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

What the Legislature will consider on Aug. 29, and how rural voices can be heard

Dear Friends and Neighbors,

On Friday, August 29, the Legislature will convene for a special session to take up the Governor’s transportation funding proposal.

Ahead of the session, the Joint Interim Committee on Transportation Funding will hold a public hearing on Monday, August 25 at 3:00 p.m. in Hearing Room F at the Oregon State Capitol. The public may enter the building through the center State Street doors. You can sign up here to testify in person or online.

The Governor’s plan is intended to address ODOT’s budget shortfall and prevent layoffs and closures of 12 maintenance stations statewide. You can read the Special Session Transportation Framework Summary for details on the proposal and review the draft bill text, LC 02.

Key Provisions of the Proposal:

• Gas tax increases by 6 cents per gallon (from 40¢ to 46¢)

• Vehicle registration fees nearly double for most vehicles; higher surcharges for high-MPG and electric vehicles

• Title fee rises from $139 to $216

• Payroll tax doubles from 0.1% to 0.2% to fund transit districts

• Road Usage Charge (RUC) phased in starting 2027 for EVs and hybrids

• Diesel tax modernization & weight-mile simplification for trucking

• Governance changes: shifts ODOT Director appointment to the Governor, expands oversight committees, and adds audit/reporting requirements

While this proposal makes significant revenue changes, not all of the funding is directed toward ODOT’s core functions — maintaining our infrastructure and ensuring safe, adequate roads to drive on. That gives me concern, especially as the payroll tax is being doubled to fund transit while no other area sees such a large increase.

I am committed to working toward a bipartisan package that ensures we have the staffing and resources necessary to maintain safe, well-kept roads for all Oregonians.

I’ve also discussed ODOT’s challenges, along with what happened during the long session, in two recent radio interviews on Harney County Live and Coffee Time. I’ll continue to review the details of this plan and keep you updated as the special session approaches.

Be safe,

Forest Service Launches Public Comment Period for Blue Mountains Forest Plan

(Press Release)

Preliminary Draft Plan released with Notice of Intent to provide early opportunity for input

PENDLETON, Ore. August 5, 2025 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Forest Service is revising the Land Management Plans for the Malheur, Umatilla, and Wallowa-Whitman National Forests, collectively known as the Blue Mountains national forests.

Today, the Forest Service published a Notice of Intent (NOI) in the Federal Register announcing the start of a 60-day public comment period. The agency also released a Preliminary Draft Land Management Plan, a Preliminary Need to Change, a Draft Evaluation of Wilderness Characteristics, and a Preliminary List of Species of Conservation Concern – giving the public a first look at proposed updates and inviting early input to help shape the future of these forests.

“This early draft gives people something real to respond to—because we want their voices to help shape durable, locally relevant forest plans,” said Eric Watrud, Forest Supervisor for the Umatilla National Forest.” The revised Forest Plans will guide long-term management across 4.9 million acres of public lands.

The process will not include planning or implementation related to the Travel Management Rule and no new wilderness areas are being recommended.

The Forest Service is working closely with local governments, tribes, and partners through a collaborative, transparent planning process. This effort builds on feedback from past public involvement and recommendations from the Blues Intergovernmental Council, a coalition of local, state, federal, and Tribal leaders.

To learn more about the planning process and provide comments, visit the project page at https://www.fs.usda.gov/r06/umatilla/projects/64157.

Oregon State Parks: Upcoming Changes

This fall, OPRD will no longer waive parking fees at about twenty new parks. The daily parking rate is currently $10 for Oregonians and $12 for out-of-state visitors. Individuals who are camping in a state park, have an annual state parks parking permit or bike or walk to a park are not required to pay an additional fee. The list of parks that will now charge a parking fee is listed below.

Additionally, for stays beginning May 1, 2026, the department will increase overnight rates seasonally at our busiest parks and increase cabin and yurt prices year-round. More information about which parks, and the types of rate increases are listed below. (read more....)

Oregon Parks and Recreation Department Fee Increase Table

Grant Offering for Small Grant Program Team Contact

The Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board (OWEB) is now accepting online grant applications for Small Grant Team Contacts.

Program Overview
The Small Grant Team Contact grant offering provides up to $20,000 in grant funding for the administration of one Small Grant Team in each of the 28 OWEB Small Grant Areas around the state. This grant funding supports outreach efforts to engage new Small Grant Team members and potential applicants for program funding. Grant funding also supports facilitation of application review processes as Small Grant Teams accept, review, and recommend or deny funding of applications for Small Grant projects.

Additional information about the program, including program guidance and a recorded webinar, can be found on OWEB’s Small Grant Program webpage.

Applications are due by 5:00 pm on September 15, 2025

Applications must be submitted using OWEB's online grant application.

Eligible applicants for Small Grant Team Contact grants include not-for-profit organizations, Soil and Water Conservation Districts, Tribes, Watershed Councils, political subdivisions of the state that are not state agencies, schools, community colleges, Oregon state institutions of higher education, and independent not-for-profit institutions of higher education.

Staff Contact
If you have questions, please contact Theresa DeBardelaben, Small Grant Program Coordinator, at Theresa.M.DeBardelaben@oweb.oregon.gov or (971) 701-3175.

Please visit OWEB’s website for more information about this and other grant offerings. (read more...)

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