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To contact me, please click here: Rep.LucettaElmer@oregonlegislature.gov
Hello Friends and Neighbors,
I hope you enjoyed a wonderful holiday weekend. There was no day-off in the legislative world, but despite the long hours, I am grateful to be in a position to try and bring change, make a difference, and represent YOU.
If you've followed any of the legislative activity on social media, you know there have been plenty of tense moments. Oregonians may be feeling frustrated, confused, or angry. But there are also moments where a bill receives bipartisan—even unanimous—support. Please read on for updates on several bills as well as community updates from House District 24.
LEGISLATIVE UPDATES
We are officially over halfway through the 2026 Short Session!
On Monday, we hit the first chamber deadline, which means that most of our time was spent on the House Chamber's Floor, actually voting on bills instead of workshopping them in committee. Bills that were not voted out of committee by the deadline are now considered “dead.” Of the 261 bills introduced in the House, only about 165 are still in the running to become law.
In other very exciting news, House Republicans were able to kill a bill on the Floor this week. Seven moderate Democrats joined Republicans in opposition to a bill that imposed stricter definitions regarding theft of services. This very technical bill would have raised insurance costs.
The Majority Leader made a motion to reconsider the bill, which would have brought it back up for a vote the next day. I pushed back, and the initial Floor vote was upheld. We don’t often see bills die on the Floor in supermajority-controlled Oregon, so this was certainly newsworthy.
Oregon House of Representatives Passes “Shield Law” for Pediatric Medical Transition and Abortion Providers
On Monday, the House passed House Bill 4088. The stated goal of this bill is to provide legal protections for healthcare providers in Oregon who offer abortion or pediatric gender-related medical services to out-of-state patients. While I understand the desire to ensure providers are not subject to out-of-state legal action for care that is lawful here, I have concerns about how broadly this bill is written.
HB 4088 extends protections not only to providers, but to anyone who “aids or assists” in these services — language that raises questions about accountability in cases of negligence, malpractice, or failure to report abuse. In my view, any policy in this area must be carefully tailored to protect patients while also preserving appropriate oversight and safeguards.
The bill also prohibits gubernatorial extraditions in certain cases and restricts public bodies from cooperating with investigations from other states when the care provided is legal in Oregon. These are significant legal changes that deserve careful consideration.
This debate is unfolding alongside evolving conversations within the medical community. Recent national and international reviews have raised questions about standards of care for minors experiencing gender dysphoria, with some organizations calling for more research and caution. Regardless of where one stands on this issue, I believe we should take seriously any indication that medical guidance is still developing.
Some testimony raised additional concerns that the bill may be unnecessary given Oregon’s existing medical confidentiality protections. Others noted that the sweeping definitions included in the bill encompass a wide range of reproductive and related health services, which could create unintended consequences or confusion.
I believe strongly in protecting patient privacy and ensuring that Oregonians have access to care under our state’s laws. At the same time, when we alter longstanding medical confidentiality standards or limit cooperation between states, we must do so with precision and clear guardrails. Policies of this magnitude deserve thorough review, careful drafting, and a deliberative process — especially when they touch on deeply personal and complex issues.
Even when we disagree, I remain committed to approaching these conversations with respect and a focus on what is best for our community and our state.
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Republicans Attempt to Couple Commonsense Legislation with Abortion Policy
On the same day that HB 4088 was up for a vote on the Floor, House Republicans made a motion to withdraw a bill from committee that would require a health care practitioner to exercise the proper degree of care to preserve the health and life of a child born alive, regardless of whether the birth was the result of an induced abortion.
Representative Court Boice (R-Gold Beach) made a motion to pull his bill, House Bill 4087, from the House Committee on Health Care to the House floor for a vote after the Chair of the committee refused to schedule the bill for a public hearing. The motion failed on party lines.
According to the Oregon Health Authority, late-term abortions in Oregon have tripled in the past five years, but Oregon has no legal protections for infants born alive during an attempted abortion. The 2002 Federal Born-Alive Protection Act defines infants who survive abortion as persons, but it "does not specify the obligations surrounding the duty of care for such infants.”
House Bill 4087 would have closed a dangerous gap in care by ensuring the same standard treatment and care as any infant born at the same gestational age. This would put Oregon in line with 35 other states that have born-alive protections.
House Bill 4087 does not place criminal penalties on abortion providers or allow for civil or criminal penalties to be placed on women receiving abortions. Rather, it creates reporting obligations for providers and includes civil pathways for accountability to prevent intentional or reckless failures to provide care.
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Kristil’s Law: Oregon to Set Higher Protections for Victims of Stalking and Domestic Violence
On Tuesday, the House unanimously passed House Bill 4045, also known as Kristil’s Law. This bill would require all communications providers operating in Oregon to respond to search warrants within five business days, and require social media providers to respond within 72 hours after receiving a request involving stalking or domestic violence.
“I’m very pleased that the House unanimously passed this important bill, which corrects a dangerous gap in the current system,” said the bill’s chief sponsor, Representative Kevin Mannix. “This bill recognizes a simple truth: In domestic violence and stalking cases, speed saves lives.”
The bill is named after a Colorado woman named Kristil Krug, who was stalked for over two months before she was ultimately murdered by the stalker, who used a cellphone to terrorize her, while impersonating an innocent man. Despite carefully documenting the text messages and emails and seeking help from law enforcement, the warrants that were issued to Krug’s phone company to identify the stalker weren’t returned in time to save her life.
Currently, there is no statutory deadline requiring communications companies to respond to search warrants. As a result, it can take weeks or even months to produce critical evidence, even if a judge has already determined probable cause. If passed, Oregon would be the first in the nation to have this type of law.
In domestic violence cases, speed saves lives. It is well-documented that victims of domestic violence and stalking are at risk of being murdered by their aggressor. If this bill advances, it would bridge a dangerous gap in how Oregon currently handles stalking investigations and help prevent critical delays, such as we saw in Kristil’s case.
I'm optimistic that Kristil's Law will pass and that we will be able to celebrate an important bipartisan win from this short session.
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Oregonians Tune in to a Telephone Town Hall on the Transportation Tax Referendum
 On Tuesday evening, Representative Shelly Boshart Davis, Senator Bruce Starr, and Senator David Brock Smith, and I convened a telephone town hall to discuss Senate Bill 1599, which would move the transportation tax referendum from the November General Election ballot to the May Primary Election ballot. During our one-hour update and Q&A call, more than 17,000 Oregonians joined us live to listen and ask thoughtful questions. It was clear that Oregonians are just as fired up on this topic as we are. SB 1599 was carried over on the Senate calendar for consideration multiple times this past week and is currently scheduled for their final floor vote on Monday.
House Passes Bill that Increases Penalties for Swatting
On Thursday, the House passed House Bill 4151, which strengthens penalties for initiating a false report—commonly known as swatting.
Swatting is a dangerous form of criminal harassment where someone knowingly makes a hoax call to emergency services and falsely reports a violent emergency—such as an active shooter, hostage situation, bomb threat, or murder—in order to provoke a heavily armed law enforcement response, often involving SWAT teams or tactical units, at an innocent person's location.
In recent years, swatting has increasingly targeted public officials, candidates, and those with outspoken views to harass, silence, or terrorize them—exploiting emergency systems to create fear, chaos, and potential for deadly confrontations.
Under current law, this offense is a Class A misdemeanor. HB 4151 elevates cases that cause serious injury or death to a Class C felony.
“This bipartisan measure sends a clear message that those who abuse our 911 system will face serious consequences,” said one of the bill’s chief sponsors, Representative Darcey Edwards.
By increasing accountability in the most severe cases, this bill helps protect everyday Oregonians, safeguards our schools and communities, and preserves trust in emergency responders so they can focus on genuine threats.
HB 4151 passed with broad bipartisan support in a vote of 52 to 3 (5 Representatives not in attendance). It now moves to the Senate for consideration.
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Remembering a Trailblazer: Avel Gordly, People's Champion
 Oregon’s “Conscience of the State Senate,” Avel Gordly, passed away Monday at 79. The state’s first Black woman Senator, Gordly approached the Legislature with a strong moral compass built by her experience in civil rights and mental health work.
Avel Gordly graduated from Portland State University in 1974. Throughout her subsequent career, she experienced first-hand the struggles of living and working as a Black woman in Oregon. This eventually drove her into the world of politics. Gordly was appointed to the Oregon House of Representatives in 1991 and was reelected in 1992.
“I felt afraid, fearful of being called on to use my voice in that way. I questioned whether I was smart enough, whether I had the preparation. I struggled with visualizing myself in the role. And then all these people appeared who wanted to help me.”
Gordly became Senator Avel Gordly in 1996, where she set out to use her voice to advocate for the most vulnerable. She was a champion for social justice, sponsoring legislation to combat police violence, address education disparities, and improve mental health practices.
Fed up with the Democratic Party, Gordly became an Independent in 2006, saying, “We have allowed one party to run the state for four decades. It hasn’t worked.” She would later describe her time in the Oregon Legislative Assembly as occasionally frustrating and isolating. She was up against a political system with parties that she observed were more focused on partisan interests than solving Oregon’s very real issues.
Regardless, Senator Avel Gordly left her mark on Oregon politics. Her colleagues who survived her say she left the Legislature a kinder and more compassionate place. I know she will be very missed and will continue to live in the hearts of all who knew her.
After she retired from politics, Gordly returned to Portland State University, this time as a professor, where she would go on to inspire the next generation of Oregon leaders.
Oregon Able Savings Plan
The Oregon ABLE Savings Plan is celebrating a major milestone for financial inclusion as the ABLE Age Adjustment Act officially takes effect, expanding eligibility and opening the door for thousands more Oregonians with disabilities to save and invest without risking critical benefits. As of January 1, 2026, individuals whose disability or blindness began before age 46 — up from the previous age limit of 26 — may now be eligible to open an ABLE account. The change, authorized by federal law, reflects growing recognition that disability can occur at any stage of life and that access to financial tools should not be limited by age of onset.
ABLE accounts allow eligible individuals to save for qualified disability-related expenses — including housing, education, transportation, healthcare, and assistive technology — while maintaining eligibility for federal benefits such as Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Medicaid. Check your eligibility, or sign up for an account here.
Life and Legislation With Lucetta
 On Wednesday, podcast host Jessica Campbell sat down with the House Republican Office Communications Director Emily Girsch to get an update on legislation at the halfway point of our short session. I encourage you to take a listen and learn more about Kristil's Law, which we hope will be signed into law very soon. You can listen on any podcast platform or watch the episode on my YouTube Channel.
COMMUNITY KUDOS
ScienceFest at Evergreen
 We are so fortunate to have incredible museums and programs in our area that engage the community in science and learning. On March 7, a wonderful event called ScienceFest returns to McMinnville. ScienceFest is a free, family-friendly community event hosted by the Carlton Observatory at the Evergreen Aviation & Space Museum (EASM). Designed to spark curiosity and wonder, ScienceFest brings hands-on activities, demonstrations, and interactive experiences that make science accessible and engaging for all ages. Last year, more than 350 community members attended, highlighting the strong demand for inclusive science programming in our region. By removing financial barriers and welcoming learners of all backgrounds, ScienceFest directly supports our mission of fostering a scientifically literate community. Registration is required, so reserve your spot today!
"If I Were Mayor" Student Contest
 McMinnville Mayor Kim Morris and Lafayette Mayor Hilary Malcomson have teamed up for this year’s If I Were Mayor student contest, encouraging local students to share their vision for their community. Elementary students (grades 4–5) may submit a poster, middle school students (grades 6–8) an essay, and high school students (grades 9–12) a short video.
City winners will receive fun local prizes and be entered into the statewide contest for a chance to win up to $500. Submissions are due March 20, 2026, and students participate based on their home address. Visit iheartmac.org for more details.
It's so important for the next generation to learn about their government and learn how to make a difference in their communities. I'm excited to see the results of this contest!
McMinnville Downtown Association Annual Dinner
 On Friday evening, the McMinnville Downtown Association (MDA) hosted its annual dinner. The room was filled with business owners and community members who came together to celebrate the successes of 2025 (including having the largest turnout for any UFO festival in the world), honor the many volunteers who make the downtown area so special, and raise money through a lively auction. As a business owner, I am always encouraged to see how our communities unite to support the local economy.
Survey: Governor's Prosperity Council
Governor Kotek’s Prosperity Council is asking the public to share their insights, experiences, and ideas on the state’s economic future.
The Prosperity Council is an outside advisory group convened by Governor Kotek to help shape strategies for Oregon’s economic prosperity and growth. The council includes representatives from different regions of the state, key industries, and labor, and is focused on three main areas: business climate, workforce, and tools for growth. Its role is to develop practical recommendations for the near, medium, and long term in each of these areas.
Council meetings began in January 2026 and will conclude in June 2026, when a final report of recommendations will be delivered. This statewide survey will be circulated widely and will remain open through March 20, 2026, so the council can consider this input as it develops its recommendations. As a note, all survey responses will be included in the public record. The survey will take approximately 15 minutes to complete.
GET INVOLVED
Register to testify!
- If there is a bill you are particularly passionate about, you can register to testify either in support or opposition to the bill.
- Advance registration is required! Registration closes 30 minutes before the hearing is scheduled to begin.
- You will want to fill out the “Public Testimony Registration Form.”
- You will receive an email confirmation with an option to join Microsoft Teams if you can not testify in person.
Submit a Written Testimony!
- If you prefer not to testify in person, you can also submit written testimony in support or opposition to a bill.
- To submit written testimony, follow the same steps as you would to register to testify in front of the committee, but you will select “Submit Testimony” and fill out the “Written Testimony Submission Form.”
- Written testimony must be submitted up to 48 hours after the committee meeting start time.
Testifying on a bill gives you a voice in Oregon’s legislature. The voice of the people is the cornerstone of democracy! Let yours be heard today.
Yours truly,
 Representative Lucetta Elmer
House District 24
Capitol Phone: 503-986-1424
Capitol Address: 900 Court St. NE, H-395, Salem, Oregon 97301
Email: Rep.LucettaElmer@oregonlegislature.gov
Website: https://www.oregonlegislature.gov/elmer
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