Legislative Update from Rep. Anna Scharf

Oregon State Legislature sent this bulletin at 07/25/2024 10:53 AM PDT

Replies to this message are sent to an unmonitored mailbox.
To contact me, please click here: Rep.AnnaScharf@oregonlegislature.gov

Dear Friends,

I hope your summer is going well and you are enjoying the cooler weather this week. If you are traveling about our beautiful state, please stay up to date on the latest wildfire closures and impacted areas by checking TripCheck. Pray for our neighbors around the state as they battle to protect their communities, their homes and their livelihoods.

There are many important updates I want to bring to your attention. Please read the below information and specifically ways for you to engage throughout the community. As always, my office is here to help with any questions or concerns.

Sincerely,

Anna Scharf
State Representative - HD 23

Oregon Consumer Privacy Act

As of July 1, Oregonians have a new and powerful set of consumer privacy rights and protections with the enactment of the Oregon Consumer Privacy Act (OCPA).

The OCPA defines personal and biometric data broadly, protects consumer data rights holistically, and holds companies that have access to our data to high standards.

The Act also gives consumers control over how businesses use their personal data. It guarantees Oregonians affirmative rights to manage and safeguard their personal data. Read more detailed information here

Wildfires

The Oregon Department of Forestry is urging the public to actively practice wildfire prevention as the state works to control over 27 large fires. Additional human-caused fires on the landscape will only increase the needed response, drawing our firefighting efforts even thinner than they are currently. Placing extra strain on ground and aviation resources is not what our state needs now.

While many of the wildfires started due to lightening strikes, there are also a number that have been human caused. So, remember, like Smokey the Bear has been saying since 1947 “Only you can prevent forest fires”.

YOU can help prevent wildfires by:

Checking and following your local fire regulations. The majority of the state is either in high or extreme fire danger right now, meaning even the smallest of sparks could start the next large wildfire.
Remember that debris burning is prohibited statewide.
Return to check on your burn site if you burned earlier in the year.
Make sure your car has been recently serviced to avoid faulty parts throwing sparks.
Don't drag tow chains.
Avoid parking vehicles on tall, dry grass.
Recreate responsibly. Where campfires are allowed, make sure your campfire is DEAD OUT before leaving it by drowning it with water, stirring it with a shovel and repeating that process until it is cold to the touch. If there is heat coming off it, there are still embers that could reignite.

Newberg Dundee Transportation Project

Do you drive, walk or ride in Newberg and Dundee? If so, this project will impact you. ODOT is preparing for an upcoming project to make transportation throughout the community more accessible by rebuilding or installing more than 400 ADA curb ramps in Newberg and Dundee starting as early as spring 2025.

Find more information about this project here.

Speaking of transportation, as I mentioned in a previous newsletter, the Joint Committee on Transportation is doing a 12 stop tour throughout Oregon to help better shape policy for the 2025 Legislative Session with the goal being to create a "transportation package." As you can imagine, there are many different opinions as to how funds will be raised for this transportation package and what projects will be funded. If you want to learn more, OBP did a great article on this subject that you can read here.

Pictured above from last week, I joined the Committee at the tour stop scheduled in Albany. During the round table discussion, it was great to hear from community leaders from around HD 23 advocating for specific, and much needed, projects in HD 23.

Projects included the completion of the Newberg Dundee bypass, the interchange at HWY 22 and 51 going into Salem, the intersection at Kings-Valley Highway and HWY 22 and the intersection at the McCoy junction on HEY 99. All sections of highway in HD 23 that are dangerous, congested, and have been on the ODOT list for many years. Thank you to the community leaders who took the time to attend the roundtable and share the needs of our constituents.

Marion and Polk Counties Community Input

Every couple years, health care providers and counties work together to conduct a community health assessment, which forms the basis for a community health improvement plan. Join the below event to get engaged and share your input!

Wildfire-Urban Interface Maps

Drafts of new statewide wildfire hazard and wildland-urban interface (WUI) maps developed by Oregon State University scientists have been released for public review and comment. The maps can be viewed here. The Oregon Department of Forestry will accept public comment on the draft maps through August 18 at hazardmap@odf.oregon.gov.