Please see the below update regarding the first week of the 2024 Legislative Short Session.
My schedule was extremely busy and things are happening at a rapid pace, it feels like it's already been a month rather than just five days.
Next week, I will include a “good bill / bad bill list” of legislation as we will have better visibility of what is moving forward and what is dead with the first committee deadline being February 12th.
Outside if committee meetings, lobby and constituent meetings, testimonies, etc; there was not much time for fun meetings this week. However, it was so great to have my daughter home for a few days with other universities to lobby for higher education needs. (Pictured with one of the many groups of college students advocating for their education.)
I hope you find this update helpful. As always, please reach out with any questions or concerns.
Sincerely,
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 Anna Scharf
State Representative - HD 23
HB 4013 - Bottle bill changes
This bill requests an extension to a deadline for which wineries have to implement how to recycle wine bottles; whether wineries will join the Oregon Beverage Recycling Cooperative (OBRC) or create their own process through the new Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) program. HB 4013 had a public hearing this week and received broad support. It is schedule for additional hearing time next week. Read more here.
HCR 201 - Dallas celebration
Dallas turns 150 years old this year and HCR 201 as a formal state recognition of that accomplishment. HCR 201 had a public hearing and work session this week in the House Committee on Rules, and will be voted on the House Floor next week.
HB 4032 - Incumbent titles (committee bill I requested)
Last Fall during Legislative Days, I asked the Secretary of State to explain to me why Judges are the only candidate on the ballot with the title of “Incumbent”. They offered to get back to me during Legislative Days in November. However, that did not happen. Legislative Council was able to provide the history to me and after review I felt that in today’s current political environment, there needed to be a change to this historical practice. The Chair of House Rules agreed to entertain the change as a committee bill.
HB 4032 had a public hearing this week and I am optimistic that it will be scheduled for a work session shortly. Read more here.
HB 4059 - Brassica pinning map and isolation regulations
This is another committee bill, a carryover from the 2023 session, and is a 13 year old conversation that needs a permanent solution. During the 2023 session SB 789 was introduced to keep canola in the Willamette Valley capped at 500 acres. The same limit it has been at since the Legislature funded an OSU study back in 2013 through HB 2427. The 500 acres was originally determined for research purposes, and was not intended to be permanent. This session, we hope that HB 4059 will be a permanent equitable solution for all brassica to coexist in the Willamette Valley.
The bill is scheduled for a hearing next week.
When the legislature denied having a Special Session in January, we new it was just a matter of time before a law suit was presented. The Oregon Truckers Association are now suing the State for unconstitutional overtaxing, which is why I joined Sen. Brian Boquist in initiating the process to request the Special Session.
Last week, Rep. Shelly Boshart Davis sent out this presser and I stand behind her statement.
The Oregon Revenue Forecast was released this week and thanks to personal income and corporate taxes, the forecast anticipated an extra $130 million in cash on hand. This brings the biennium to $1.7 billion available in funding that has not yet been spent. As I mentioned in my last newsletter, ODOT is seeking more funds, ODFW needs wildfire funds, Governor Kotek is requesting $500 million for her housing package, etc. etc.
The final spending packages, for the additional revenue, will come out of the Joint Committee on Ways and Means. Many of those bills will be in the form of omnibus packages making it challenging to vote for since there will be good and not so good spending allocations in them.
Capitol Phone: 503-986-1423
Capitol Address: 900 Court St NE, H-387, Salem, OR 97301
Email: Rep.AnnaScharf@oregonlegislature.gov
Website: https://www.oregonlegislature.gov/scharf
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