cougars play a significant role. This bill calls for a study in the Steens Mountain herd range area to demonstrate the causal effects and advocate for more aggressive predator control policies.
On Tuesday, we’ll be addressing HB 3349 and HB 3350, two bills aimed at providing additional support for Rangeland Fire Protection Associations (RFPAs). These volunteer-led groups are the first line of defense in areas not covered by state firefighting resources. Since they aren’t full-time firefighters, they need more state assistance and resources to continue protecting our communities. A number of RFPA members will be joining the committee for in person testimony on Tuesday, I want to thank them for their time traveling over to Salem.Â
On Wednesday, we’ll be focusing on a Harney Basin-specific bill related to the ongoing groundwater issues that we’ve been working on for nearly a decade. With the OWRD set to finalize new rules soon, there will be a significant reduction in groundwater pumping—a major change that will directly affect many in the region. We’re working on a compromise between regulatory and voluntary approaches to ensure fairness and sustainability. I want to personally thank those from the Harney Basin who plan to make the trip to advocate for their communities.
Finally, HB 2332 aims to address the current DEQ permit requirements for air curtain incinerators. The current law requires a Title X permit, which is costly and unnecessary, as federal regulations don’t mandate it. We’re pushing for this bill to remove the excessive permitting burden and align with federal standards.
Water Day a Huge Success
Water Day on Thursday, March 20, was a tremendous success, with many people from across Oregon showing up to advocate for water issues. I want to give a special thanks to Harmony Burright, Chief of Staff of the Water Caucus, for her dedication and hard work in preparing and coordinating this event. The Water Caucus is a bipartisan and bicameral group made up of over 30 legislators, working together to address the water challenges facing our state. Their collaboration and commitment are essential in shaping sound water policy for Oregon’s future.
In the past these have been fondly referred to as the Joint Ways and Means Roadshow. If you have sent in a Capitol Project Request is it imperative you attend one of these meetings to testify on your request.
 The Joint Committee on Ways and Means will tour the state for six public
hearings to hear directly from Oregonians regarding the 2025-2027 budget
Gresham | Saturday, March 22 (10:00am – 12:00pm)
Mt. Hood Community College, College Theater
26000 S.E. Stark Street, Gresham, OR 97030
Members of the public can register to testify here
Astoria | Friday, March 28 (5:00pm – 7:00pm)
Liberty Theatre Astoria
1203 Commercial Street, Astoria, OR 97103
Members of the public can register to testify here
Warm Springs | Friday, April 4 (5:00pm – 7:00pm)
Old Warm Springs Elementary School
1112 Wasco Street, Warm Springs, OR 97761
Members of the public can register to testify here
La Grande | Friday, April 11 (5:00pm – 7:00pm)
Eastern Oregon University, Hoke Union Building #339
1 University Boulevard, La Grande, OR 97850
Members of the public can register to testify here
Salem, Statewide Virtual Testimony Prioritized | Wednesday, April 16 (5:00pm – 7:00pm)
Oregon State Capitol Building, Hearing Room F
900 Court St NE, Salem, OR 97301
Members of the public can register to testify here
Klamath Falls | Friday, April 25 (5:00pm – 7:00pm)
Klamath Community College, Building 4 Commons
7390 South 6th Street, Klamath Falls, OR 97603
Members of the public can register to testify here
  
Where’s My Refund? tool improved for 2025
Taxpayers who want to check the status of their Oregon state income tax refund will find more information available this year when they use the Department of Revenue’s Where’s My Refund? tool.
For the 2025 tax season, Where’s My Refund? has been upgraded to provide:
- Additional detail about refund status.Â
- Added functionality to see when the agency is requesting additional information to complete processing a return.Â
- Website enhancements for improved customer experience.
Which of Oregon’s free electronic tax filing options fits you best?
A variety of free electronic-filing options are available to Oregon taxpayers, including the new combination of IRS Direct File and Direct File Oregon.
While the free filing options have some income and other limitations, most Oregon taxpayers are eligible to file electronically at no cost using one of the free file options that can be found on the Department of Revenue website. Or follow the guide in this news release.
Free help filing Oregon tax returns
Taxpayers that don’t have a computer or need one-on-one help also have options for electronic filing. AARP Tax-Aide, the IRS Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) and Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) programs, MFS-CASH Oregon, and the United Way’s MyFreeTaxes offer in person and drop off services for tax preparation by trained volunteers. Learn more on Revenue’s Get free help filing your taxes webpage.
Thousands of taxpayers have filed state returns with Direct File Oregon
The newest free electronic filing option is the combination of IRS Direct File and Direct File Oregon. Almost 5,000 taxpayers have used Direct File Oregon to file their state income tax returns. Almost 2,000 of those state returns were filed in combination with federal returns filed with IRS Direct File.
More information about Direct File is available on the Revenue website. Videos are also available to show how to use IRS Direct File and Direct File Oregon.
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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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