I wanted to take a moment to introduce myself—my name is Sam Evans, and I have the privilege of serving as Chief of Staff for Representative Darcey Edwards.
With a background that spans politics, public policy, and the private sector, I’m honored to support Darcey’s work on behalf of the people of House District 31.
Before stepping into public service, I spent over a decade teaching swimming lessons—starting at age 15—and worked in everything from the lumber department at Home Depot (yes, I drove the forklifts!) to managing the valet team at a Toyota service center. I come from a family of educators—my mom taught middle school English, and my dad currently serves as a Dean at Chemeketa Community College.
Those early jobs, and the values I learned from my parents, shaped how I approach this work: with a deep focus on service, hard work, and community. We take our responsibility to serve you just as seriously as Representative Edwards does—so please don’t hesitate to reach out at any time.
This newsletter is one of the many ways our office stays connected to the issues that matter most to you. If there’s something you’d like us to cover, a local event to highlight, or questions we can help answer, let us know. And if we can’t help directly, we’ll do our best to connect you with someone who can.
Thank you for staying engaged. We’re always here to listen—and to serve.
Warmly,
Sam Evans
Chief of Staff
Office of State Representative Darcey Edwards
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Washington County Dairy Princesses Visit Salem
I had the pleasure of welcoming Princess Tayler Lovelady, the 2024–2025 Washington County Dairy Princess Ambassador, and Princess Anna Wismer, the 2025–2026 Alternate Oregon State Dairy Princess Ambassador, to the Capitol this week.
These outstanding young women from Banks and Gaston are representing Oregon’s agricultural roots with pride, poise, and purpose. The Dairy Princess Ambassador Program is a big deal in our rural communities—and it’s always exciting to see local leaders stepping up to represent the future of Oregon agriculture.
FUN FACT!
I was the 1987 Washington County Dairy Princess Ambassador, so it was especially fun to welcome Princess Tayler and Princess Anna to the Capitol and share how the program helped shape my own path in leadership.
Thank you for visiting, Princesses Tayler and Anna. We are all so proud of you and you have very bright futures ahead.
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THE GOOD
Senate Bill 9 – Prioritizing Rural Driver Testing
I am proud to Chief Co-sponsor this bipartisan bill with Senator Todd Nash. It ensures that DMV field offices in rural counties prioritize driving test appointments for local residents.
HB 3927 – Energizing Oregon’s Future
I testified in support of this bill last week—watch it here. It directs the State Department of Energy to study and plan for expanding Oregon’s electric transmission infrastructure to meet future needs.
THE BAD
HB 3197 – A Tax on Your Tap & Your Table
Salem is eyeing your local tap—this bill adds a 2% tax on beer, cider, and wine sales, scaling up to 8% by 2032. It’s a hit to small businesses and the people who support them.
HB 2961– EV Parking Mandates Without a Plan
This bill forces more EV-only parking in new construction—without considering local infrastructure or community needs.
THE UGLY
HB 3075 – The Measure 114 Mess Continues
This bill begins implementing the deeply flawed Measure 114. It chips away at the rights of responsible gun owners without addressing crime or safety.
HB 2803 – Fees Go Up, Service Doesn’t
This bill more than doubles water-related fees—some rising over 130%—with no increase in service or staffing. That’s not how responsible government works.
My bill to crack down on swatting, House Bill 3935, is scheduled for a public hearing in the House Judiciary Committee on Monday, April 8, at 3:00 PM. TUNE IN HERE.
As Chief Sponsor, I introduced this legislation to address the growing threat of false emergency reports—known as “swatting”—that put lives at risk and waste critical public safety resources. HB 3935 creates strong penalties for knowingly initiating these false reports, including up to 10 years in prison and fines up to $250,000.
If you support this public safety measure, I encourage you to register to testify or submit written testimony. Instructions are below.
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Oregon’s legislative session is in full swing—and your voice makes a real difference. Whether you’re a community member, business owner, or part of a local organization, testifying is one of the most impactful ways to speak up.
Here's where to start:
Short Links
You can testify live at a hearing (virtually or in person) or submit written comments directly to the committee.
Register to Testify Live
Support or oppose a bill during a public hearing—no need to travel to Salem if you prefer to testify virtually.
How it works:
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Open the Oregon Legislative Information System (OLIS)
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Select the “Bills” tab at the top right
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Search for the bill number (e.g., HB XXXX). Make sure you've selected the tab for 2025 Session Bills.
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Click “Register to Testify” and fill out the form
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Register at least 30 minutes before the hearing starts
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You’ll receive a confirmation email with details to join the meeting by MS Teams or phone. Do not share your MS Teams link.
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Need help? Call the Legislature at 1-833-588-4500
Submit Written Testimony
Prefer to put your thoughts in writing? That’s just as valuable.
Here’s how:
You don’t need to be a policy expert—you just need to share why this issue matters to you. Your personal story, community perspective, or professional insight is exactly what lawmakers need to hear.
📌 Tip: Keep it short and clear—most testimony is just 2–3 minutes long or a few paragraphs. State your name, where you’re from, and whether you support or oppose the bill. Then briefly share why.
🔗 Learn more directly from the Oregon Legislature:
How to Testify in the Oregon Legislature
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