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To contact me, please click here: Rep.LucettaElmer@oregonlegislature.gov
March 29, 2025 Legislative Update
House District 24,
The cherry blossom trees were in full bloom at the State Capitol this week! It was so encouraging to see so many people out and about, many coming to their Capitol to see the trees in bloom. In the spirit of spring, I want to remind you that the Capitol is your building. While we work hard to make Oregon a better, more affordable place to live, we need your help by making your voice heard. Join us in Salem sometime to testify, tour, or say hello, and be sure to stop by our office!
House Bill 3870 - Public Safety Funding
This week, McMinnville Fire District President Adam Garvin, McMinnville Fire Chief Reed Godfrey, and Sheridan Fire Chief Les Thomas came to the State Capitol to testify in support of House Bill 3870 which would provide critical public safety funding for their districts. I also testified to express my support.
In a local election almost 2 years ago, the McMinnville community supported the formation of the McMinnville Fire District, combining the McMinnville Rural Fire District with the McMinnville Fire Department. Our community voted for a $2 per thousand increase of property taxes to reduce response time and save lives. The McMinnville Fire District needs another fire station to cover the 98 square miles of the district not currently covered.
The Sheridan Rural Fire Protection District is purely requesting survival assistance. Their ambulance service area struggles to balance revenue and expenditures, primarily due to the shortfall of Emergency Medical Services (EMS) fees. Also - Did you know Sheridan is the home to the only federal prison in Oregon? Because this is a federal prison, the facility does not contribute to local taxes, creating an especially limited local tax revenue.
Thank you to the McMinnville Fire District and the Sheridan Rural Fire Protection District for their advocacy on behalf of the communities they serve!
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Oregon Adoption Day & Youth Suicide Awareness
I am excited to announce that my two of my bills are scheduled for a work session in the House Rules Committee on Monday! House Bill 2019 would establish Oregon Adoption Day on August 25th, and House Bill 3643 would establish October 9th as Oregon Youth Suicide Awareness Day.
You can livestream the work session this coming Monday, March 31st @ 8:00am HERE.
Bad Bill Alert - House Bill 3881
House Bill 3881 adds a significant administrative burden onto our School Districts, Education Special Districts, and Public Charter Schools completing K12 construction projects, and adds a financial penalty against the schools if they cannot meet the requirements within this legislation.
Here is a breakdown of what House Bill 3881 does:
- This legislation requires School Districts, Education Special Districts, or Public Charter Schools verify that a contractor has a three-year compliance history with 1) Federal & State Wage & Hour Laws, and 2) Workplace Safety Laws. It is unclear what would constitute “proof” under the bill.
- School Districts, Education Special Districts, or Public Charter Schools are also required to ensure that 15% of the employed workforce on the job are registered apprentices. This is particularly challenging for rural Oregon where this percentage of apprentices may not be accessible.
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THE WORST PART? If a School District, Education Special District, or Public Charter School cannot meet the apprenticeship requirement, then they are subject to a $15/hour penalty for every hour they cannot meet this. This is not insignificant, as we can be talking about thousands and thousands of hours on a larger project. And these dollars are coming out of the district’s bottom line.
- However, if a School District, Education Special District, or Public Charter School enters into a Project Labor Agreement (PLA), then they are not subject to ANY of these requirements. Project Labor Agreements are a way to mandate unionization without the union having to engage in organizing efforts or giving employees a choice in whether to be covered by a union agreement. Studies have shown that requirements for PLAs disadvantage smaller contractors and make it particularly challenging in less urban areas of the state. ODOT’s own research has shown that PLAs increase construction costs by 10-20% and reduce in far fewer bids. Only the largest contractors can absorb the costs related to union requirements and be competitive for these jobs.
We need to ensure that our schools are serving Oregon’s kids, and that communities are able to build the best facilities possible. This bill does not help our state meet that goal. Oregon should not prioritize the aims of labor unions over the health and safety of students.
This legislation is scheduled for a Work Session in the House Labor & Workplace Standards Committee this Wednesday, April 2nd. We need YOU to make your voice heard and tell Legislators NOT to support House Bill 3881.
Call or Email the Representatives on the Committee Below:
Chair Dacia Grayber
Email: Rep.DaciaGrayber@oregonlegislature.gov
Phone: 503-986-1428
Representative Lesly Muñoz
Email: Rep.LeslyMunoz@oregonlegislature.gov
Phone: 503-986-1422
Representative Lisa Fragala
Email: Rep.LisaFragala@oregonlegislature.gov
Phone: 503-986-1408
Representative Travis Nelson
Email: Rep.TravisNelson@oregonlegislature.gov
Phone: 503-986-1444
House Bill 3197 - Tax on Beer, Wine, & Cider
House Democrats have proposed another tax that would raise the cost of beer, wine, and cider sold in Oregon. House Bill 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 be adding another tax? As the Representative for Oregon's Pinot Noir Paradise, I am deeply concerned about the impact this legislation would have on our already burdened Oregon Wine Industry. Let me know your thoughts!
Protecting The 2nd Amendment
There are several bills being considered in the Legislature that aim to limit access to firearms for law-abiding gun owners in Oregon. I am including a list of them below:
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
Scheduled for a work session on Thursday, April 3rd.
House Bill 3075: Modifies provisions of Ballot Measure 114, which is currently under constitutional challenge.
Scheduled for a work session on Wednesday, April 2nd.
House Bill 3076: Creates a burdensome state licensing program for small businesses that sell firearms.
Scheduled for a work session on Wednesday, April 2nd.
Senate Bill 429: Implements a mandatory 72-hour waiting period for firearm purchases.
Senate Bill 696: Creates the crime of unlawful transport, manufacture, or transfer of a "rapid-fire activator."
Senate Bill 697: Prohibits individuals under 21 from possessing firearms, with some exceptions for certain types of rifles and shotguns.
Senate Bill 698: Expands gun-free zones by allowing public entities to adopt policies prohibiting firearms, even for concealed handgun license holders.
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.
The Result Of Oregon's Anti-Business Policies
It's clear that Oregon's anti-business policies are eliminating jobs and forcing industries to flee the state. The Oregon Employment Department (OED) reported Wednesday that the unemployment rate was 4.5 percent in February. That's the highest since August 2021. We urgently need to focus on building a strong and resilient economy that creates private sector jobs and empowers the next generation. Read More Here.
Judge Blocks Gov. Kotek's PLA Executive Order
Regarding our business climate - I was glad to see that earlier this week, a Marion County Circuit Court Judge issued a temporary injunction against Governor Tina Kotek's Project Labor Agreement (PLA) Executive Order that mandated an increase 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. Read More Here.
National Child Abuse Awareness Month
Every April, during National Child Abuse Prevention Month, Juliette’s House (Yamhill County's Child Advocacy Center) will temporarily adopt a refreshed branding that symbolizes their renewed commitment to protecting children and empowering survivors. Below is just one of the ways you can show your support for the critical work Juliette's House does during the month of April.
Starting MONDAY, you can pick up a t-shirt and wear it every Friday in April to help raise awareness and show your support for this important cause. Let's make a bigger impact as a community! Details Below:
Location:
Juliette’s House
1075 SW Cedarwood Ave
McMinnville, OR 97128
Pickup Hours:
Monday–Friday, 8 AM – 5 PM
Thursdays & Fridays are the best days for pickup, but we’re happy to accommodate Monday–Wednesday pickups too! Just give us a call at 503-435-1550 to schedule a time.
I am honored to serve you and our community at the State Capitol this session. Please stay in touch and reach out if there are any issues you would like us to work on.
Reach My Office
Follow Our Work On Social Media
All my best,
Representative Lucetta Elmer
House District 24
Capitol Phone: 503-986-1424
Capitol Address: 900 Court St. NE, H-374, Salem, Oregon 97301
Email: Rep.LucettaElmer@oregonlegislature.gov
Website: https://www.oregonlegislature.gov/elmer
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