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To contact me, please click here: Rep.MarkOwens@oregonlegislature.gov
Dear Friends and Neighbors,
This week marks the third full week of the short session, and we’ve reached another key deadline.
As of 5:00 p.m. Friday, second chamber policy committees must post work sessions for bills referred to them from the opposite chamber. In practical terms, this means bills that have already passed a policy committee, received a public hearing, advanced through a work session, and passed a floor vote in their chamber of origin are now eligible for consideration in the other chamber. While posting a work session does not guarantee a bill will ultimately advance, it signals that the bill remains active and under serious consideration.
The tone in the Capitol has also grown more political this week. As I mentioned previously, SB 1599, the bill to change the election date for the Gas Tax Referendum, has been highly contentious. Additionally, I’ve heard from many of you regarding HB 4145, which I believe sidesteps the process established under Measure 114. I oppose both of these bills and will vote no if they come before the House Floor.
I share a more detailed update in my weekly video, and this newsletter also includes a poll related to HB 4002, the bill addressing limits on the number of bills legislators may introduce. I encourage you to take a few minutes to watch the update and review the rest of the newsletter. As a reminder, I will be hosting a mid-session virtual town hall next Tuesday, February 24, with Senator Mike McLane and Representative Vikki Breese-Iverson. I hope you will join us.
Until next week,
Moments with Mark | February 21, 2026 | Legislative Deadline and Session Update
HB 4105 – Predictable Harvest Levels in State Forests
HB 4105 addresses the need for greater predictability in timber harvest levels on state forest lands, which provide critical revenue for counties that rely on these funds to support schools, public safety, and infrastructure.
This bill has now passed out of the House Committee on Agriculture, Land Use, Natural Resources, and Water and has been referred to the Joint Committee on Ways and Means. I am currently awaiting fiscal analysis from the Department of Justice to clarify implementation and financial impacts.
I remain committed to ensuring this legislation provides stability and certainty for the 15 counties that depend on state forest revenue while maintaining responsible stewardship of our forest resources.
🔗 View HB 4105 Bill Overview
HB 4049 – Harney Basin Voluntary Agreements
HB 4049 addresses voluntary agreements related to groundwater management in the Harney Basin, which remains critical to protecting agricultural viability and long-term water sustainability.
This bill has passed out of committee and has been referred to the Joint Committee on Ways and Means. I continue to have productive conversations with the Governor’s Office and the Oregon Water Resources Department to ensure solutions reflect the needs of producers, protect water resources, and support the long-term viability of Harney Basin communities.
🔗 View HB 4049 Bill Overview
I had the opportunity to testify in support of SCR 204, honoring the Association of Oregon Counties and their 120 years of service.
As a former Harney County Commissioner and part of AOC’s Class of 2017, I saw firsthand how important it is to have a unified voice. When you represent a county of just 7,400 people, it’s easy to be overlooked at the state and federal level. AOC brings together commissioners, clerks, planners, and road officials from every county to make sure rural communities are heard.
What stood out most to me was that it didn’t matter whether someone was a Republican or Democrat—we were there to solve problems and build good policy for our counties and our state. That’s a lesson we can continue to learn from here in the Legislature.
I was proud to support SCR 204 and recognize the important work AOC has done, and continues to do for Oregon.
Last week, I shared my support for HB 4002, a bill aimed at reducing the number of measures introduced during long legislative sessions. With thousands of bills drafted each session and only a fraction becoming law, it can be difficult for legislators and the public to fully evaluate every proposal.
Your perspective is important to me. I invite you to take a brief poll and share your thoughts on HB 4002. Your feedback will help guide my work and ensure your voice is represented as this proposal moves forward.
(note: survey opens in a new window)
One of my most important responsibilities is voting on legislation that comes before the House floor. I believe transparency and accountability are essential, and I want you to know exactly how I am representing House District 60.
Overall Session Total:
🟢 Supported: 40 | 🔴 Opposed: 10 | 🟡 Excused (House Business): 9
Vote Key:
🟢 Aye — Supported the bill
🔴 Nay — Opposed the bill
🟡 Excused (House Business) — Officially excused while conducting legislative duties, often meetings with other legislators.
February 16, 2026
🔗 HB 4088 A | 🔴 Nay – Declares Oregon policy regarding reproductive health care and gender-affirming treatment protections
February 17, 2026
🔗 HB 4079 | 🔴 Nay – Requires schools and higher education institutions to adopt policies for federal immigration authority presence on campus
🔗 HB 4116 | 🔴 Nay – Rejects application of certain federal consumer finance loan provisions in Oregon
🔗 HB 4017 | 🔴 Nay – Allows campaign funds to be used for specified security-related expenses
🔗 HB 4039 A | 🟢 Aye – Requires transparent process for setting coordinated care organization payment rates
🔗 HB 4045 A | 🟢 Aye – Requires communications providers to respond promptly to warrants in stalking and domestic violence investigations
🔗 HB 4057 A | 🟢 Aye – Improves access to information on publicly funded early learning and child care programs
🔗 HB 4060 | 🟢 Aye – Extends timeline allowing certain large facilities to purchase specified fluorescent lamps
🔗 HB 4065 A | 🟢 Aye – Updates provisions related to agricultural seed production contracts
🔗 HB 4069 A | 🟢 Aye – Requires safety policies for behavioral health workers
🔗 HB 4072 | 🟢 Aye – Adjusts arraignment timing requirements following release from custody
🔗 HB 4077| 🟢 Aye – Allows utilities to securitize debt related to insurance programs with regulatory approval
🔗 HB 4082 A| 🟢 Aye – Expands options for cities to add housing, including manufactured housing, within urban growth boundaries
🔗 HCR 201 | 🟢 Aye – Celebrates the 75th anniversary of the Oregon Fire District Directors Association
🔗 HB 4123 A | 🟢 Aye – Limits disclosure of confidential information by landlords
🔗 HB 4162 | 🟢 Aye – Repeals Ballot Measure 119 requiring labor peace agreements for certain cannabis and liquor licensees
February 18, 2026
🔗 HB 4098 A | 🔴 Nay – Expands enforcement authority for certain insurance-related violations
🔗 HB 4114 A | 🟡 Excused (House Business) – Creates civil cause of action related to certain law enforcement actions
🔗 HB 4028 A | 🟡 Excused (House Business) – Regulates insurer audits of behavioral health claims
🔗 HB 4035 A | 🟡 Excused (House Business) – Expands urban growth boundary eligibility
🔗 HB 4037 A | 🟡 Excused (House Business) – Adjusts affordable housing loan program
🔗 HB 4042 A | 🟡 Excused (House Business) – Expands child-caring agency licensing enforcement authority
🔗 HB 4053 A | 🟡 Excused (House Business) – Establishes Emergency Medical Services Program Fund
🔗 HB 4070 A | 🟡 Excused (House Business) – Clarifies psychiatric care funding responsibility
February 19, 2026
🔗 HB 4091 | 🔴 Nay – Modifies authority related to National Guard mobilization coordination
🔗 HB 4128 A | 🟢 Aye – Requires certain entities to wait before purchasing single-family homes
🔗 HB 4143 A | 🔴 Nay – Allows state to withhold federal payments under specified circumstances
🔗 HB 4120 A | 🟢 Aye – Allows landlords to convert multifamily housing to nonsmoking
🔗 HB 4157 | 🟢 Aye – Expands admissibility of certain statements in sex crime cases
🔗 HB 4160 A | 🟢 Aye – Requires schools to implement cardiac emergency response plans
🔗 HB 4041 A | 🟢 Aye – Reduces penalties for certain driving while suspended violations
🔗 HB 4111 A | 🔴 Nay – Limits admissibility of immigration status in civil proceedings
🔗 HB 4151 A | 🟢 Aye – Increases penalties for false reports causing enhanced law enforcement responses
February 20, 2026
🔗 HB 4076 A | 🟢 Aye – Directs state to study energy issues
🔗 HB 4142 A | 🟢 Aye – Expands qualifying conditions for medical marijuana use
🔗 HB 4156 A | 🟢 Aye – Modifies Medicaid supplemental reimbursements for emergency medical providers
🔗 HB 4149 A | 🟢 Aye – Improves enrollment and services for homeless students
🔗 HB 4021 A | 🟢 Aye – Updates rulemaking notice and effective date requirements
🔗 HB 4137 A | 🟢 Aye – Allows vehicle sellers to notify courts when no longer responsible for citations
🔗 HB 4140 A | 🟢 Aye – Expands protections for telecommunications infrastructure
🔗 SB 1518 | 🟢 Aye – Clarifies wage and overtime rules for companionship services
🔗 SB 1520 | 🟢 Aye – Updates accounting procedures for Paid Family and Medical Leave Insurance Fund
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With Oregon’s short legislative session underway, I invite you to join me for a virtual town hall with Senator Mike McLane and Representative Vikki Breese-Iverson.
This online conversation will focus on what we expect during the short session, key budget and policy issues, and how legislative decisions may impact our districts. Hearing directly from constituents is critical, and your input helps guide my work in Salem.
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Tuesday, February 24 at 6:00 p.m.
Online via Zoom (registration required)
I hope you’ll join us for this important discussion.
NewSun Energy will be awarding scholarships ranging from $500 - $2,500 to high school seniors from Crook, Harney, Klamath, Lake, Gilliam, Wasco, Morrow, Lane, Linn, Sherman, and Umatilla counties. Essays should demonstrate a genuine reflection that draws on unique experiences and perspectives, and be the student’s original writing.
Eligibility
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Applicant must be a graduating senior from Crook, Harney, Klamath, Lake, Gilliam, Wasco, Morrow, Lane, Linn, Sherman, and Umatilla counties.
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There is no minimum GPA or financial need requirement
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Awards will be paid directly to the college or university for post-secondary education in the United States, including community college and accredited vocational/trade school
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Students must be enrolled full-time
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Essay must be 800-1200 words
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Essays must be submitted by 11:59pm April 10, 2026
Learn more and apply here.
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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