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To contact me, please click here: Rep.EdDiehl@oregonlegislature.gov
Friends,
This is a long update! That's because there is a lot going on. These last few weeks have been a significant period in Salem. From advocating for fairness in water rights and infrastructure funding to pushing back against overreach in state policies, I'm working to ensure that the values and priorities of House District 17 are front and center.
Whether it’s standing up for rural families, supporting small farmers and towns, or promoting education and fairness, my commitment remains unwavering. It is an honor to represent your voices in these important discussions, and I will continue fighting for the rights and livelihoods of Oregonians.
House Bill 3654 will lower the matching grant requirement for small towns, allowing them to take advantage of more infrastructure grants. Thank you to the Small Municipality Advocacy Coalition (SMAC), the League of Oregon Cities, and all the small towns across Oregon that helped us get this bill across the floor. Now onto the Senate!
Senate Bill 1189 will unlock $50M in ARPA funds for Marion County's North Santiam Sewer Project. This bill resolves a state-federal law conflict, enabling critical infrastructure upgrades, moving residents off failing septic systems, protecting our environment, and supporting communities recovering from the 2020 wildfires. With its emergency clause, we're breaking ground soon!
I had the honor to carry this bill on the floor of the house. But the heavy lifting was done by Commissioner Cameron, Senator Girod, and Representative Cate to get the ARPA funds in the first place and then make this bill a reality.
This week, I cast a difficult vote on the House floor in support of House Bill 3372A—a bill that grants domestic well users the right to use their own water to grow crops for sale on up to a half-acre.
Many Oregonians will recall the 2024 uproar when rural families discovered that state law prohibited them from using domestic wells to raise crops for sale—even for something as simple as selling produce at a local farmers market. HB 3372A addresses that injustice. It adds a commonsense exemption to a short list of long-standing allowances for domestic wells.
Why was this vote so difficult? Because even as we take this small step forward, the broader trend in Salem is moving in the wrong direction. The legislature continues to impose stricter regulations, tighter water and labor restrictions, and more burdensome land-use mandates—all of which make it harder for family farms to survive.
This bill isn’t a complete solution, but my vote reflects the water rights and broader concerns of tens of thousands of rural Oregonians who deserve a fair chance to work their land and support their communities. That’s always my priority.
As Oregon enforces its water use requirements, small farmers face the consequences
The Oregon House and Senate Republicans signed a letter to Attorney General Pam Bondi, urging a review of the Oregon “Climate Protection Program” as directed by the President’s Executive Order.
Oregon’s “Climate Protection Program” was implemented by agency fiat. It directly flouts the President’s policies of abundant and affordable energy, revitalized manufacturing and family wage jobs, rejuvenated forests, and our shared commitment to lifting the burden of costly regulations from Oregon’s working families.
  
House Bill 3026 sparked significant debate in the Legislature. While my Democrat colleagues claim that revisions to the bill address previous concerns, the reality is that the changes are only superficial. The language may have been altered, but the intent of the program remains unchanged. At its core, this bill, like many others in Oregon's current legal framework, is discriminatory and unconstitutional.
During the recent debate on the House floor, I stood up to voice these concerns. I highlighted how this bill perpetuates policies that undermine equality and fairness, embedding systemic biases into state law under the guise of progress. Such policies set a dangerous precedent, putting our state's commitment to constitutionality and equal treatment under the law at risk.
Oregonians deserve legislation that upholds the principles of fairness and equality, not programs that prioritize ideology or special interests over constitutional rights. The intent behind HB 3026 undermines these fundamental values, and it is our responsibility as legislators to hold it to the highest standard of scrutiny.
I strongly urge my colleagues to send HB 3026 back. Let’s revisit this bill and work toward solutions that respect the rights and freedoms of every Oregonian, ensuring that all policies are rooted in fairness and constitutionality.
Watch my remarks on X:
Oregon’s education system is facing serious challenges. Recent assessments reveal that our students rank among the lowest in the nation in reading and math. In fact, 70% of eighth graders and 69% of fourth graders fall below reading proficiency standards, and our fourth graders rank third worst nationally in math. These statistics underscore the urgent need to refocus on the fundamentals of education: reading, writing, math, and critical thinking.
Last week, I took a stand on the House floor, delivering a remonstrance to highlight these issues. I voiced my strong concerns about the Democrat Majority's push to embed “climate resilience literacy” into every subject, potentially sidelining core academic priorities. While addressing climate awareness is important, intertwining complex ideological concepts into our educational framework risks further detracting from students' mastery of essential skills.
We need to teach kids HOW to think, not WHAT to think!
Watch my remonstrance on X:
On Tuesday, the Oregon Senate passed Senate Bill 83, which repeals the state’s wildfire hazard map and eliminates the regulations tied to it. This decision addresses concerns raised by rural communities about the map's accuracy and the financial strain of compliance. The wildfire hazard map, established under Senate Bill 762 in 2021, categorized properties based on fire risk, which led to increased costs and mandates for property owners in high-risk zones.
Senate Bill 83 mirrors House Bill 3944 and represents an effort to restore property rights and reduce regulatory burdens on rural Oregonians. It marks a shift toward addressing wildfire risks in a manner that balances safety with fairness.
The bill now moves to the House of Representatives for consideration. Its outcome could have a lasting impact on wildfire management policies and property owners across the state.
It is easy to testify, virtually, in person or in writing, to support or oppose a bill.
Learn more here: Citizen Engagement Home
Testifying on a bill gives you a voice in Oregon’s legislature. The voice of the people is the cornerstone of democracy! Let yours be heard today.
Register to testify!
- If there is a bill you are particularly passionate about, you can register to testify either in support or in opposition to the bill.
- Advance registration is required! Registration closes 30 minutes before the hearing is scheduled to begin.
- To register, go to https://olis.oregonlegislature.gov/liz/2025R1, select the “Bills” icon on the top right corner of your page, enter the bill number, and select “Register to Testify.” Or, call 1-833-588-4500.
- You will want to fill out the “Public Testimony Registration Form.”
- You will receive an email confirmation with an option to join Microsoft Teams if you can not testify in person.
Submit a Written Testimony!
- If you prefer not to testify in person, you can also submit written testimony in support or opposition to a bill.
- To submit written testimony, follow the same steps as you would to register to testify in front of the committee, but you will select “Submit Testimony” and fill out the “Written Testimony Submission Form.”
- Written testimony must be submitted up to 48 hours after the committee meeting start time.
Testifying on a bill gives you a voice in Oregon’s legislature. The voice of the people is the cornerstone of democracy! Let yours be heard today.
In Liberty,
 Representative Ed Diehl
House District 17
Capitol Phone: 503-986-1417
Capitol Address: 900 Court St. NE, H-378, Salem, Oregon 97301
Email: Rep.EdDiehl@oregonlegislature.gov
Website: https://www.oregonlegislature.gov/diehl
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