Inside Salem

By Jeff Helfrich, For The Mountain Times

As the gavel fell on the 2026 short legislative session last week, I stood in the House chamber reflecting on what we achieved for Oregon families. In a Democrat-controlled Capitol, I had to fight hard for practical, pro-growth policies. We didn’t win every battle, but we delivered real results that protect jobs, strengthen public safety, and ease regulatory burdens. This was a session of compromise and progress — proof that working together can still matter in Salem.

I came into this session with a goal: fix Oregon’s broken recreational liability laws. I have worked on this issue for the better part of two years. For years, insurers have fled the state, crippling our $17 billion industry. I used one of my two priority bills and sponsored HB 4071, bringing Oregon in line with every neighboring Western state and protecting rafting guides, ski resorts, rock gyms, and summer camps from frivolous lawsuits. As politics would have it, my bill died. 

There were several times this Session where the issue seemed dead. However, after weeks of talks with the Governor, speaking to Legislative Leadership, and staying at the table, SB 1517 was amended and passed overwhelmingly. Thanks largely to the bipartisan coalition I helped build, and with my lawyer colleagues (Reps Emerson Levy, Kim Wallen, and Senator McLane) crafting the best version of the language, I am proud to say we have an Oregon solution on this issue. I never gave up because my communities needed this legislation. I wanted to show what can be accomplished when we set aside our differences, get back to basics, and are solution oriented.

There were other wins this session as well. Kristie’s Law (HB 4045), sponsored by Rep. Kevin Mannix, strengthens protections for victims of stalking and domestic violence. Bipartisan ethics reforms advanced transparency and accountability in state government, curbing the influence of special interests. The Republican Caucus proved we can deliver results when we stay focused on what matters: safer communities and a stronger economy. 

As I reflect on my time in the House, this session feels especially bittersweet. This is my final year in the chamber I’ve been proud to serve since 2022. I leave with a record of tangible accomplishments: leading the charge to recriminalize hard drugs in 2024 after Measure 110’s failure flooded our streets with fentanyl, and passing campaign finance reform to cap big-money influence and restore fairness to our elections. In my tenure, I have been able to secure the full $125 million from the state needed for the Hood River/White Salmon Bridge replacement project, ensuring our communities have a safe bridge for generations to come. These wins didn’t come easily, but they made our state safer and more prosperous. To my constituents and colleagues — thank you. While it’s hard to say goodbye to this chamber, I hope the voters see fit to let me represent them in the Senate.

As always, you can reach me at Rep.JeffHelfrich@oregonlegislature.gov or (503) 986-1452. My office and I look forward to hearing from you.