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Dear friends,
As our state battles a record wildfire season (and it's only early August!), smoke from fires has become a health concern, not only on the east side of our state where most of the fires are burning but also here in the Willamette Valley. Please take a moment to review this information from the Oregon Health Authority on how to keep yourself and loved ones safe and informed amid poor air quality. You can find more localized information on Lane Regional Air Protection Agency's website.
Please also be cautious and follow all fire restrictions. We can't forget how devastating these fires are for people who depend on the land for their livelihoods — farmers and ranchers are being hit particularly hard.
Photo credit: OPB
From September 8-10, the Legislature will meet in Salem for another set of "legislative days." This is an opportunity for committees to hold informational hearings in the lead-up to the 2027 session (which is right around the corner, kicking off in January). You can review committee agendas and watch live proceedings (and recordings) using the Legislature's online information system. Please note: With Labor Day on Monday, September 7, this set of legislative days will begin the following day (Tuesday) and run through Thursday.
Below you will find information on:
- Statewide Wildfire Hotline: Call 211
- Session Accomplishments: Environment & Wildfire
- ODVA 2026 Veteran Benefit Expo in Roseburg: August 28
- LTD Connect 2045 Open House: August 11
- Oregon Adoption Day
- Work Zone Safety
I hope this information is helpful and informative for you or someone you know. As always, feel free to share your comments, questions or concerns with me by phone, mail or e-mail.
Statewide Wildfire Hotline
Oregonians affected by wildfires or wildfire smoke — whether they've lost a home, evacuated, are sheltering in place, or are dealing with poor air quality — can now call 1-833-699-0554, available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The line is staffed by 211info; missed calls get a callback within one business day. 211info will work with local communities to connect people with existing programs and local resources.
(Please note: This is not an emergency line. People with active emergencies should still call 911.)
Session Accomplishments: Environment & Wildfire
Following the 2026 short Legislative Session, I'm sharing in-depth summaries of bills passed by subject area. Below is a comprehensive listing of accomplishments related to environment & wildfire — by Senate/House bill and in numeric order:
Senate Bills
SB 1551 - Fire-hardened Homes: Some homeowner associations and planned community covenant documents have restrictive rules that prevent people from using fire-hardened materials on and around their homes. This legislation prohibits homeowner associations from not allowing homeowners to make fire-safe improvements to their homes, allowing Oregonians to take precautions against the threat of wildfires.
SB 1590 - Public Lands Promise: This legislation rejects attempts at federal overreach on Oregon's lands. It prohibits state and local governments from assisting the federal government in selling public land to private entities.
House Bills
HB 4029 - Solar Energy Contractors: Solar energy is a growing percentage of the state's energy production. However, this growth in residential solar has led some companies to use misleading tactics, including door-to-door sellers misrepresenting who they work for or making false claims. This legislation protects Oregonians from fraud by requiring sales agents and solar energy contractors to hold licenses that are appropriate for the work they perform. HB 4029 also prohibits deceptive statements with violations penalized under the Unlawful Trade Practices Act.
HB 4077 - Debt Securitization: In the wake of escalating wildfire and climate threats, utilities have needed to pursue additional insurance to protect the cost and reliability of the services they provide. HB 4077 allows a public utility to issue bonds and securitize debt for costs and expenses it incurs in connection with a self-insurance or captive insurance program.
HB 4100 - CEI Hub: Oregon law defines bulk oils or liquid fuels terminals as high-capacity industrial facilities with significant transport and storage infrastructure, primarily in Columbia, Multnomah, and Lane counties. Oversight and regulatory authority for these facilities is vested in the Environmental Quality Commission, which sets policies, adopts rules, and enforces compliance through the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ). This legislation requires owners or operators of bulk oils and liquid fuels terminals to obtain a certificate of financial responsibility from the DEQ.
HB 4134 - Transient Lodging Tax Increase / 1.25 Percent for Wildlife: As Oregon reckons with a tight budget environment, our natural resource agencies and local governments are feeling the squeeze. This legislation secures a dedicated funding stream for Oregon's natural resources and wildlife by increasing the statewide transient lodging tax on short-term lodging.
HB 4144 - Battery Producer Responsibility: Each year, Oregonians throw away over a million pounds of batteries, many of which can become hazardous and start fires when they end up in landfills and recycling carts. HB 4144 takes a proactive approach to preventing disasters before they start by establishing a statewide battery recycling program designed to keep batteries out of our waste system. It also establishes battery collection sites around the state so people have a safe way to dispose of batteries.
HJM 201 - Urging Congress to Pass Legislation to Extend Federal Tax Cuts for Wildfire Victims: The federal Disaster Tax Relief Act of 2023 excluded wildfire relief payments from federal taxation until 2025. Beginning in 2026, some wildfire-related settlement payments will be subject to federal income tax. This legislation urges Congress to pass legislation to permanently extend federal tax cuts for wildfire victims.
ODVA 2026 Veteran Benefit Expo in Roseburg: August 28
The Oregon Department of Veterans' Affairs (ODVA) will host its annual Veteran Benefit Expo, Oregon's largest statewide veteran resource event, on Friday, August 28, from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday at the Douglas County Fairgrounds in Roseburg.
Presented by the Oregon Department of Veterans' Affairs in partnership with the Oregon Lottery, the Veteran Benefit Expo brings together dozens of federal, state, county, Tribal, nonprofit, educational and community organizations to connect veterans, service members and their families with the benefits, services and opportunities they have earned through their service.
Participating organizations, service providers and veteran benefit and resource experts will be on hand to provide information and direct assistance across a wide range of topics, including VA health care, disability claims, housing, employment, education, long-term care, mental health, recreation, emergency assistance and more. The event will also feature a dedicated Veterans Job Fair connecting attendees with employers and workforce development partners.
The Expo is free and open to the public. Organizations interested in exhibiting at the Veteran Benefit Expo may register through Aug. 10. There is no cost to participate, though space is limited. Additional information about the event, including exhibitor registration and event details, is available at expo.oregondva.com.
LTD Connect 2045 Open House: August 11
Lane Transit District is developing Connect 2045, a long-range mobility plan that will guide transit investments and services in Lane County over the next 20 years. They'd like your input!
Please join LTD for its Connect 2045 Open House:
- When: Tuesday, August 11, 2026, 5:30–7:00 p.m.
- Where: Springfield City Hall (225 N. 5th St., Springfield)
At the open house, you can:
- Learn about the project and next steps;
- Share how transit can better meet community needs and
- Identify your top transportation priorities for the future.
Community member perspective is important. LTD encourages you to share this invitation with family, friends and others who have an interest in the future of transportation in Lane County.
Oregon Adoption Day
In 2025, the Oregon Legislature came together with strong bipartisan support to establish August 25 as Oregon Adoption Day — an annual day to recognize, honor, and celebrate adoption in all its forms.
With Oregon's second-annual Adoption Day just weeks away, Oregonians are being invited to share their personal connections to adoption as part of a statewide contest to help create the official Oregon Adoption Day logo. The selected design will inspire a lasting symbol that will represent Oregon Adoption Day for years to come.
Here are the contest details:
- Open to Oregon residents with a personal connection to adoption
- Entry deadline: August 11
- Winner announced: August 25 (Oregon Adoption Day)
- Submit logo and entry forms to: Rep.LucettaElmer@oregonlegislature.gov
The entry form can be accessed, here.
Creation of Oregon Adoption Day was a bipartisan effort. I hope we can continue that spirit by celebrating the many adoption stories that have shaped families and communities throughout our state.
Work Zone Safety
With the busy summer driving season upon us, workers around Oregon are putting their lives on the line to keep our roads safe, clear, and flowing smoothly. From construction crews and flaggers to tow truck drivers and incident responders, these workers are often just feet — sometimes inches — from passing vehicles.
Work zones are a shared space. As drivers, we are part of it, and our choices directly impact the safety of those working there. We can help by:
- Paying attention. Distracted driving is one of the top causes of work zone crashes.
- Slowing down. Speed limits in work zones are set for everyone's safety.
- Moving over. It's Oregon law—when you see roadside workers, emergency responders, or maintenance crews, move over or slow down five miles below the speed limit.
- Planning ahead. Check TripCheck.com or call 511 for up-to-date road and work zone conditions.
Remember: Fines double in all work zones, even if workers aren't present.
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