As your State Representative for House District 40, I’m focused on fighting for the issues that matter most to our community—ensuring every Oregonian has the support, resources, and opportunities they need to thrive. Whether it’s strengthening our childcare and human services system, lowering costs for working families, protecting survivors of abuse, or safeguarding Oregon’s water and land, my priorities are rooted in real conversations with the people I represent. We’re also facing serious challenges at the federal level, including attacks on Medicaid and other essential programs that keep families, seniors, and people with disabilities safe and healthy. I am committed to defending Medicaid and protecting Oregonians from harmful cuts that would leave our most vulnerable without care.
 I am honored to be Chair of the House Committee on Early Childhood and Human Services this session. As a working mother and lifelong advocate for families, I know how critical early childhood education, childcare access, and family support services are to the well-being of our communities. In this role, I am committed to advancing policies that expand affordable, high-quality childcare, strengthen resources for foster youth and families in crisis, and support the dedicated professionals who provide these essential services. By prioritizing our youngest and most vulnerable Oregonians and those who care for them, we are making investments that strengthen families, communities, and our state’s future.
Too many Oregonians are struggling with the rising costs of housing, utilities, and everyday essentials. Families in our district are already stretched thin, and the last thing they need is skyrocketing bills, unfair tolls, or policies that make it even harder to stay in their homes. This session, I’m focused on real solutions to keep life affordable and ensure working families have the stability and security they deserve. Fighting I-205 Tolling
One of the biggest fights we’re facing is against the possibility of tolling on I-205. Clackamas County families shouldn’t be the ones footing the bill for a transportation system that already leaves them with few options. I’ve been standing with our community to demand accountability and fairness, and I won’t stop until our voices are heard. That’s why I’m chief sponsoring bills, including HB 2946 and SB 1117, which call for comprehensive audits of ODOT, along with SB 1118, which prohibits tolls on I-205. Stopping Utility Rate Increases
Alongside this, I’m working to rein in unchecked utility rate increases. We’ve seen power and water bills climb, with families having little say in the matter. That’s why I’m sponsoring HB 3179, which gives the Public Utility Commission the authority to review major rate hikes, demand cost transparency, and set fair rates. I’m also championing low-income water ratepayer assistance funding through HB 3527 to help protect families from water shutoffs, which often lead to evictions and property condemnations. Supporting Oregon’s Aging Population
As Oregon’s population ages, we must ensure that our policies reflect the needs of older adults. HB 3497 establishes the Shared Future Oregon Task Force to develop a comprehensive plan for promoting healthy aging and preparing for the challenges that come with a growing senior population. This initiative will bring together public agencies and community leaders to address housing, workforce, caregiving, and economic security for older Oregonians, making our state more inclusive and supportive for people of all ages. Housing Stability
Housing stability remains at the core of economic security. Through HB 3521, I’m pushing for stronger tenant protections to ensure renters aren’t forced to accept dilapidated housing or risk losing their hold deposits. At the same time, I’m fighting for HB 3522 to close loopholes that allow squatters to stay in properties longer while landlords are stuck navigating slow legal processes. Property owners should have a clear path to reclaiming their homes without unnecessary delays. I’m also sponsoring a bill that allows nonprofits, including churches, to develop housing on their land (HB 2964) and another bill ensuring that age discrimination doesn’t keep young people—especially those who are newly emancipated or experiencing homelessness—from securing a place to live (HB 3523). Additionally, HB 2968 encourages cities to defer their system development charges to reduce the cost of building housing, ensuring more homes are built at a lower cost. Finally, I’m fighting to make sure Oregon invests in the small farms and local food hubs that keep our communities fed (HB 2979). By directing resources toward farmers' markets and food distribution programs, we can strengthen our local food economy and make fresh, healthy food more accessible to everyone.
Survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, and human trafficking deserve a justice system that recognizes their experiences and ensures their safety. Too often, legal barriers and systemic gaps leave survivors without access to the resources, protection, and justice they need. This session, I’m championing policies that break down these barriers, hold perpetrators accountable, and strengthen support for survivors across Oregon. Expanding Access to Justice for Survivors
Survivors should never be denied justice because of arbitrary legal time limits. That’s why I am fighting to eliminate statutes of limitations on felony sex crimes (HB 3581) and civil sexual abuse claims (HB 3582). Trauma and fear often delay survivors from coming forward, and our legal system must reflect that reality by allowing them to seek justice on their own terms. Additionally, HB 3583 ensures that judges can consider the impact of domestic and sexual violence when sentencing survivors who have committed crimes against their abusers. No survivor should be punished without a full understanding of the abuse they may have endured. Protecting and Supporting Vulnerable Children
Oregon must do more to protect children from exploitation and abuse. I am leading efforts to ensure that child sex trafficking victims are treated as victims, not criminals (HB 3584) by placing them in protective custody instead of the justice system. I am also working to modernize protections for children (HB 2474) by changing the definition of familial abuse to include adoptive siblings, step-siblings, and children of intimate partners. Current Oregon law fails to explicitly define what constitutes “lewd” images in child pornography cases, allowing some perpetrators to evade charges. HB 2974 clarifies what kinds of images are prohibited under the child pornography statute to ensure offenders cannot exploit technicalities to avoid justice. We must also act to end child marriage, a practice that leaves minors vulnerable to coercion, abuse, and exploitation. SB 548 eliminates the legal loopholes that allow 17-year-olds to be married with only a parent's written consent, and ensures that marriage is a fully informed, voluntary decision made by legal adults, not a tool for coercion or control. Strengthening Strangulation Laws
Strangulation is one of the most lethal forms of domestic violence, with victims 750% more likely to be murdered by their abuser. Despite this, Oregon law treats strangulation as a Class C felony, with a maximum presumptive sentence of just two months in prison for first-time offenders. HB 3585 elevates strangulation to a Class B felony, ensuring abusers face appropriate consequences and giving survivors more time to seek safety. I’m also working to ensure strangulation is treated as a separate offense from assault (HB 2975), so abusers don’t escape accountability. Addressing Emerging Forms of Harm
Technology has introduced new forms of abuse that must be addressed. I’m sponsoring legislation to ban AI-generated deepfake pornography (HB 2299) and ensure that victims of this abuse have legal recourse. I’m also supporting legislation to combat cyberflashing–the unsolicited, electronic sending of explicit images (HB 3766). Additionally, I am leading efforts to prohibit “stealthing” (HB 3586), the non-consensual removal of a condom during sex, by allowing victims to file lawsuits. Sustaining Critical Victim Services
Survivors rely on essential services, yet funding cuts threaten their availability. I am fighting to backfill the 42% federal cut to Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) funding (HB 3196), ensuring that emergency shelters, legal advocacy, and trauma-informed services remain intact. Additionally, I am working to secure permanent funding for Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) certification (HB 3070) to address the shortage of trained forensic exam providers, and to modernize the SAVE Fund (HB 2456) so that forensic medical exams for survivors of sexual assault and strangulation remain fully funded. Ensuring a Trauma-Informed Judicial System
Finally, survivors deserve to be met with understanding and fairness in court. That is why I’m supporting SB 710, which establishes mandatory judicial education on domestic violence and sexual assault, ensuring that judges are trained in trauma-informed responses and the realities survivors face.
 Oregon’s natural beauty and resources define our way of life. From clean drinking water to thriving forests and farmlands, protecting our environment is essential for our communities and future generations. This session, I am championing legislation to safeguard our water, land, and wildlife while respecting the deep stewardship traditions of Oregon’s Tribal communities. Through commonsense policies, we can ensure that our natural resources remain healthy, accessible, and sustainable for all Oregonians. Ensuring Safe Drinking Water for All
No Oregonian should have to worry about whether their drinking water is safe. That’s why I’m championing HB 3525, which requires landlords to test well water regularly and disclose results to tenants, closing a dangerous loophole that leaves rural renters vulnerable to contaminated water. Similarly, HB 3526 strengthens protections for homebuyers by requiring that sellers of properties with domestic wells provide well water test results to buyers before a sale is finalized. Strengthening Tribal Partnerships in Natural Resource Management
Oregon’s Tribal nations have been the original stewards of this land for thousands of years. To ensure their leadership in resource management, I’m supporting HB 3530, which establishes a Tribal Natural Resources Liaison to facilitate coordination between Tribal governments and state agencies. This measure will enhance co-management efforts and advance integrated water resource strategies that reflect traditional ecological knowledge. Additionally, HB 3198 strengthens the state's response to the crisis of missing and murdered Indigenous people (MMIP), ensuring dedicated resources for victim services, outreach, and interagency coordination. Preserving Agricultural Land for Future Generations
Oregon’s farms and ranches are the backbone of our economy and culture. To support farmland conservation and help family farms plan for the future, I’m advocating for HB 3131, which funds the Oregon Agricultural Heritage Program. This initiative provides farmers with tools to preserve working lands, implement climate-friendly practices, and ensure that Oregon’s agricultural legacy continues for generations to come. Investing in Water Resilience and Conservation
To tackle emerging water challenges, HB 3528 provides funding to empower local organizations and Tribal governments to address aging infrastructure and promote sustainable water use. Additionally, HB 3341 expands funding for the Community Drinking Water Enhancement and Protection Fund, ensuring that small and rural communities have the resources they need to protect their drinking water sources for generations to come. Protecting Our Wildlife and Ecosystems
As human activity increasingly encroaches on natural habitats, we must take proactive steps to reduce conflicts and support wildlife conservation. HB 2980 creates a Wildlife Stewardship Program within the Department of Fish and Wildlife, funding new biologists, public education initiatives, and grants for wildlife rehabilitation centers. By promoting responsible stewardship and enhancing public awareness, we can protect Oregon’s diverse ecosystems while fostering coexistence between people and wildlife. Fighting Invasive Species and Safeguarding Waterways
Aquatic invasive species pose a growing threat to Oregon’s lakes and rivers, endangering native fish populations and damaging ecosystems. HB 2982 strengthens our prevention efforts by securing sustainable funding for aquatic invasive species inspection programs, ensuring that we can protect Oregon’s waters from destructive invaders like quagga and zebra mussels.
In addition to the bills listed under my three main priorities, I am introducing and signing onto several other important pieces of legislation. Please see the “Bills” section to see the complete and updated list!
| |
|
