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To contact me, please click here: Rep.EmersonLevy@oregonlegislature.gov
Hi Friends,
I’m writing to you from my kitchen table, feeling grateful to be home with my family after a busy 2025 Legislative Session. I’m especially proud of the work we did to support victims, women, and children.
Below you will find a categorized list of the bills we passed, each with links to more information. I hope this is helpful and something you can turn back to if you have questions. We shared some budget highlights in a previous email, but if you missed them, you can still take a look here and here.
Most importantly, the Governor has called a Special Legislative Session for August 29, 2025 to revisit the Transportation Package. She has also directed ODOT to postpone the first round of agency layoffs by 45 days.
As soon as there is an agreed-upon bill, I will share the details. We are likely looking at a 6-cent gas tax increase, which would restore road maintenance operations and suspend the planned layoffs.
We have more updates below - the Silver Sparky Award was given to the Sisters-Camp Sherman Fire District Fire Corps, and I’ve included information on the new Paddle Permit for all non-motorized boats under 10 feet.
If you have questions, concerns, or need help with services or benefits, please don’t hesitate to reach out. We are here in the off season to help.
Warmly,
Silver Sparky Award
A little more than a week ago, Senator Broadman and I went to Sisters to surprise their volunteer fire unit with the Silver Sparky Award. The Sparky Awards have been given annually since 1977. The Golden Sparky recognizes a fire service member or fire agency and the Silver Sparky recognizes a civilian or a civilian agency.
This is the highest state fire service honor given by the Oregon State Fire Marshal.
Here’s some kind notes from the State Fire Marshal’s office:
Silver Sparky Award recipients from the Sisters-Camp Sherman Fire District Fire Corps consist of a team of nearly 50 dedicated volunteers who have served the communities of Sisters and Camp Sherman with extraordinary energy and care since 2015. The fire corps has set the standard for community risk reduction. Over the past year, they trained 171 people in lifesaving skills, completed 82 smoke alarm calls, conducted 170 wildland home assessments, and supported firefighters during emergencies. They’ve reached hundreds through safety events, school programs, and holiday efforts, building a stronger, safer community every step of the way.
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About that Paddle Permit (Attached Floats don’t Count)
A lot of you have reached out with questions about the new Paddle Permit: starting in 2026, there will be a $20 permit fee, per year, for all non-motorized boats under 10 feet (no, they aren’t going be sending out police to check). This includes kayaks, rafts, and stand-up paddleboards. You can find more information about how to get a permit here. The funds go towards preventing invasive quagga mussels from damaging our waterways and infrastructure. Before I was in the legislature, I hadn’t even heard of them—my first thought was maybe they’d be good with butter. Turns out, they’re not edible, just destructive. You can read more about them here.
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2025 Legislative Session Accomplishments
Affordability
Life is expensive, and we're working to change that. We've taken meaningful steps to lower the cost of living across Oregon. That includes saying no to costly new programs and tax proposals that don’t serve working families, and yes to smart, targeted policies that make everyday life more affordable.
⭐️ Key Affordability Wins
🏠Homelessness
In Deschutes County, many of the federal funding streams that have helped buoy our shelter system are running out. Additionally, the SNAP funds and money for food banks are also drying up. We invested $204 million in keeping our shelters opened during this challenging time, with at least 70 percent allocated to low-barrier shelters.
🏥Healthcare
We passed HB 2010 to help protect health coverage for 1.3 million Oregonians. With recent changes at the federal level, some people may lose coverage through the Oregon Health Plan. That’s why bills like HB 2010 are so important to keep Oregonians insured. We still have work to do, but we’re making real progress for Oregonians’ health and peace of mind.
⭐️ Key Healthcare Wins
⛑️Public Safety
Keeping Oregonians safe is a top priority. This session, we continued investing in our judicial system and passed key legislation to protect survivors of assault. These are important steps toward a safer Oregon for everyone.
⭐️ Key Public Safety Wins
📚Education
This year, we passed the largest State School Fund in Oregon history—$11.4 billion—to support our public schools. That investment was paired with major accountability reform through Senate Bill 141, which updates how we track progress and hold systems responsible for student outcomes.
⭐️Key Education Wins
🌲Natural Resources and 🔥 Wildfire Protection
For the first time, Oregon has established an ongoing funding source for wildfire suppression and prevention. We also made meaningful progress on water policy and took steps to strengthen our energy transmission systems and grid reliability.
⭐️ Key Natural Resource Wins
Capitol Phone: 503-986-1453
Capitol Address: 900 Court St. NE, H-486, Salem, Oregon 97301
Email: Rep.EmersonLevy@oregonlegislature.gov
Website: https://www.oregonlegislature.gov/levye
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