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To contact me, please click here: Rep.MarkOwens@oregonlegislature.gov
A Note of Gratitude and What Comes Next
Friends and Neighbors,
As the 2025 Legislative Session officially wrapped up around 11:15 PM on Friday, June 27, I want to thank each and every one of you for sticking with me through it. Your emails, phone calls, testimony, and engagement made a real impact—especially during some of the toughest debates this year.
We saw wins, losses, and a few missed opportunities. I’m sharing my latest video update recorded just after sine die to give a candid look at where things landed—and where we go from here. In this newsletter, I’ll also go into more detail on key issues including the failure of the transportation package and the impacts we’re already seeing on rural ODOT operations, a breakdown of SB 243 and why I chose to stay and fight rather than walk out, and some of the major wins we secured for rural Oregon this session.
From expanded support for families and flood recovery funding to fire protection, wolf compensation, and stopping excessive water fees, there were real victories worth celebrating.
With the session behind us, I’m looking forward to spending some much-needed time this summer as a husband, father, and farmer. But my work for House District 60 continues, I’ll be traveling throughout the district, attending local events and county fairs, and staying connected with the communities I serve. If you see me out and about, please say hello.
If there’s anything my office can help with, whether it's navigating state services, following up on legislation, or sharing your ideas, please reach out.
Enjoy the summer, stay safe, and thank you again for the honor of serving you.
Be safe,
 
 🚗 Transportation Update: ODOT Layoffs and Gas Tax Debate
In the final days of session, negotiations over a major transportation funding package fell apart. I believe there was a path forward to fully fund ODOT while still protecting our rural communities, but further discussion is needed to accomplish this task.
One version of the package, House Bill 3402, included a proposed 3-cent gas tax increase—but left out the essential 50/30/20 split that ensures counties receive 30% and cities 20% of gas tax revenues. That’s a deal-breaker for rural Oregon.
Since session ended, we’ve already seen the consequences: ODOT has announced layoffs beginning July 31 and the closure of several district offices—including some in House District 60. These are real jobs, held by real Oregonians, and I want to extend my support to those impacted. If you're in the district and need help navigating unemployment or other state services, please reach out.
🛡️ Second Amendment: Why I Stayed to Fight SB 243
This session, SB 243 was the one bill that passed limiting Second Amendment rights. I voted no—and spoke against it on the House floor. You can watch my full remarks.
I’ve heard some ask: why didn’t you walk out? The truth is, walking out wouldn’t have stopped this bill. There are gun bills introduced every session and they would just be reintroduced in a special session. We need to be present, show up, and fight these fights head-on—because if we’re not in the room, our voices don’t count.
🔥Rangeland Fire Protection: Support for Those on the Front Lines
One of my top priorities this session was House Bill 3349, which establishes the Rangeland Protection Association Fund. These volunteer crews, made up of ranchers, farmers, teachers, and neighbors, are often the first on the line when wildfire strikes. They know the land, they know the roads, and they get to work while waiting for state or federal response teams to arrive.
This bill ensures they have the tools and resources they need to keep our communities safe. We secured $1 million in funding to help support RFPAs, and I’m proud of what this means for our region. I want to thank the RFPA members from across the state that worked diligently with me on this bill, traveling to Salem, providing testimony, and meeting with other legislators to tell their story. My comments from the House Floor and why this is important to my community.
📌 Other Successes Worth Celebrating
Even with the challenges this session brought, we saw important wins that make a difference for rural Oregon:
🌱 HB 3372 -Supporting Small Growers and Local Communities
Domestic exempt well users can now water up to ½ acre to grow produce or flowers for sale at farmers markets and local community hubs, helping small operations thrive and expanding access to fresh, local goods.
📄 HB 3127- Faster Death Certificate Processing
This bill will expedite the waiting times for families to receive a death certificate after a loved one passes, asking the doctors to use OVERS (Oregon Vital Events Registration System). It survived last-minute delays and a special conference committee designed to push back implementation to July 2027. I fought to make sure it moved forward with an implementation date of January 2026.
🐺 SB 777 - Wolf Compensation for Ranchers
This is a long-overdue step to support ranchers and others impacted by predation in rural Oregon. Thanks to Senator Todd Nash and Rep. Bobby Levy for helping get this across the finish line.
🔥 HB 2332 - Air Curtain Burners
Clarifies that air curtain incinerators do not need a Title V permit from DEQ. That exemption helps our communities manage waste safely and efficiently without additional fees and steps.
🚜 HB 3141 – Oregon Farmer & Rancher Day
I was proud to support this bill designating the third Tuesday in March as Oregon Farmer & Rancher Day. It’s a simple but meaningful way to honor the hardworking men and women who grow our food, steward our land, and hold up the backbone of our rural economy. As a farmer myself, I know firsthand the long hours and deep commitment it takes—and I look forward to seeing this day used to celebrate everything Oregon agriculture stands for.
💧 Flood Recovery Funding – Harney County
Harney County secured critical disaster relief funding following this year’s severe flooding. We worked hard to ensure these dollars made it into the final budget.
💵 HB 2803 – Water Fee Increases Reduced
This bill began as a 135% fee increase proposed by the Oregon Water Resources Department. We were able to negotiate that down to 50%. It’s not perfect, but it’s far more manageable for water users in our district.
🏛️ SCR 33 Honoring Commissioner Susan Roberts:
I was proud to speak on the House floor in support of this bill. Her decades of service and unwavering advocacy for Eastern Oregon deserve every bit of this recognition.
🚰 Water Well Abandonment, Repair and Replacement Fund:
We secured an additional $1 million in funding for this essential OWRD program, which helps residents in rural areas repair or replace failing wells—a major issue in House District 60.
🔥 SB 83 Repeal of the Wildfire Maps:
The controversial wildfire risk maps that caused confusion and property value concerns have been officially repealed. This is a welcome and necessary step for landowners and communities across rural Oregon.
🌾 HCR 12 - Celebrating Oregon Wheat:
February 11, 2026, will now be recognized as Oregon Wheat Day, honoring 100 years of the Oregon Wheat Growers League and the importance of wheat as one of our state’s most vital commodities
⚠️Some Disappointments
Not every good idea made it across the finish line. Several bills I introduced this session were commonsense solutions to real problems—and though they didn’t pass, I’ll keep fighting for them.
💻 HB 3104 – Virtual Rural Resource Center
This bill would have created a virtual center to assist rural counties and cities with limited staff capacity—offering help with grant writing, project management, and other professional services. It would’ve supported our smaller communities without duplicating existing EODD efforts.
🌲 HB 3103 – Predictable Timber Harvest Levels
This proposal aimed to bring more stability to rural Oregon by requiring the Oregon Department of Forestry to set 10-year harvest projections for state forests—giving counties better tools to plan and budget around timber revenue.
📵 HB 2330 – Elder Scam Prevention Task Force
Scams targeting seniors are a growing concern. This bill would have created a task force to look at deceptive practices like phone scams. After the hearing, groups like AARP and local credit unions expressed strong support—but unfortunately, it stalled out before moving forward.
🧬 HB 3192 – Expanding Newborn Screenings
This bill would have strengthened Oregon’s newborn screening program to include rare diseases like Duchenne muscular dystrophy. I introduced this after hearing from Amanda Bain, a constituent in House District 60, who shared her family's experience. No family should have to wait for answers—or lifesaving care.
 🎡Celebrate Summer at Your Local County Fair!
Summer in House District 60 means one thing: county fair season! From 4-H and FFA exhibits to rodeos, livestock shows, parades, and fried everything—you can’t beat the tradition, fun, and community pride on display at our local fairs.
Here’s the 2025 County Fair Schedule in House District 60:
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Grant County Fair & Rodeo
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  FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
GEODC Unveils New Website and Bold Brand Redesign
PENDLETON, OR — 7/7/2025 — The Greater Eastern Oregon Development Corporation (GEODC), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to economic advancement, is proud to announce the launch of its newly redesigned website and refreshed brand identity.
Serving the diverse communities of Gilliam, Grant, Harney, Malheur, Morrow, Umatilla, and Wheeler counties—as well as 36 incorporated cities, the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation, and the Burns Paiute Tribe—GEODC plays a vital role in driving job creation, business growth, and community prosperity across Eastern Oregon.
The updated website features a more intuitive, user-friendly interface designed to better connect local businesses and governments with essential resources. Key offerings include:
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Flexible lending programs for land, equipment, and working capital
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Grant writing and technical assistance to help secure state and federal funding
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Leadership of the region’s Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS), a roadmap for sustainable and inclusive economic growth
Alongside the website, GEODC has also introduced a bold new logo and visual identity that reflect its ongoing commitment to collaboration, innovation, and resilience throughout the rural and tribal communities it serves.
To explore the new website and learn more about GEODC’s programs and impact, visit www.geodc.net.
Updated: July 2, 2025 4:40pm
PORTLAND, Ore., July 1, 2025 — 211info, the private nonprofit that manages the 211 system for Oregon and Southwest Washington, announced today that it will reduce its core phone service hours after July 4, 2025. Regular phone hours will shift from 24/7 operations, to Monday through Friday, 8 AM to 6 PM, due to funding reductions.
“We know this change may create additional barriers for people seeking help,” said Dan Herman, CEO of 211info. “This is not the level of service our community deserves, and we believe everyone should have easy, reliable access to critical resources. Unfortunately, reduced funding means we are unable to maintain 24/7 phone service at this time.”
211info remains fully functional during its new core operating hours, providing information and referral services for housing, food, child care, health care, utility assistance, and other essential needs. In addition, community members can text their zip code to 898211 or email help@211info.org, and 211info will follow up during open hours. A searchable online database is available at 211info.org. Even though our core operating hours have changed, hours for special programs remain the same.
During major emergency incidents, such as extreme weather, wildfires, or public health crises, 211info may expand operations beyond core hours at the request of state or local officials. When extended hours are implemented, 211info will provide updates on its website and social media.
In 2024, 211info received 522,877 total requests for help, including 255,505 phone calls. Roughly 37% of those calls came in after 6 PM and on weekends.
For more information, view the Reduced Phone Service Hours FAQs.
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Resharing from Leslie Thompson, Publisher and Managing Editor, Argus Observer
Water safety matters, take it from me
About 15 years ago, I watched in horror as my grandfather nearly drowned.
While we were on an outing at a reservoir and my husband and young cousin were swimming in the water, my grandfather rolled off the other side of boat because he decided he wanted to go for a swim, too. But, he was dressed head to toe in his overalls and shoes. I watched the playful smile on his face quickly change to a worried frown as he realized he was too weighed down from his clothes and quickly the distance grew between grandpa and his drifting motor boat.
Every throwable flotation device within my reach was blown too hard by the wind to reach him and I couldn’t leave my son, the only one in a life preserver, alone on the boat. My cousin made it back to the boat as my husband swam out to my grandpa, only to be pushed away. My grandpa was struggling to keep his head above water and didn’t want to take my husband with him. Exhausted, my husband swam back through choppy water to the boat, climbed aboard, started the engine and headed right to my grandpa who had just resurfaced his face about 100 yards away now for what was likely to be his last breath of air. We reached him and pulled him aboard.
Thanks to my husband’s quick and heroic actions, nobody died that day. But it was too close. That’s why I no longer get on boats unless everyone has a life jacket and I know how to operate it. And, honestly, ever since, I haven’t gotten back on a boat.
As the days get warmer and more and more people are taking to the water to recreate, I find myself recounting the story as my warning cry for water safety.
But, don’t just take it from me.
Here are some interesting statistics from U.S. Army Corps of Engineers about drownings at its lake and river projects from 1998 to 2024.
Before you dive into the water, dive into these:
— Until next time, Leslie Thompson Publisher and Managing Editor, Argus Observer
Oregon Industrial Symbiosis Study Tour
Business Oregon invites Oregon companies to participate in a public-private collaborative tour to explore cost effective means for improving sustainability and business performance, while reducing resource waste and converting waste into value streams. The Center for Sustainable Infrastructure (CSI) will award up to fourteen (14) scholarships to support Oregon private businesses to participate in an Industrial Symbiosis Study Tour of Denmark, that will take place September 21-27, 2025. Scholarships are $5,000 (for businesses with fewer than 100 employees) or $3,000 (for businesses with 100 to 250 employees).
Background: The Study Tour, organized by the Northwest nonprofit Center for Sustainable Infrastructure, centers on Industrial Symbiosis (IS), a ground-breaking approach to infrastructure and economic development, pioneered in Denmark, where one industry sector's wastes – energy, water, materials – become valuable resources for other businesses. The Oregon delegation will tour Danish projects, and consult with industry leaders and project developers, to learn how Danes are applying IS principals and best practices to benefit the economic value, competitiveness, and sustainability of industry. The Study Tour itinerary emphasizes projects and facilities from key sectors with great relevance to Oregon industry, such as wood products, biomass, biochar, food and beverage producers.
The study tour delegation will include at least 8 Oregon state legislators, balanced between Republicans and Democrats, along with up to 14 businesses that receive scholarships from CSI. The total Study Tour tuition cost for one participant is $5,800, not counting any scholarship funds awarded, covers lodging, meals, programming, and in-country transportation during the tour. If selected, participating businesses will be responsible for the remainder of the tuition ($800-$2,800), plus transportation costs to and from Denmark.
Please email Emma Titaley of the Center for Sustainable Infrastructure (CSI) with questions at: emma@centerforsi.org.
Application Deadline: July 15, 2025
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Industrial Symbiosis Study Tour Application 2025.pdf