Less Than 25 Days Left: Updates on Budget Talks and What’s Still at Stake

Oregon State Legislature sent this bulletin at 06/08/2025 06:00 AM PDT

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

A Lesson in Leadership—and Why It Matters This Week

Hello Friends and Neighbors,

With just over three weeks left in the 2025 long session, we’re in the thick of extended floor votes, marathon committee hearings, and last-minute negotiations. Some of the Legislature’s biggest responsibilities—like transportation funding and wildfire preparedness—are still unresolved. And in moments like these, leadership matters more than ever.

One issue I flagged in committee was the proposed cut to Outdoor School funding—a program that Oregonians overwhelmingly supported at the ballot box in 2016. Measure 99 set aside 4% of lottery funds to ensure every student has access to Outdoor School, regardless of where they live. When I asked about where those funds went, the answer I received didn’t reflect the intent of the voters—or the commitment we made to Oregon’s students.

I also had the honor of testifying on Senate Concurrent Resolution 33, recognizing Wallowa County Commissioner Susan Roberts for her service to our state. Susan has been a mentor and model of what strong leadership looks like and the valuable lessons she's taught me along the way: listen, show respect, but be bold. Those are values I’ve tried to carry with me here in Salem—and they matter deeply, especially in these final weeks of session.

More details below on wildfire funding, transportation proposals, and the bills I’ve helped move forward. As always, thank you for staying engaged. I hope our farmers are getting good weather for haying and time with their families this weekend.

Stay safe,

Senate Bill 1061:
The Forest to Homes Act

This week, I carried Senate Bill 1061—the Forest to Homes Act—on the House floor, where it passed with strong bipartisan support. This bill sets up a training and certification program through Oregon State University’s Extension Service to allow individuals to become certified lumber graders. That means small sawmill operators can now mill and grade their own lumber and sell it directly to homeowners or contractors building single-family homes or duplexes.

This is a game-changer for rural Oregon. SB 1061 removes red tape, restores local self-sufficiency, and supports small businesses while promoting sustainable forestry practices. It gives landowners and mill owners the tools they need to turn Oregon-grown timber into Oregon-built homes—helping address our housing shortage while revitalizing local economies. It’s a commonsense solution that puts rural communities back in the driver's seat. Watch my floor speech here.

Senate Bill 777:
Strengthening Support for Oregon Ranchers

The House passed Senate Bill 777, a much-needed update to Oregon’s Wolf Depredation Compensation Program. As someone who represents rural Oregon, I’ve heard firsthand from ranching families about the real financial and emotional toll of wolf activity. This bill is a step in the right direction—providing more accurate compensation and stronger support for nonlethal deterrence tools like fencing and range riders. I'm proud to support this bipartisan effort that better reflects the realities on the ground.

Protecting Fairness in School Sports:
Support for HB 2037

On Thursday, I supported House Bill 2037, which would ensure that school sports teams, locker rooms, and bathrooms in Oregon are designated based on biological sex. The bill aimed to protect fairness in competition and respect the privacy of young women across our state. As we marked Title IX Month—celebrating decades of progress for women in sports—this legislation was a chance to reaffirm that girls deserve a level playing field and a safe environment to compete.

Unfortunately, the bill failed along party lines. Dozens of young female athletes filled the gallery to share their stories and hopes that the Legislature would protect the integrity of women’s athletics. I share their disappointment and will continue to advocate for their right to compete safely and fairly. A recent poll found that 69% of Oregonians support this commonsense policy, and I believe it’s time for the Legislature to listen.

Transportation Package – Framework Details Announced, Hearings Scheduled for Next Week

Today, the framework for the state’s next transportation funding package was released in House Bill 2025.

The Joint Committee on Transportation and Reinvestment (JCTR) will schedule three hearings for next week, starting on Tuesday (June 10) and concluding Thursday evening. Each hearing will run from 5-7 p.m. and will have a specific focus or theme. Tuesday’s focus will be on the business community, or the users of the transportation system. Wednesday will cover rail and transit, while Thursday's focus will be on local government interests.

This week the House and Senate Republicans released a new transportation proposal: House Bill 3982 (LC 4934), a no-new-taxes transportation package that prioritizes core needs like road maintenance, snow plowing, and pothole repair—especially in rural communities. Instead of raising taxes on working families, this bill reins in wasteful spending, redirects funding from failed programs, and refocuses ODOT on the basics. It’s a responsible alternative to the current proposal, which proposes tax and fee increases across the board—including a gas tax hike and a new per-mile driven tax.

We can—and must—fix our roads without making life more expensive for Oregonians.HB 3982 shows it’s possible to stabilize ODOT and deliver better results by setting better priorities.

ICYMI: Joint Town Hall Replay

If you weren’t able to join us live, you can still catch the conversation. Senator Mike McLane, Representative Vikki Breese Iverson, and I shared updates from the Capitol and answered your questions during our recent Virtual Town Hall.
🎥 Watch the replay here.

Small Business Summit - Ontario

Treasure Valley Community College Small Business Development Center is pleased to announce an exciting new collaboration with the Oregon Department of Administrative Services and the Ontario Area Chamber of Commerce to host the Small Business Summit Ontario at our campus on Wednesday, June 18th from 8am to 1pm.

This event will feature keynote speakers, interactive workshops, and networking opportunities designed to support professional and community development. The Small Business Summit Ontario is open to business professionals, educators, students, and anyone interested in connecting with local leaders and resources.

Event Highlights:

Keynote Speakers- hear from leaders in public administration and business.
Professional Workshops: Engage in sessions focused on growth and collaboration.
Networking: Meet peers and community partners.
Resource Fair: access information from local agencies.

USDA to Provide $1 Billion to Livestock Producers Impacted by Drought or Wildfire in 2023 and 2024

(Washington, D.C., May 29, 2025) – U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins today announced the release of Congressionally mandated Emergency Livestock Relief Program (ELRP) payments to cover grazing losses due to eligible drought or wildfire events in 2023 and/or 2024. Secretary Rollins committed on May 7 to release these emergency payments by May 30, and today she is delivering on that commitment ahead of schedule.Read more...

Rulemaking Information for OAR 690, Division 512 –

Notice and Opportunity to Comment

Caption: Amending and adopting Division 512 rules concerning groundwater management in the Malheur Lake administrative basin.

Summary: The Oregon Water Resources Department (OWRD) is seeking public comments on proposed rule modifications to Oregon Administrative Rules (OAR) 690, Division 512, regarding groundwater management in the Malheur Lake administrative basin. These rule changes are needed to address long-term groundwater declines in the Harney Basin. You are receiving this email because you are one of the parties required to be notified, the Department has identified you as a potential interested party, or because you are on one of our notification listservs.

Public hearings are scheduled for June 23-26, August 4, and August 5, 2025, to allow members of the public to submit oral comments. More information is provided below. Pre-hearing information sessions are offered before the June 23- 26 public hearings.

The Department will accept written public comments on the rules through 5:00 PM on August 7, 2025.

Attachments: Attached is a copy of the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, including the Statement of Need and Fiscal Impact, as well as the proposed rules (new language underlined in bold, deleted language crossed out).

Website: The Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, including the Statement of Need and Fiscal Impact, as well as the proposed rules, is available on the Oregon Secretary of State website and the Division 512 rulemaking page.

How to Comment: You may comment on the proposed rules by sending written comments by 5:00 PM on August 7, 2025.

By Mail: Division 512 Rules Coordinator
Oregon Water Resources Department
725 Summer St. NE, Suite A
Salem, OR 97301-1271
By Email: WRD_DL_rule-coordinator@water.oregon.gov

Pre-hearing Information Sessions: No comments on the proposed rules will be accepted during these sessions. To provide public comment, please attend a public hearing or submit written comments to the address and email above. The pre-hearing information only sessions, June 23 - June 26, will take place in person, as described below.

The pre-hearing information only sessions will be recorded and available for viewing within 48 hours on the Division 512 rulemaking page.

Rulemaking Hearings: You may provide oral or written comments on the proposed rules at one of the rulemaking hearings below. The public hearings on June 23-26 and August 4 are in-person only. The August 5 public hearings are hybrid meetings.

Pre-hearing Information Sessions and Public Hearings (Dates, Times, Locations):

Date: Monday, June 23, 2025
Information Session: 5:30 - 6:30 p.m.
Public Hearing: 7:00 – 8:00 p.m.  
Location: The Pine Room, 543 W Monroe Street, Burns, OR 97720
Meeting type: In person

Date: Tuesday, June 24, 2025
Information Session: 10:00 – 11:00 a.m.
Public Hearing: 11:15 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.
Location: Crane Store and Cafe, Gas and RV Camping, 57466 OR-78, Crane, OR 97732
Meeting type: In person

Date: Tuesday, June 24, 2025
Information Session: 5:30 - 6:30 p.m.
Public Hearing: 7:00 – 8:00 p.m.
Location: Hotel Diamond, 49130 Main Street, Diamond, OR 97722
Meeting type: In person

Date: Wednesday, June 25, 2025
Information Session: 10:00 – 11:00 a.m.
Public Hearing: 11:15 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.
Location: Suntex Elementary School, 68178 Silver Creek Road, Riley, OR 97758
Meeting type: In person

Date: Wednesday, June 25, 2025
Information Session: 5:30-6:30 p.m.
Public Hearing: 7:00 – 8:00 p.m.
Location: Double O School, 66077 Double O Road, Hines, OR 97738
Meeting type: In person

Date: Thursday, June 26, 2025
Information Session: 5:30 - 6:30 p.m.
Public Hearing: 7:00 – 8:00 p.m.
Location: Seneca Elementary School, 101 Park Avenue, Seneca, OR 97873
Meeting type: In person

Date: Monday, August 4, 2025
Public Hearing: 5:00 PM – 6:30 PM
Location: Seneca Elementary School, 101 Park Avenue, Seneca, OR 97873
Meeting type: In person

Date: Tuesday, August 5, 2025
Public Hearing: 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Location: Harney County Community Center, 478 N. Broadway Avenue, Burns, OR 97720
Meeting type: Hybrid
Virtually (via Zoom): Hearing One Registration Link (Alternatively, please email WRD_DL_rule-coordinator@water.oregon.gov no later than noon (12:00 PM) on August 4, 2025, to receive the conference ID and passcode)

Date: Tuesday, August 5, 2025
Public Hearing: 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Location: Harney County Community Center, 478 N. Broadway Avenue, Burns, OR 97720
Meeting type: Hybrid
Virtually (via Zoom): Hearing Two Registration Link (Alternatively, please email WRD_DL_rule-coordinator@water.oregon.gov no later than noon (12:00 PM) on August 4, 2025, to receive the conference ID and passcode)

QUESTIONS: If you have questions, please contact WRD_DL_rule coordinator@water.oregon.gov or 971-718-7087.

Keep In Touch

Capitol Phone: 503-986-1460
Capitol Address: 900 Court St NE, H-475, Salem, OR 97301
Capitol Email: Rep.MarkOwens@oregonlegislature.gov
Capitol Website: http://www.oregonlegislature.gov/owens

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