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To contact me, please click here: Rep.RickLewis@oregonlegislature.gov
Dear Friends and Neighbors,
April is here and committees are running at a fever-pitch as our first chamber deadline arrives tomorrow, April 9th. This means that policy bills in their first chamber of origin that are not moved to the floor or to the Rules, Revenue, or a Joint Committee are essentially dead.
This week officially brings us to the halfway point of the session. A record number of over 3400 bills, resolutions, and memorials have been introduced. As of last Friday, the House has passed 102 bills, and eight Resolutions and Memorials. The Senate has passed 113 bills.
On May 14th we will receive the June revenue forecast that sets the stage for the 2025-27 state budget we are constitutionally required to balance. Our second chamber deadline takes place on May 23rd. At that point, everything moves into warp-speed in order for us to complete our work to close the session on or before June 29th.
Your engagement is always appreciated. As we move into the second half of the session it is likely that we will see some of the more contentious issues that often spring up during this phase and as we delve more deeply into the budget.
There is still a lot of work ahead. Your continued feedback and input is important. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to my office if you have something on your radar, need assistance with the legislative process, or an issue involving state government. We are here to help!
Sincerely,
 Rick Lewis
State Representative
House District 18
Oregon’s Christmas Tree District
The number of bills that made their way to the floor this past month increased exponentially as we approach the first-chamber deadline. To keep up and remain on schedule, we began holding more frequent floor sessions and they will continue to increase from here forward.
While far too many bills have moved through the House Chamber to cover in this update, I have highlighted a few that I am either a chief/regular sponsor on, that have been worked through in one of my policy committees, or that I thought you may find of interest. You can also access a list of the bills that were passed on the third readings lists for each session day on OLIS here.
HCR 23 Wake Island Remembrance (Lewis Chief-Sponsor)
It was my privilege to introduce HCR 23 to recognize and honor the 31 Oregon civilians who perished while serving the United States on Wake Island during World War II.
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As the measure’s chief-sponsor, I proudly carried the resolution on the house floor and shared their story that not many know.
Most Americans know the significance of December 7, 1941, in our history. President Franklin Delano Roosevelt called that date, a date which will live in infamy. And in fact, to those of my parents’ generation, it rivals the 9-11 attack on the twin towers in our more recent history. It is of course, the day that the Empire of Japan attacked Pearl Harbor and brought the United States into World War II. Very few know the story of what happened later that same day some 2000 miles away on a small strip of land known as Wake Island. In fact, until retired Lt. Colonel Dick Tobiason told me about it, I knew nothing about the role civilian contractors played in what transpired there. Dick introduced me to Bonita Gilbert (Bonnie), and I read her book, Building for War, about the siege of the island and what transpired after. Five hours after the attack on Pearl Harbor, Japanese forces attacked Wake Island in the Pacific and after a 16-day siege, captured the island including a small detachment of U.S. Marines and in the neighborhood of 1100 American civilian contractors who had been commissioned by the U.S. Navy to build a naval installation on the island. 134 Oregonians served as civilian contractors on Wake Island. Over the course of the next several years, 31 civilian contractors from Oregon lost their lives.
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I want to thank Bonnie Gilbert and Dick Tobiason for doing the research that led to drafting this Resolution and for taking steps to finally honor those civilians who have largely been forgotten over time. As civilians they don’t qualify for inclusion on the WW II memorial, though they fought alongside the Marines in defense of the island. Their story is one of courage and dedication and their sacrifices should not be forgotten. Wake Island civilian survivors became eligible for U.S. Navy discharge and VA benefits under the provisions of PL 95-202, the “G.I. Improvement Act of 1977.” – too late in time for more than 600 men who had died in the war and over the years after the war.
The full story of the Wake Island Civilian Contractors is told in the resolution. I encourage you to read it here and watch my floor speech.
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I also want to thank Bonnie, her sister Dina, and Tom Nelson (whose fathers were taken prisoners on Wake Island) for attending the floor session, as well as the Mt. Angel post of the American Legion and representatives from La Pine American Legion, Post 45 who were present. I also want to express my gratitude to Representatives Boice and Helfrich for reading aloud the names of the 31 civilian contractors as the chamber stood to remember them individually. Lastly, a huge thanks to Dick Tobiason who was unable to be here in person but attended virtually from Tucson.
The bill moved to the Senate Committee On Veterans, Emergency Management, Federal and World Affairs. It passed out of that committee this afternoon and will be up for vote in the Senate chamber soon.
 
HB 3141 Oregon Farmer and Rancher Day (Lewis Sponsor)
I joined my colleagues in sponsoring HB 3141 that designates the third Tuesday of March of each year as Oregon Farmer and Rancher Day. The measure reflects the deep-rooted values and hardworking spirit of so many family-owned businesses in my district. Our farmers and ranchers are the backbone of our local economy and play a vital role in sustaining our state’s food systems, land stewardship, and rural communities. This bill celebrates their dedication, innovation, and resilience, and I am proud to stand with those who rise before dawn and work tirelessly to feed Oregon and beyond.
Supporting this legislation is not just symbolic – it’s a reaffirmation of our commitment to the people and industry that not only defines House District 18 but rural communities in every corner of our state. The bill is before the Senate Committee on Natural Resources and Wildfire for further consideration.
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HB 2465 Authority of Supervising Officers
This measure passed out of my House Judiciary Committee. It provides that the unlawful departure of a person from the custody of a parole and probation officer constitutes the crime of escape. The measure makes non-substantive technical changes to the definitions of "contraband." And the measure provides that parole and probation officers may access Department of Transportation drivers license photos. The bill is currently before the Senate Committee on Judiciary.
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HB 3522 Evictions of Squatters (Lewis Sponsor)
Issues involving squatters have become an increasingly common problem for Oregon property owners and I have heard from various property owners in the district who have faced issues with squatters, time and time again.
As a sponsor of the bill, I cast a "yes" vote in full support. The bill creates a quicker legal path for property owners to remove individuals unlawfully occupying their property without permission. The bill allows a property owner or landlord to deliver a written notice giving the occupant 24 hours to vacate, clearly stating that the person is not legally allowed to be there. If the individual stays beyond that time, their continued presence is considered unlawful. The legislation also ensures that this type of notice is included when filing for an eviction in court and affirms that standard legal and enforcement fees still apply. Overall, HB 3522 is designed to help property owners more effectively deal with unauthorized occupants while maintaining a legal process.
The bill passed unanimously off the House Floor with five members excused and moves to the Senate for further consideration.
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HB 2269 Oregon State Capitol Foundation As Vice-Chair of the House Committee on Emergency Management, General Government, and Veterans (HEMGGV), and a former legislative board member of the Oregon State Capitol Foundation, I carried this bill to its passage on the House Floor.
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The bill amends and adds to statutes related to the Oregon Capitol Foundation; and closes the Oregon State Capitol Foundation Operating Fund and the Oregon Capitol History Gateway Fund. I chose to highlight this bill for my carry on the House floor, and as an example of some of the topics the HEMGGV committee has been working on as it relates to the very broad “General Government” title. The bill is now in the Senate Rules Committee for further consideration.
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To elevate the voices of my constituents, on March 13th I gave a remonstrance in opposition to HB 2548 - Ag Workforce Standards bill. I am proud to join their voices and my caucus to oppose this sweeping, one-size-fits- all mandate. This bill is being presented as a way to protect farmworkers but fails to recognize that Oregon already has some of the strongest labor protections in the country. We follow strict safety standards, provide fair wages, some offer housing, and comply with a long list of regulations designed to keep workers safe. Should the bill pass, it would transfer critical decisions about staffing, wages, benefits, and training to an unelected, unaccountable, bureaucratic body, and disregards the significant protections already in place for farmworkers
From 2017-2022, we’ve lost 2,000 family farms in Oregon. Over the past five years, Oregon has lost 57 dairy farms. HB 2548 isn't about farmers and farm workers. It's about government overreach, political posturing, and division.
We support health and safety standards to protect our employees, but we cannot support overregulation that damages farmers and farm jobs. The proposed board in the bill would have no oversight. They could create whatever kind of wage and safety standard laws they want and because farmers simply cannot afford to keep up with those unreasonable standards, they would have no choice but to close up shop and sell to the highest bidder. The bill is scheduled for a work session tomorrow in the House Committee On Labor and Workplace Standards.
Spring has sprung and last week the Oregon Farm Bureau delivered beautiful tulips to legislators’ offices, courtesy of the Wooden Shoe Tulip Farm.
The Wooden Shoe Tulip Farm is a cherished landmark in Oregon House District 18, contributing not only to the region’s agricultural economy but also to its cultural and tourism appeal. Their vibrant tulip fields attract visitors from all over the world, boosting local businesses and showcasing the beauty of Oregon’s farmland.
During floor courtesies, I extended a heartfelt thank you to the Wooden Shoe Tulip Farm for sharing their beautiful tulips with us. Their dedication to agriculture and community is deeply appreciated, brightening both our fields and our Capitol!
The committee has remained engaged in evaluating and advancing legislation related to emergency management, general government operations, and veterans’ affairs. To date, there have been 184 bills assigned to this committee. We have held 21 meetings and moved 27 bills out of committee. As the second half of the session kicks into gear we will begin working senate bills. A list of the bills passed out of this committee so far include:
HB 2050
State income tax for veterans.
HB 2136
Program to award grants for fairgrounds used as emergency evacuation sites.
HB 2269 A
Oregon State Capitol Foundation. (Lewis Floor Carry)
HB 2337 A
Preferences for small businesses in public procurement.
HB 2341
Adds e-mail address to the type of data that is to be shared with the Department of Veterans' Affairs.
HB 2346 A
Creates the Office of Resilience and Emergency Management within the Department of Human Services.
HB 2386
Unclaimed remains of veterans, veterans' spouses and dependents and survivors of veterans. (Lewis Sponsor)
HB 2515
Intergovernmental agreements of pools for the investment of funds of public bodies.
HB 2537
Establishes the Veterans Waiver Program in the Oregon Health Authority
HB 2565 A
Contracts with federally funded research and development centers.
HB 2581
Expands the duties of the State Resilience Officer. (Lewis Sponsor)
HB 2693
Authorizes the issuance of lottery bonds for deposit in the Levee Project Grant Fund.
HB 2726
Authorizes the issuance of lottery bonds to fund Columbia corridor flood safety projects in Multnomah County.
HB 3084
Directs specified state agencies to collaborate with local and regional officials to develop the CORE3 center.
HB 3150
Establishes an income tax credit for volunteer firefighters. (Lewis Sponsor)
HB 3175
Removes the cap on fees a county may charge to fund the county's activities related to public land survey corners
HB 3328 A
Adds Grant County to the list of counties that may use road fund moneys from federal forest reserves payments for patrolling on the county's roads.
HB 3349 A
Authorizes the State Forestry Department to take certain actions related to motor vehicles and other equipment used by the department.
HB 3350 A
Appropriates moneys out of the General Fund to the State Forestry Department for deposit in the Rangeland Protection Association Fund.
HB 3366
Appropriates moneys from the General Fund to the Oregon Department of Administrative Services for distribution to the Rogue Siskiyou Regional Training Center.
HB 3492 A
Directs the State Department of Geology and Mineral Industries to study risks and issues relating to earthquake-induced toxic inhalation.
HB 3518
Increases the county recording fee that is credited to the County Assessment and Taxation Fund and indexes the fee to inflation.
HB 3627
Establishes the Disabled Veterans Assistance Fund (Lewis Chief Sponsor)
HB 3788
Directs the Oregon Business Development Department to develop and administer a program to issue grants to certain medical facilities near a tsunami inundation zone to enable the facilities to store fuel and water for emergency purposes.
HB 3870
Appropriates moneys from the General Fund to the Oregon Business Development Department for distribution to local governments and other entities for purposes related to public safety.
HCR 2
Declaring a commitment to the health and safety of firefighters and to finding an urgent solution to the problem of firefighting personal protective gear that contains cancer-causing chemicals.
HCR 23
Recognizing and honoring Oregon civilians who served the United States on Wake Island during World War II. Commends individuals who have increased public awareness of the service and sacrifice of these civilians. (Lewis Chief-Sponsor)
HB 3627 Disabled Veterans Fund (Lewis Chief-Sponsor)
I want to shine a spotlight to recognize Woody Tiernan, who I had the honor of sitting beside as we testified in support of HB 3627.
Woody brought this idea for a bill to me at my recent speaking engagement with an area retired veterans' group when he saw the shortage of assistance to provide financial help for disabled veterans to install wheelchair ramps and other similar mobility and accessibility devices at residences inhabited by veterans who have become disabled.
I am deeply grateful for his steadfast support for our veterans and for the meaningful contributions he continues to make in honor of our veterans. Thank you, Woody, for your service to our country and your continued advocacy for those who’ve worn the uniform.
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HB 2753 – Funding for Emergency Preparedness Equipment (Lewis Sponsor)
The bill is scheduled for a work session this week. The measure authorizes the issuance of general obligation bonds under Article XI-Q of the Oregon Constitution for the emergency preparedness equipment grant program (SPIRES). I look forward to voting “yes” and moving it out of committee in advance of the chamber deadline.
You can view agendas, watch a replay of the committee hearings, and access meeting materials on OLIS here.
Lastly, as Vice-Chair of this committee, I want to say what a privilege it is to serve with two of my dedicated and talented caucus members, Rep. Alek Skarlatos (R-Winston/Canyonville) and Rep. Court Boice (R-Gold Beach) pictured below. The collaboration, insight, and commitment they bring to this work is appreciated. Thanks team!
The House Judiciary Committee has been engaged in reviewing and conducting public hearings on various measures and actively scheduling work sessions to move measures in advance of the first chamber deadline. To date, 301 bills have been assigned. We have held 42 meetings and moved 33 bills out of committee. A list of the bills moved to date include:
HB 2183
Directs the Department of Public Safety Standards and Training to adopt rules providing that, if an applicant for certification as a private security professional is or was certified as a police officer, a refresher course and examination satisfies the training requirements for certification.
HB 2233
Directs the Oregon Criminal Justice Commission to establish a program to provide legal services to assist adults in custody who are serving sentences at the Coffee Creek Correctional Facility.
HB 2456 A
Modifies provisions relating to the Sexual Assault Victims' Emergency Medical Response Fund.
HB 2460 A
Updates, reorganizes, and modifies the provisions governing appeals from justice courts that have not become courts of record.
HB 2461
Changes notice requirements and requirements related to facilities and technology for motions to allow remote location testimony.
HB 2463
Clarifies that the total amount or value of a claim required to request a jury trial in small claims court includes identified prejudgment or preaward interest, fees and costs.
HB 2464
Makes nonsubstantive and technical changes in Oregon law.
HB 2465 A
Provides that the unlawful departure of a person from the custody of a parole and probation officer constitutes the crime of escape.
HB 2471 A
Modifies when a person is guilty except for insanity.
HB 2555
Changes the name of the Family Sentencing Alternative Pilot Program to the Family Sentencing Alternative Program.
HB 2613 A
Prescribes the factors that the court must consider when determining whether a child is in immediate danger for the purpose of granting a request for a temporary order providing for the custody of, or parenting time with, the child.
HB 2668
Requires certain private persons, before engaging in search and rescue efforts, to make specified disclosures to the family of the missing person and to notify county sheriffs.
HB 2747 A
Requires the Department of Corrections to provide adults in custody at certain department institutions access to specific online educational programs.
HB 2804 A
Repeals provisions related to the juvenile panel of the Psychiatric Security Review Board.
HB 2807
Provides that the Psychiatric Security Review Board is immune from liability for the performance of certain functions of the board.
HB 2812
Exempts individually identifiable health information in the possession of the Psychiatric Security Review Board from disclosure under public records laws and allows for disclosure in certain circumstances.
HB 2819 A
Authorizes the State Forester or a person authorized by the State Forester to issue citations if there are reasonable grounds to believe violations have occurred.
HB 2915
Allows disclosure without authorization of written accounts containing individually identifiable health information to the Psychiatric Security Review Board for an individual who is under the jurisdiction of the board and conditionally released to the Department of Corrections.
HB 2916
Modifies the qualifications of the fire instructor representative member of the Fire Policy Committee of the Board on Public Safety Standards and Training.
HB 2926
Allows the Department of Public Safety Standards and Training to proceed with an investigation of, or action to deny the application for training or deny the certification of, a public safety officer or instructor notwithstanding a subsequent change in the employment status of the officer or instructor.
HB 2933 A
Approves modifications to the rules of the Oregon Criminal Justice Commission related to the sentencing guidelines.
HB 2935
Directs the Oregon Criminal Justice Commission to study pretrial release and include certain data in the study.
HB 3066
Appropriates moneys from the General Fund to the Department of Corrections for purpose of funding the advanced esthetics program at the Coffee Creek Correctional Facility.
HB 3069
Requires the Department of Public Safety Standards and Training to study public safety.
HB 3070
Appropriates moneys to the Department of Justice to fund the management of the Oregon SAE/SANE Certification Commission by the Attorney General's Sexual Assault Task Force.
HB 3118
Requires the Department of Corrections to enter into a contract with a third party to provide communications services at no cost to persons confined at a Department of Corrections institution.
HB 3174 A
Increases the fee paid for alcohol and drug screening specialists.
HB 3180
Appropriates moneys to the Judicial Department for the Washington County Courthouse Replacement Planning Project.
HB 3195 A
Modifies eligibility requirements for distributions from the Children's Advocacy Center One-Time Grant Fund. (Lewis Sponsor)
HB 3196 A
Appropriates moneys to the Department of Justice for purposes related to federal Victims of Crime Act grants. (Lewis Sponsor)
HB 3198 A
Directs the Oregon Health Authority to dedicate staff in the office of the authority that is responsible for tribal affairs to lead the work of addressing the issue of missing and murdered indigenous people. (Lewis Sponsor)
HB 3239 A
Appropriates moneys to and limits expenditures by the Department of Human Services, the Oregon Health Authority, and the Department of State Police for implementation of programs related to criminal records checks, including the Rap Back program.
HB 3347 A
Directs the Department of Justice to disburse to certain obligees payments of support that have been assigned to the state beginning January 1, 2027.
This week, several bills in this committee are up for work sessions, including five of my chief-sponsored bills and one of my regular sponsored bills as follows:
HB 3929 - Peer Support (Work Session Scheduled)
Establishes a testimonial privilege for communications by certain public safety employees to a peer supporter.
 On March 25th, HB 3929 received a public hearing where I shared with the committee that I have spent 40 years in the law enforcement profession, more than 28 of those years as a chief of police. Over those many years, I had the occasion to work with some of the finest people I’ve ever known. Many gave all to the profession, suffered through trauma associated with the job and relived events that transformed themselves into nightmares. Many I’ve known managed to get through a 25+ year career and retire to start a new life after police work. Many others fell by the wayside – not in death, but in lives shattered. Some suffered severe trauma by things they saw that most people never have to see, but only read about in the news. Many lost their families because they were unable to cope. Back in the day, the common saying was suck it up and get over it. Officers were expected to just deal with it and there was no one to turn to.
Thankfully that isn’t the reality of today. Thankfully there is help to deal with the trauma of the job and help preserve family ties. HB 3929 is a crucial step toward providing that level of healing that is needed. It provides the confidentiality piece that is critical for dealing with trauma, whether on the job or in personal relationships, to allow healing. There are so many that I know personally who would have benefitted greatly from this bill. (Lewis - Chief Sponsor)
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HB 3093 - Arrestee DNA Sample
Requires DNA samples of people arrested for certain crimes. HB 3093 also had a public hearing on March 25th. I introduced the bill and shared the following story related to my work in law enforcement. Ashley Spence with the DNA Justice Project also testified and shared her personal story and the work she is doing to support survivors.
In 1977, I was a lieutenant in charge of a criminal investigation division for a Wyoming law enforcement agency. On a Sunday morning in December of that year, I was called to the scene of what would become the most horrendous of sexual assault cases I ever investigated where the victim survived. The victim of the brutal attack was a night clerk at a local hotel. The assailant in this case came to the front desk at some time around 3:00 a.m. and engaged the clerk in discussion. At one point he asked her if there was any coffee. When she went down the hall to a storage room to get water, he followed her and choked her from behind with a towel. She lost consciousness and when she came to, he was strangling her with a broom handle. The assault lasted for three hours or more during which time she was repeatedly sexually assaulted. After threatening repeatedly to kill her, he finally left her in the storage room. With the information she provided and the physical evidence present, I arrested her assailant a few hours later. He was charged with multiple felonies. A few months later, shortly before the trial was scheduled to start, the assailant escaped from the county jail, hopped a freight train, and was later captured in New Orleans, LA, where he was attempting to sexually assault a hotel night clerk, according to information received from the police there. He was subsequently extradited back to Wyoming where he was tried, convicted of multiple counts of sexual assault, and was sentenced to nearly 50 years in prison.
To this day, I can recall the details of this case. But what I remember most is the young woman who survived the attack. I can see her face still, nearly 50 years after the ordeal she experienced and what I remember most is her courage. It is no small thing to experience what she went through; the sexual assault, the unspeakable things that were done to her, the fear that she was going to die, the horror of his escape and the fear she experienced for her family and herself if he were to come after her. But the courage she demonstrated when reliving the details of the attack and testifying in detail in court what she experienced at the hands of what I truly believe was a serial rapist was nothing short of amazing.
Today, I have no doubt there were other victims before the night clerk in Wyoming and the victim in New Orleans. It haunts me knowing that there are others who never got justice. The survivor of this attack told me during the investigation that she had to make sure what he did to her can never happen to another. In 1977 we didn’t have DNA to work with. Cases couldn’t be connected through a DNA database like CODIS, the Combined DNA Index System.
HB 3093 was first introduced to the Oregon legislature by the late Senator Jackie Winters in 2011. It was redrafted and came before this committee as HB 2309 in the ’23 session. The bill proposed for consideration today is a redraft of those two previous bills with only a few modifications and it has served as a template for other states that have passed similar legislation since that time. In all, 31 states have now passed similar laws. Some states, such as California, collect samples on all felony arrests.
In summary, HB 3093 would require law enforcement agencies to take a DNA sample of a person arrested for a person felony, a sex crime or for residential burglary. It is a simple process and is non-intrusive. An arrested person may request a blood sample be taken in lieu of a buccal sample (or mouth swab). The sample would then be submitted from the jail to the Oregon State Police forensics division in accordance with rules established by the department. Test kits would be supplied by the State Police as they are now for other DNA testing purposes. Once processed, the DNA profile would be entered into the national data base called CODIS which is the Combined DNA Index System. Individual DNA profiles are not identified by a name or other personal identifiers. The profile is entered with a computer-generated specimen ID number that is only matched back to a name in a separate system if the DNA profile is matched to crime scene evidence. Profiles are only searched against the CODIS unsolved crimes, missing persons or unidentified human remains index. They are not shared with other databases and are not part of a criminal history record. The system is protected by the FBI’s state-of-the-art encryption and firewall technology. Procedures are included in the bill that allow a defendant who is acquitted or has a conviction reversed to request destruction of the sample, consistent with requirements under federal law.
In 2013, the US Supreme Court ruled that arrestee DNA collection is reasonable under the 4th Amendment as a legitimate booking procedure similar to fingerprinting and photographing an arrested person. DNA may not only help connect an individual to other crimes, but it can also exonerate the innocent.
Ashley Spence is a victim advocate and founder of the DNA Justice Project. At 19 years old, she was the victim of a brutal home invasion rape that nearly took her life. The perpetrator was eventually caught through DNA testing. Ashley took this experience and turned it into the fuel that drives her passion to support legislation across the country that maximizes the use of DNA to prevent crimes, exonerate the innocent, and provide justice for survivors.
HB 3093 received a work session on April 7th and was passed out of committee to Ways & Means yesterday. (Lewis – Chief Sponsor)
(Watch a replay of our testimony here.)
(Watch a replay of my additional comments during the bills' work session here.)
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HB 3948 - Drone Restricted Airspace ( Work Session Scheduled)
Increases the penalty for operating an unmanned aircraft system over a critical infrastructure facility that is a correctional facility or youth correction facility.
I introduced this bill after learning that the institutions operated by the Oregon Department of Corrections and the Oregon Youth Authority are experiencing a high-level of contraband being introduced into the institutions by the use of drones. There are currently no restrictions on drones being used to invade the air space within the institution boundaries. The bill prohibits the use of drones within the airspace above all correctional facilities operated by the Department of Corrections and the Oregon Youth Authority to house incarcerated individuals. There is an exception in the prohibition for duly authorized law enforcement and corrections agencies who may operate a drone in the performance of their duties. The bill creates the crime of operating a drone in these restricted air spaces at the C Felony. The bill received a public hearing yesterday and is up for a work session later this afternoon. (Lewis - Chief Sponsor)
(Watch a replay of the testimony here.)
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HB 2175 Pill Press (Work Session Scheduled)
Oregon law does not currently regulate drug encapsulating, tableting or counterfeiting equipment used for the purpose of manufacturing a controlled substance or a counterfeit controlled substance.
Law enforcement agencies in Oregon have been actively discovering and seizing illegal pill presses used in the production of counterfeit pills containing fentanyl. These operations are primarily concentrated in the Portland metropolitan area.
In July 2023, the Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office conducted a significant operation in Portland’s Goose Hollow neighborhood, resulting in the largest illegal fentanyl seizure in the agency’s history. Deputies arrested an individual and, upon searching his vehicle and apartment, discovered approximately 58,000 fentanyl pills, 16 pounds of fentanyl powder, a manual-operated pill press, and a commercial-grade pill press. The seized fentanyl had an estimated street value between $320,000 and $400,000. (Investigation Leads to Largest Illegal Fentanyl Seizure in Multnomah County Sheriff’s Dept. History.)
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Earlier, in October 2022, federal charges were brought against two men from the Portland area for operating a drug trafficking organization responsible for manufacturing and distributing hundreds of thousands of counterfeit oxycodone pills containing fentanyl. The investigation revealed that one of the individuals produced the pills in a makeshift laboratory inside a storage unit in Vancouver, Washington, utilizing a pill press. (Two Portland Area Men Face Federal Charges for Making and Distributing Hundreds of Thousands of Fentanyl Pills.)
The presence of illegal pill presses in Oregon is primarily driven by the lucrative market for counterfeit pills laced with fentanyl. These counterfeit pills are designed to resemble legitimate prescription medications, making them particularly dangerous as users may be unaware of their true contents. The high potency and low production cost of fentanyl make it an attractive option for illicit manufacturers aiming to maximize profits, despite the significant risks to public health and safety.
HB 2175 creates the crime of possessing, purchasing, making, delivering, or selling a pill press or similar equipment. Punishes by a maximum of five years' imprisonment, a $125,000 fine, or both. The bill targets the use of tools in the illicit production of drugs. It seeks to disrupt the supply chain of the production of those dangerous substances to enhance public safety in response to Oregon’s addiction crisis. The bill received a public hearing on April 7th and a possible work session is scheduled for later this afternoon. (Lewis - Chief Sponsor)
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HB 3097 - Aggravated Attempt to Elude (Work Session Scheduled)
Increases sentencing guidelines for felony attempting to elude a police officer. I am the bill’s Chief-Sponsor and introduced it on behalf of the Oregon District Attorneys Association. On February 24th, I testified in support of the measure that will enhance public safety and bring accountability to those who engage in this extremely dangerous behavior. Fleeing or attempting to elude a police officer not only puts the suspect and officer at risk but everyone on the road. Current Oregon law does not include a penalty enhancement for when behavior includes aggravating circumstances, like having a child in the car or if the fleeing results in physical injury to another person.
The measure proposes common sense sentence enhancement to create a deterrence for persons who habitually elude police officers, often driving reckless at high speeds and while impaired. Eluding a police officer while in a motor vehicle is a significant risk to the safety of persons and property in our communities.
The bill had a second public hearing on March 31st. You can watch of replay of the hearings for 2-24-25 here and 3-31-25 here. (Lewis - Chief Sponsor)
The work of this committee underscores its dedication to addressing a diverse array of topics related to Oregon’s public safety systems and the Judicial branch program areas.
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Next, Senate bills will be making their way over to the House side and we will begin working those bills assigned to this committee soon.
You can view agendas, watch a replay of the committee hearings, and access meeting materials on OLIS here.
HB 2299 - Unlawful Dissemination of Intimate Images (Work Session Scheduled)
I am a regular sponsor of this measure that was heard last week. The bill, if passed, will increase the penalty for unlawful dissemination of an intimate image and renames the crime. This measure explicitly includes “deep fake” images; that is, images or videos of a person where their face or body is digitally altered so they appear to be someone else or engaging in behavior that did not occur. I look forward to casting an ”aye” vote in support of this measure. (Lewis - Regular Sponsor)
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Over the past several weeks the public safety subcommittee has continued to hear budget presentations from the following agencies:
HB 5029 Department of State Police
HB 5004 Department of Corrections
HB 5031 Public Defense Commission
HB 5041 Oregon Youth Authority
HB 5533 Oregon Military Department
HB 5005 Criminal Justice Commission
In the days ahead, we look forward to hearing from the Oregon Department of Emergency Management, the Oregon Department of Justice, and holding an informational meeting to hear from DAS-Office of Economic Analysis their forecasts for Corrections, Oregon Youth Authority, and Public Defense.
After the agency budget presentations are completed, we will dive into a more detailed review of their budgets to get any questions we have answered and to have all the information we will need to make budgetary recommendations to the full Ways and Means committee.
SB 907 - Licensing for Manufacture of Psilocybin and Marijuana I am a Co-Chief-Sponsor of SB 907. The bill had a public hearing before the Senate Committee On Labor and Business last week where I shared the following testimony:
Since the legalization of marijuana in Oregon, Law enforcement agencies have seen a significant increase in cartel involvement in the industry, as well as other illegal operations- many of which involve human trafficking. Law-enforcement expected this to happen when legalization occurred and in fact, I testified in the legislature as the police chief at that time about the concern.
We heard testimony in the House Judiciary Committee recently about the inability to ascertain whether or not absentee property owners were aware that their property was being utilized for illegal drug activity. It is likely the same thing is happening with the manufacture of psilocybin. While there are currently some provisions in place that relate to this bill, those provisions aren't working as well as anticipated or law-enforcement wouldn't be dealing with the volume of illegal activity that they're reporting.
The purpose of this bill is to strengthen the requirements for both the manufacturers of psilocybin and for marijuana operations in an effort to identify those that are operating illegally in our state. The bill also holds property owners accountable by requiring them to acknowledge that they know what is occurring on their property – and we know we have a number of absentee property owners that may not know that at the present time. The hope is that the information will be shared with law enforcement authorities in a more transparent manner that will enable them to separate the legal operations from the illegal ones, shut down illegal operations, and reduce the amount of human trafficking in our state.
HB 3817 - OHA/ODVA Collaboration to Study Process for Ibogaine Use (Work Session Scheduled)
The measure directs the Oregon Health Authority in collaboration with the Department of Veterans' Affairs to establish a process through which a certain individual may consume ibogaine for a specified purpose. Research from Stanford Medicine has shown that ibogaine, a natural psychoactive substance, can effectively address traumatic brain injuries in special operations military veterans. The findings indicate that ibogaine can lead to significant improvements in PTSD, depression, anxiety, and overall functioning for those affected.
HB 3944 – Repeals Wildfire Hazard Map (Work Session Scheduled)
Repeals provisions related to building code standards for wildfire hazard mitigation, defensible space requirements, fire protection for lands outside forest protection districts and the wildfire hazard map.
The bill is up for a public hearing and possible work session this week in the House Committee On Climate, Energy, and Environment. It is sought to restore fairness for thousands of homeowners and bring assurance to property owners across the state who fear spikes in insurance costs or cancellations that can be tied to being labeled high-risk under the map. The repeal would also allow a more locally driven approach, giving communities and homeowners greater control over land use decisions without a one-size-fits-all statewide mandate. (Lewis Sponsor)
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A warm welcome to representatives from Oregon School Employees Association (OSEA), North Marion Chapter 116. Thank you for sharing OSEA’s legislative priorities and your experiences as classified workers.
Thank you to the Oregon Small Woodlands Association for taking the time to visit with me and share the issues of importance to small woodland owners this session.
Thank you to participants with the Family Preservation Project for visiting with me to honor the National Day of Empathy .
It was a nice surprise to visit with Todd and Max, hops growers from St. Paul during Brewers Guild day at the Capitol. We appreciate your contribution to our agriculture community in House District 18. I look forward to seeing you again!
Thank you to Cliff, a constituent from Molalla, and Kim and Helen with the Washington County GOP for visiting.
I appreciate you taking the time to share your stories and your advocacy and commitment to holding drug dealers accountable for the tragic consequences of their actions. Your advocacy for prosecuting those responsible for overdose deaths is a vital step in seeking justice for victims and their families, as well as in deterring the distribution of dangerous substances in our communities.
Your dedication to this cause not only honors those we love and have lost but also helps protect countless others from suffering similar fates. Your efforts bring attention to the devastating impact of illicit drugs and reinforce the need for strong legal measures to combat this crisis.
Thank you to advocates from the Center for Hope and Safety for taking the time to meet with me as we recognize Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Your dedication to supporting survivors and raising awareness is truly inspiring. I appreciate all that you do to make our community safer and stronger.
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After years of advocacy from the Monitor community and collaboration with Region 2 of the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT), I am pleased to report the installation of a 4-way stop at the intersection of Meridian Road and State Highway 211.
Community leader Jay Augustus has been instrumental in rallying local residents, hosting numerous meetings, and bringing together key stakeholders to address safety concerns at this dangerous intersection. A pivotal community meeting last spring resulted in commitments from multiple agencies, ultimately leading to the completion of this long-awaited traffic safety improvement.
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I am grateful to the Monitor community for raising awareness and initiating this effort, as well as to the Clackamas County Sheriff’s Office, Clackamas County Road Department, Oregon State Police, and ODOT for their collaboration in resolving this critical safety issue. The new 4-way stop will undoubtedly enhance safety and help save lives.
A special thank you goes to ODOT for completing the project ahead of the 2025 Wooden Shoe Tulip Festival, a time when the intersection traditionally experiences increased traffic
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I was honored to join community members, local law enforcement, family, and friends at a heartfelt bench dedication ceremony in honor of former Marion County Sheriff Jason Myers, who died in October of cancer at age 56.
The commemorative bench was placed on the patio courtyard at the Department of Public Safety Standards and Training. It is a fitting recognition to Jason's service to the community and his lasting impact on Oregon law enforcement. The contributions and the respect he earned throughout his service will never be forgotten. His life inspired so many and his legacy will continue to inspire future generations of law enforcement professionals.
On March 28th the Oregon Department of Veterans Affairs (ODVA) hosted their Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day ceremony at the Oregon State Library. I was pleased to attend to honor the service and sacrifices of Vietnam War veterans and provide them with the recognition they deserve. The ceremony included speeches from ODVA Director Daniels, distinguished guest, state officials, and veteran representatives. This annual event serves as a poignant reminder of the enduring respect and appreciation for Oregon’s Vietnam veterans. As a Vietnam era veteran myself, it was my great honor to meet with our veterans afterward and personally thank them for their service.
The federal REAL ID deadline is just a month away. A REAL ID is a state-issued driver’s license, instruction permit or ID card that meets federal security requirements set by the REAL ID Act of 2005.
Starting May 7, anyone 18 years and older must present a REAL ID or an acceptable alternative – like a passport, passport card or military ID – to board a flight within the U.S. or access certain federal facilities.
As the deadline comes closer, we are seeing greater demand and longer lines at our DMV offices. If you plan on flying within the U.S. anytime in the future and you don't have a passport or other acceptable ID, consider upgrading to the REAL ID option. It takes about three weeks to get your REAL ID card in the mail, so build that into your timeline before booking any flights.
While DMV offers many services online, you must get a REAL ID at a DMV office. You can make an appointment online or visit a DMV office near you without an appointment. You need to bring original documents that prove your identity, date of birth, home address (two different documents) and lawful status in the U.S. DMV offers a document guide to help you determine what to bring. You also have to provide your Social Security number or proof you are not eligible for one. Your current legal name must be on file with the Social Security Administration.
The REAL ID option costs an additional $30 above regular issuance fees every time you apply for an original, renewal or replacement driver’s license, permit or ID card. Learn more about REAL ID at Oregon.gov/REALID.
Capitol Phone: 503-986-1418
Capitol Address: 900 Court St. NE, H-385, Salem, Oregon 97301
Email: Rep.RickLewis@oregonlegislature.gov
Website: http://www.oregonlegislature.gov/lewis
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