Spring at the Capitol + Big Policy Updates!

Oregon State Legislature sent this bulletin at 03/28/2025 03:00 PM PDT
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Represenative Emerson Levy

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

Hello Friends,

Spring is in full bloom at the Capitol, and with spring break this week, I had the joy of having my daughter join me in Salem. It’s always special to share this work with her and give her a firsthand look at how our government operates.

This week was also a big one for legislation. We hit our first major deadline — bills without a scheduled work session won’t be moving forward. Fortunately, the majority of bills we’re working on are still in play.

 Spring at the Capitol!
Alyssa's Law on the Floor of the House

One important milestone this week was passing Alyssa’s Law — again! You might remember we passed parts of this important school safety legislation in 2023, but due to the record long Republican walkouts, we weren’t able to formally put it into state law. While the grant program has already been up and running, this final step ensures that schools will continue to have access to emergency response systems. Now, our focus turns to working with school districts to get them fully implemented.

Second, I, along with other colleagues, held a Public Hearing on cell phone policies for students in Oregon schools. The bipartisan policy that we introduced requires phones be put away from the first bell to the last bell, with exceptions for medical or IEP needs. We will link the hearing below.  
June in the Capitol

It was so wonderful to see my daughter experience our democracy up close. Now more than ever, we need to instill the values of civic engagement, critical thinking, and participation in government in our kids. The Oregon Legislature offers a Page Program for students ages 12-17, where they can spend a day at the Capitol learning how our government works. If you know a student who might be interested, please reach out — I’d love to help them get involved! 

Warmly,

Rep. Levy's Signature

Cell Phones in Schools - HB 2251

This week a bipartisan group of legislators testified in front of the House Education Committee on a proposal to establish clearer guidelines for cell phone use in schools, which reflects extensive conversations over the past year about how technology impacts learning. Research shows that even when students aren’t actively using their phones, just having them nearby can reduce focus and retention.

Cell Phones in Schools Hearing

Some schools in Bend-La Pine have already gone phone-free from bell to bell, and the results have been striking—not just in improved classroom engagement, but in the energy of the hallways and lunchrooms, where students are talking and interacting more.

If you’re interested in watching the hearing, you can find the link here.

Federal Updates: Department of Education 

Last week, Attorney General Rayfield joined a coalition of attorneys general in taking legal action to prevent the dismantling of the U.S. Department of Education. The Department plays a crucial role in supporting schools, educators, and students across the country. You can read more about this legal effort here.. 

Joint Ways & Means is Hitting the Road — Week 2!

We’re now in the second week of the Joint Committee on Ways and Means’ statewide budget hearings, and I’m committed to making sure Central Oregonians' thoughts are heard as Oregon shapes its 2025-2027 biennial budget. 

This committee, which oversees the state’s budget process, is holding six community hearings across Oregon—and I’ll be there to listen to you. These hearings are your chance to share what matters most—whether it’s funding for schools, roads, health care, or other critical services.

With limited resources and uncertainty due to federal actions, your input is more important than ever in guiding the tough decisions ahead. The hearing closest to House District 53 will take place on tribal lands in Warm Springs on Friday, April 4—more details below!

Here’s where and when you can join:

Want to share your thoughts? Sign up to testify at the hearing closest to you — or join us virtually on April 16th. If you can’t attend, feel free to email me your budget priorities anytime. 

I look forward to hearing from you and working together to make sure our priorities are reflected in the state budget. 

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​