Week 4 of the Short Session

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

Hello Friends and Neighbors,

We’ve wrapped up another intense week of this short session. Sine die — the constitutional deadline that ends session — has now been declared imminent, which means committee posting requirements are effectively shortened, allowing bills to move more quickly through the process. That can help us meet our deadline of when the Legislature must conclude its work by 11:59:59pm on March 8 — but it also means legislation can advance at a pace that leaves less room for thorough public review.

You’ll often hear the phrase around this building: “Hurry up and wait.” We’ve now passed our chamber deadlines, so policy debates have shifted from committee rooms to the House Floor. This week involved plenty of waiting — but as the most controversial bills begin coming forward, the pace has, and will continue to, accelerate quickly.

With that, I want to walk you through some of what unfolded this week and why the process matters so much to the people we serve.

LEGISLATIVE UPDATES

Bill to Move Referendum Vote Date Misses Secretary Read’s Deadline 

Towards the end of January, the Oregon Secretary of State, Tobias Read, sent legislative leadership a memo informing them that the legislature would need to pass SB 1599 by February 25. He said this date would ensure that Oregonians have a fair and equal chance to participate in the voters’ pamphlet process, should the referendum be moved to May. 

Republicans worked hard to arrange for the bill to be scheduled on Monday to ensure it would miss the deadline. At this point, the responsible decision would be to declare the bill dead.  

You can read Secretary Read’s letter below: 

On January 28th, my office shared with you a memo about the process to reschedule a qualified ballot measure to the May 2026 primary election. I have attached it again to this email for your reference. I am writing to remind you about today’s deadline for SB 1599 to be passed and signed into law. This is the deadline our team recommended to ensure that Oregonians have a fair and equal chance to participate in the voters’ pamphlet process related to the referendum, should it be on the ballot in May.  

Yes, you can still reschedule the referendum to May after today; however, every day that passes makes it more challenging for my office to provide Oregonians with a free alternative to paying a $1,200 fee to file statements about the referendum in the voters’ pamphlet. This could impact Oregonians’ ability to make their voices heard. This signature gathering alternative makes sure money is not a barrier between Oregonians and their democracy. That’s an Oregon value I know you all agree with. A shortened timeline for signature gathering and verification also creates a burden for the Elections Division — it will take a significant amount of staff time to verify these signatures before the March 12th deadline.  

I strongly advise you to work with urgency to resolve this issue.  

TJR 

Oregonians overwhelmingly opposed moving the referendum vote to the primary election. Over 4,600 Oregonians submitted written testimony on Senate Bill 1599,  of which 98% were in opposition.  

House Republicans Pause Floor Session to Protest Thrown Out “Hostile Working Environment” Allegations Against Prominent Democrat

On Monday, House Republicans paused Floor proceedings in protest of how serious workplace conduct allegations — and the legislative process itself — were handled by majority party leadership.

This situation began last week in the House Judiciary Committee during deliberations on House Bill 4145. During a key vote, Representative Thủy Trần signaled opposition to an amendment over constitutional concerns. Had that vote stood, the committee would have deadlocked, and the bill would not have advanced.

Instead, the vote was recalled after a private hallway conversation between Representative Kropf, the bill’s chief sponsor, and Rep. Trần. When she returned, she changed her vote, allowing the bill to move forward. Multiple witnesses expressed concern about what had transpired.

Shortly thereafter, a formal conduct complaint was filed alleging intimidation and verbal pressure. These are serious claims. Whether one supports or opposes HB 4145 is beside the point — no bill should advance under circumstances that call the integrity of the process into question.

The Legislative Equity Office declined to move forward with an investigation. In light of that decision, our House Republican leadership informed the Speaker that we would be making a motion to remove the bill’s sponsor from the House Conduct Committee to avoid even the appearance of a conflict of interest — a step that has precedent.

Instead, Floor proceedings were delayed for more than two hours, and when the House reconvened, our motion was bypassed. The Majority Leader moved to accept the sponsor’s resignation from the Conduct Committee, and the Chief Clerk of the House stated that the resignation letter was not debatable. This is not the typical process for addressing concerns of this magnitude.

House Republicans then paused floor proceedings by denying Democrats a quorum — not to stall legislation, but to underscore that transparency and accountability matter. The public deserves confidence that legislation advances because it has the votes, not because pressure was applied behind closed doors.

This is bigger than one bill. HB 4145 itself remains highly controversial, and it is worth noting that Ballot Measure 114 passed by an extremely narrow margin. There is no overwhelming voter mandate here. When margins are slim, process matters even more. Oregonians expect open debate, respect for dissenting voices, and adherence to established rules.

Regardless of party, it is never appropriate for anyone to use their position to pressure a colleague regarding their vote. I was outspoken when a similar incident occurred last session involving a member of my caucus, and I remain consistent today. Standards of conduct must apply equally to everyone.

A similar instance happened last session, when the chair of a powerful committee raised his vote and spoke down on one of my Republican colleagues.

If we are to restore trust in this institution, allegations must be addressed promptly and transparently, and the legislative process must be protected from manipulation. Oregonians deserve nothing less.

Constitutionally Questionable Gun Bill Heads to Senate for Consideration

Despite its questionable process, the House passed HB 4145 on Wednesday, but not without ample, fervent debate.   As a little refresher, HB 4145 essentially resurrects Ballot Measure 114, which has been tied up in courts since it was passed by voters in 2022. However, there are several key differences. HB 4145 would raise the maximum firearm purchase fee from $65, as established in Ballot Measure 114, to $150. It would also extend the recommended permit processing time from 30 days to 60 days and establish a permit database.  HB 4145 is being presented as a response to public safety concerns. While I respect the intent behind the proposal, I remain concerned that it does not fully address the root causes of violence in our communities. At the same time, significant constitutional questions remain unresolved, particularly as the courts continue to review Ballot Measure 114, which this bill closely mirrors. The permitting fees and training requirements outlined in HB 4145 could create real barriers for rural residents and low-income working families. For many Oregonians, time away from work and additional expenses are not small matters. Public safety policies should not unintentionally limit access for responsible, law-abiding citizens simply because of where they live or their financial circumstances. If we are serious about reducing violence, we must focus on solutions that address the underlying crisis — including investments in mental health treatment, addiction services, crisis intervention, and early prevention efforts. Lasting safety comes from strong communities and proactive support systems. The bill also creates permanent exemptions from certain permit and magazine requirements for active and retired law enforcement officers, even for off-duty or personal use. Meanwhile, concealed handgun license holders — who undergo background checks and training — are not afforded the same consideration. Many Oregonians have raised concerns about fairness and consistency in how these standards are applied. Additionally, HB 4145 requires all legal challenges to be filed in Marion County Circuit Court. Typically, restricting jurisdiction in this way is reserved for highly specialized matters. Constitutional questions that affect Oregonians statewide should be accessible to courts across the state, ensuring transparency and equal access to the judicial process. Privacy concerns have also been raised regarding the permit database. The requirement for fingerprinting and photographing applicants, combined with changes to language addressing data retention, has led some Oregonians to question how personal information will be stored and protected. It is very possible that, if passed, HB 4145 will face extended litigation, much like Ballot Measure 114. At a time when trust in government institutions is strained, we should strive for policies that bring people together, withstand constitutional scrutiny, and reflect thoughtful, balanced decision-making. Oregonians deserve solutions that enhance safety while respecting rights, fairness, and due process.

Bill That Eliminates Federal Tax Breaks Heads to the Governor’s Desk 

On Wednesday, the House passed Senate Bill 1507, which will eliminate $311 million in federal tax breaks that Democrats mischaracterized as a tax relief package. The bill takes several of the federal tax cuts promised in the “Big Beautiful Bill” and cancels them at the state level.  The issue most often raised by my constituents is affordability. Oregonians pay some of the highest income taxes in the country. At 9.9%, the top rate of Oregon’s income tax kicks in at a marginal income of $125,000, whereas the top rates in California, New Jersey, and Washington, D.C., are on marginal income above $25 million. In fact, Portlanders pay a 13.9% marginal tax rate on incomes over $125,000, the highest rate at that income threshold in the country.   It's not just individuals who are concerned.  Since 2019, state business taxes have increased by a staggering 77% to $3.4 billion. In 2016, Oregon slid to 35th in general tax competitiveness and 49th in corporate tax competitiveness.  The federal tax cuts that Oregon is disconnecting from threaten provisions meant to spur economic investment. Bonus depreciation, qualified small business stocks, auto loan interest, and jobs tax credits would have made Oregon a more competitive place for businesses and would have kept money in Oregonians’ pockets.

Delphian School Choir

On Tuesday, the talented Delphian School Choir performed for our opening ceremony.  Located on 720 acres of stunning nature in the hills of Sheridan, the Delphian School is a K-12 boarding school with proud tradition of musical excellence.  They have qualified for the state choir championships for 20 consecutive years.  Their voices are truly phenomenal.  Listening to their performance was a beautiful reminder of the harmony that comes when individuals bring their unique voices together for a common song.  In our work and play, may we be inspired to create harmony that blesses all who are around us.

You can watch their performance here.

Honorary Pages

It’s always a highlight of session to spend time with our Honorary Pages and see the next generation engaging in the legislative process. The Oregon Legislative Honorary Page Program offers students ages 12–18 a unique, hands-on opportunity to experience the Capitol for a day — delivering materials on the House Floor, observing debate, and interacting directly with legislators. This week I had the pleasure of hosting Ansel from the Delphian School, who sang in the choir that performed at the Capitol the day prior. He has a strong interest in politics and hopes to study engineering. I also welcomed Mason, a homeschool student from Representative Ed Diehl’s district, who stays busy with football, swimming, and involvement in his church community. It’s encouraging to meet young Oregonians who are curious, engaged, and already thinking about how they want to contribute to the future of our state.

Cattlemen's Dinner

I enjoyed attending the Oregon Cattlemen’s Association Legislative Reception this week. The cattle sector consistently ranks as one of Oregon’s top agricultural commodities, contributing more than $900 million annually to our state’s economy when accounting for broader impacts and supporting thousands of jobs — especially in rural communities.
The Oregon Cattlemen’s Association works to promote responsible industry practices, protect property rights, strengthen local economies, and ensure agriculture has a strong voice in the legislative process. I appreciated the opportunity to connect with producers and hear directly about the issues impacting their families and operations.
And of course, their beef jerky never disappoints — truly one of the best snacks in the Capitol, especially this time of year when lunch often gets replaced by surprise meetings!

COMMUNITY KUDOS

Femme Ferments

I want to take a moment to highlight a local business that is pairing Oregon craftsmanship with meaningful community impact.

Femme Ferments is a Willamette Valley wine label founded by Karen Wright and Jessica Lindley with a clear and compelling mission: 100% of net profits are donated to nonprofit partners that empower women, strengthen communities, and expand opportunity.

Their wines — beginning with an Albariño and followed by a Pinot Noir — are produced in collaboration with local growers and producers who share a commitment to quality, stewardship of the land, and integrity in their craft. But what truly sets Femme Ferments apart is purpose. This is not a marketing campaign or seasonal initiative; it is the foundation of their business model.

Each bottle carries words that reflect their values: Strength. Compassion. Hope. Grace. Grit. As their founders say, this work is about “beauty in the broken glass” — the belief that resilience and intention can turn challenges into something meaningful.

Small businesses are the backbone of Oregon’s economy, and it’s inspiring to see entrepreneurs using their platform to invest directly back into our communities. I encourage you to learn more about Femme Ferments and the work they are supporting across our state.

HelloCare Opens New Office in McMinnville

On Wednesday, the McMinnville Chamber of Commerce hosted a ribbon cutting to welcome HelloCare to their new office location.

HelloCare is a nurse-led, Oregon-grown in-home care provider dedicated to helping older adults live safely, independently, and with dignity in the comfort of their own homes. Their caregivers support seniors and families with daily living needs such as personal care, meal preparation, mobility assistance, medication reminders, companionship, and more - all with clinical oversight and a personalized approach to care.

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