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To contact me, please click here: Rep.KevinMannix@oregonlegislature.gov
Hello Friends,
The legislative short session is always a sprint, but with determination we have officially reached Sine Die and now head into the long interim. Even with the fast pace, my office secured several important wins this year and successfully stopped a number of concerning proposals. I am proud of what we accomplished in such a condensed timeframe and look forward to building on this progress in the sessions ahead.
Securing support for capital funding requests is never easy, and that challenge is even greater during the short session.
With that in mind, I was proud to secure $1,350,000 towards the McNary Field Resiliency and Emergency Capability and Terminal Master Plan.
 The Salem-Willamette Valley Airport is securing plans and funds for the ability to operate as a regional base for emergency functions/resiliency efforts in event of natural disasters. Emergency power and expansion of the current terminal will allow emergency rescue and response aircraft to operate to and from the Salem Airport if disaster limits other areas. This investment will also help leverage federal funding for terminal improvements.
I was proud to continue advancing protections for victims of stalking with the introduction and unanimous passage of HB 4045, known as Kristil’s Law. This legislation was crafted in honor of Kristil Krug, who was murdered in December 2023. Kristil was stalked over a two-month period by her husband, who used digital tools both to terrorize her and to frame an innocent man. Although law enforcement issued multiple search warrants during the investigation, responses from communications companies were not received until weeks after her death— despite later providing the same data within hours when exigent requests were made.
HB 4045 closes this dangerous gap. It requires communications providers to respond to search warrants within five business days, and social‑media companies to respond within 72 hours, when the requests involve stalking or domestic violence cases. Oregon will become the first state in the nation to impose these response deadlines, and I hope other states will follow suit. Stalking is a well‑established precursor to lethal violence, and delays in accessing digital evidence can have deadly consequences.
 Kristil did everything right: she documented the stalking, sought help from law enforcement, and appropriate warrants were issued. The system functioned as designed, yet it failed to protect her. This law is a step toward ensuring no other victim is left unprotected because critical information arrived too late.
My sincere thanks to Becky Ivanoff, Kristil’s cousin and a former Lane County Deputy District Attorney (pictured above), for bringing this issue forward and championing it through the legislative process. I am honored to have helped make these protections a reality and protect victims across our state.
During the 2025 long session we dealt with proposed legislation to raise taxes to fund transportation services. After extensive input from voters opposing the tax and lengthy discussions among members, session concluded with no movement on the proposal. In August, despite clear public opposition, the Governor called the Legislature back for a special session and pushed the tax package through quickly, leaving little room for public input. She signed it into law on November 10.
 Within just five weeks, however, voters again made their voices heard by gathering enough signatures to send the tax increases to the November ballot. This would give taxpayers a direct voice in how their money is used — especially important as Oregonians face rising costs and grow increasingly frustrated by the state’s spending choices.
I was disappointed to see the majority party abandon bipartisan work this short session and instead move this measure to the May primary — an election with much lower turnout and less voter participation — rather than honoring the voters’ decision to hold it in November.
 Oregonians rallied together to refer the proposed transportation tax to the ballot in record time. More than 250,000 signatures were collected to refer it to voters and the petitions signed clearly set the election day to November 3rd, giving them the right to an election on that day.
In past newsletters, I shared my concerns regarding the Oregon Supreme Court decision which eliminated liability protections for properties charging admission, such as amusement parks and ski resorts. This past winter, we saw the consequences firsthand as ski resort pricings increased, while insurance premiums for these facilities surged and coverage options dwindled.
I’m pleased to report that SB 1517 addresses this issue by restoring the enforceability of recreational liability waivers for operators of sports, fitness, and outdoor recreation activities. This includes ski resorts, gyms, rafting companies, and more.
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I backed this proposal during the 2025 session but it was unable to secure the support necessary to advance it at that time. I am encouraged that my fellow lawmakers acted this session and that it will now become the standard in Oregon. These protections are essential to keeping Oregon’s recreation industry stable and ensuring that the facilities so many Oregonians rely on can continue to operate.
Another issue which carried over from the long session into the short session was the effort to strengthen penalties for initiating a false police report, commonly known as swatting.
Swatting is a dangerous form of criminal harassment in which 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. These fabricated reports are intended to trigger a heavily armed law‑enforcement response, often involving SWAT teams or tactical units, at the home or workplace of an unsuspecting and innocent person.
Under current law, swatting was treated as a Class A misdemeanor. HB 4151 raises the penalty for cases that result in serious injury or death to a Class C felony, helping ensure that 911 and emergency response systems are not abused and that those who weaponize emergency services face meaningful consequences.
The bill passed with strong bipartisan support in both the House and the Senate and now awaits the governor’s signature.
SB 1511
Thirty-Eight states do not have an estate tax. Among the twelve that do, Oregon has the most burdensome structure, with the lowest exemption of $1 million. SB 1511 was introduced in the Senate and passed, described as providing a $2.5 million exemption.
However, it also increased the maximum tax rate from 16.0% to 19.9% which would make Oregon the state with the third highest rate. In addition, SB 1511 had an unusual claw back provision, under which estates valued at $1 over $2.5 million would revert to the $1 million exemption. This structure would effectively create an immediate $150,000 tax.
SB 1511 also did not include a portability exemption, which would allow a surviving spouse to use any unused exemption towards their estate taxes—something every other estate tax state already provides.
To address these problems, I proposed an amendment that created a true $2.5 million exemption per person, added portability for couples, and replaced the current structure with a simple flat tax rate of 10%. This amendment ultimately stopped the bill from advancing in the House. I will continue to work on the estate tax reform for Oregon.
If we continue to burden our Oregon residents with these unmatched tax requirements, we will continue encouraging our successful businesses and taxpayers to move to other tax friendlier states.
SJR 201 - Save the Kicker.
SJR 201 proposed amending the Oregon Constitution to divert a portion of surplus revenue (the Tax Kicker) that would normally be returned to personal income taxpayers. Under the proposal, if those funds passed a threshold of $300 million per biennium, 50% of those funds would instead be directed toward K–12 public education, community colleges, and wildfire prevention and suppression.
I believe every dollar collected from taxpayers should be budgeted carefully, and when the state finishes funding its approved budget, any excess should be returned to the people who paid it, not redirected to new programs. Many constituents have shared concerns with me about rising costs of living, and returning the kicker provides meaningful relief at a time when families need it most.
I was pleased to see SJR 201 defeated, ensuring surplus revenue will continue to be returned to taxpayers.
 In 2022, many will remember the controversial ballot initiative Measure 114, which introduced significant new restrictions on gun laws and legal gun owners. The measure is currently suspended by the courts due to constitutional concerns. Despite that ongoing legal pause, HB 4145 sought to revive Measure 114 by placing its provisions directly into statute, effectively overriding the suspension.
After the bill passed the House on party lines, I was relieved to see the Senate adopt important changes. The A9 amendment created a strategic pause in the implementation of Measure 114 and removed the additional licensing fee increases and extended permit processing timelines that had been added to the original bill. With these changes, HB 4145-A9 passed with implementation delayed until January 2028, allowing the underlying legal challenges to continue moving through the courts without prematurely enforcing the measure.
 Student Scholarship Opportunity
The Chime Scholars Foundation has opened applications for the 2026–2027 academic year, offering scholarships of up to $20,000 for students of all backgrounds pursuing college degrees, apprenticeships, trade schools, and technical or workforce certifications.
Since its launch in 2022, the program has awarded $7 million to more than 1,000 scholars nationwide through Chime’s 1% pledge to expand access to education. The results have been impressive: 100% of surveyed graduates say the scholarship helped them complete their degree or certification, 87% are on track to graduate—nearly double the rate of Federal Pell Grant recipients—and 72% secure employment in their field within six months of finishing their program.
Applications are open through March 31, 2026. Additional information is available at: https://www.chime.com/about-us/chime-scholars-foundation/.
Tax Assistance
April is right around the corner, and with it comes Tax Day. I want to remind you that there are several tax support options available to help you file your return. You can visit the Department of Revenue’s website to see the full list of resources, or you can head to my Legislative Website for additional guidance and links.
 Get to Know the Legislative Process
The House Republican Office has created a helpful Legislative Session Participation Guide that outlines how to engage in the legislative process. Although the current session has ended, work at the Capitol continues, and I encourage you to review the step‑by‑step instructions as we look ahead to the 2027 session.
 Click on the link and scroll down to view this guide on my legislative website.
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Earlier this session, I had the pleasure of meeting Diana Burgos, a member of the House Page Staff. Here I am with Diana and her husband, Matthew Kirschner. The two met when Diana led his tour group in Quito, Ecuador, where she is originally from. I spent four years living in Quito as a young man, so it has been a joy to talk with Diana about her hometown and share memories of a place that shaped both our lives. |
I also had the opportunity to meet with Michael and Renae Estes at the Capitol. They came to share their love for the unborn and to deliver thoughtful, educational letters to my legislative colleagues.
Renae worked for my law firm 37 years ago when she suffered the tragedy of a stillborn child. At her request I took a photo of the child in her arms, something I have otherwise not done. The photo is her own reminder of parental love and the preciousness of life.
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It was an honor to be visited by our own Center for Hope and Safety as part of Advocacy Day in February with the Oregon Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence. They were advocating for several survivor-centered bills, including Kristil’s Law. These proposals focus on victim safety, timely access to evidence, accountability, and survivor privacy statewide. |
On February 4 I had the honor of meeting with students from the McLaren Leadership Project. As we toured the Capitol Rotunda, I shared the legislative process, my role as a lawmaker, and the bills I introduced during session. it is always inspiring to see students taking an active interest in how our government works. |
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Earlier this session, I had the opportunity to meet with Mai Lin, Director General of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Seattle, whose outreach also includes Oregon. We took a photo outside the House Chamber joined by Representatives Dan Nguyen and Paul Evans. Director General May Lin is doing an excellent job in reaching out to the Oregon community. I stand strongly in support of our friends in Taiwan in defending their democracy and their right to self-government.
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I joined many Salem leaders at the Caritas Gala hosted by Salem’s Catholic Community Services, an organization that plays a vital role in supporting individuals and families in need throughout our community. It was an inspiring evening celebrating the compassion, service, and dedication behind this important work.
Pictured alongside me is Salem Mayor Julie Hoy and Catholic Community Services CEO, Josh Graves. |
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I was honored to attend the unveiling of the Gold Star Families Memorial in Keizer to remember and pay tribute to the brave men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom. Standing alongside the Keizer community at the memorial located in Keizer Rapids Park, we honored Gold Star families who have lost family members—a powerful reminder of the profound cost of liberty and the enduring strength of these families.
I encourage everyone to visit the Ryan J Hill Memorial Park at Keizer Station located near Keizer Permanente to take a moment to reflect, remember, and honor the courageous men and women who gave their lives in service to our nation.
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It is always an honor to represent you in the Oregon Legislature. If there are things my office can assist you with in the months to come, do not hesitate to reach out via the information below.
Yours truly,
 Representative Kevin Mannix
House District 21
Capitol Phone: 503-986-1421
Capitol Address: 900 Court St. NE, H-384, Salem, Oregon 97301
Email: Rep.KevinMannix@oregonlegislature.gov
Website: https://www.oregonlegislature.gov/mannix
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