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

Friends,

What a busy week! We are nearing the end of the 2026 Legislative Session with just two weeks to go. Today we passed one of my priority bills, which protects students experiencing homelessness. Read more about it below. 

A big thank you to our visitors from the central Oregon business community this week - we appreciate you coming and advocating for our local businesses.

Next week we will be spending lots of time voting and moving legislation forward.

As always, my door is open to you. Please reach out. 

Warmly, 

Passage of My Priority Bill

House Bill 4149A, my priority bill that codifies the federal McKinney-Vento Act, passed the House Floor today.

This measure ensures that students without stable housing can enroll in school immediately, stay connected to their school communities and access transportation, extracurricular activities and essential services without delay. 

During the 2024–25 school year, 21,122 Oregon students, approximately 4 percent of all students statewide, were identified as eligible for McKinney-Vento services, underscoring the urgent need to protect and codify these critical educational supports. While Oregon schools have long followed the federal McKinney-Vento Act in practice, this bill puts these protections in state law, providing greater clarity, consistency, and stability regardless of federal policy changes. By putting these safeguards into law, Oregon reaffirms its commitment to some of our most vulnerable students.

Central Oregon Regional Business Alliance Visits the Capitol A big thank you for coming to Salem to advocate for our communities and local economic development. I’m grateful to have such dedicated leaders supporting our district and working alongside me to address important issues. Their efforts on recreation liability reform in Oregon have been invaluable, and we’re making steady progress toward meaningful solutions.

The Oregon Legislature has officially reached the midpoint of the 2026 short session.

As we pass the halfway mark of this 35-day session, legislators are carefully determining which proposals have the necessary support to advance through both chambers. Numerous bills have already been debated, amended, or held in committee, while many others have moved to second and third readings on the House and Senate floors this week. 

Advancing Through the Legislature: Highlights from this Week's House Floor Votes

Putting Oregon Homebuyers First- HB 4128 helps level the playing field for Oregon homebuyers. The bill creates a 90-day waiting period before large institutional investors can purchase single-family homes, giving working families and first-time buyers a fair opportunity to compete. As housing costs continue to rise, this measure is an important step toward strengthening housing stability and keeping homeownership within reach for Oregonians.

Protecting Students and School Communities- HB 4079 ensures schools remain safe and stable learning environments amid rising concerns about immigration enforcement activity. The bill requires school districts and public colleges to adopt clear protocols if federal immigration authorities arrive on campus, including verifying warrants, designating trained staff, and notifying families while protecting student privacy.

Increasing Transparency in Student Attendance Data- HB 4154 improves transparency and public access to student attendance data. The bill requires the Oregon Department of Education to publish clear, consistent attendance metrics, including rates of chronic absenteeism, four times per year in an easy-to-understand format. By strengthening accountability and providing better data, this measure will help schools and communities more effectively address absenteeism and support student success.

Community Announcement: 

The Wildfire Programs Advisory Council has a vacancy for a member representing City Government, which can be elected City Official, City Employee or member of the League of Oregon Cities.

The Council is charged with monitoring progress of wildfire programs, advising and assisting the Director, and preparing an annual report to the Governor and the Oregon Legislative Assembly. You can learn more about the Wildfire Programs Advisory Council here: https://www.oregon.gov/gov/policies/pages/wildfire-programs-council.aspx

Applications for a member representing City Government are due by March 13. You can find the application at https://bit.ly/WPACapp_CityGov. Please send completed applications to Carol.Crum@oregonlegislature.gov & Carol.Suzuki@oregonlegislature.gov.