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To contact me, please click here: Rep.AnnaScharf@oregonlegislature.gov
Dear Friends,
Don't forget this weekend is Daylight Savings Time! In 2019 the legislature passed SB 320, which asked Congress to approve for Oregon to stay permanently on Daylight Savings Time. Congress has yet to approve this request.
This year, legislators are trying to pass legislation that would keep Oregon on permanent Standard Time which does not require Congressional approval. SB 566 and SB 1038 had public hearings earlier this week. You can read more here.
On another note...it was like Groundhog Day for me this week health wise. I ended up back in the Dallas ER Monday night with another plug up my nose to stop the bleeding again. However, this time there was no way I could stay home another week. I had HCR 12 coming to the floor for a vote Tuesday morning (see story below), and two bills that I sponsored were up for public hearings on Wednesday (both bills would have a positive impact our county fairgrounds – you can watch my testimony here).
So, I sucked it up and went to work. Tube hanging out of my face and all. I will forever have to look at that on OLIS, but there was work to do. Sometimes you just do what you have to do. Still no answers health wise, but we will get to the bottom of it eventually. Doctors are working on it.
In the meantime, I want to thank all of you for the incredible emails and calls with well wishes and prayers. It has meant the world to me.
Sincerely,
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 Anna Scharf
State Representative - HD 23
Labor –HB 2548 Public Hearing Wednesday 3/12 @ 3pm
Ag Workforce Standards Board. This bill would create an independent board that would determine wages, benefits, working conditions, etc. for all agricultural workers throughout the state. Farm owners would have no say in their own business. This will be the end of most family-owned farms in Oregon that will not be able to do what the “standards board” comes up with financially. There is no farm size exemption. This applies to EVERY farm in the state.
Here's a really easy way to email legislators to voice opposition.
Climate & Energy – HB 3477 – Public Hearing Tuesday 3/11 @ 8am
This bill modifies the greenhouse gas emission goals for the state. It changes the term in law from global warming to climate change and adds in definitions for “new negative emissions and net zero emissions”. It also updates the state greenhouse gas level goals. The original goal was by 2020 to be 10% below 1990 levels. It adds that by 2030 the state will be 45% below 1990 levels, by 2040 it will be 70% below 1990 levels and by 2050 it will be 95% below 1990 levels. The original 2040 goal was 75%. This raises it to 90% and adds in incremental measurements. It also adds net zero emission goals by 2050. This bill sets the stage for DEQ and other state agencies to fast track rule making to meet goals that will make no difference in the global emissions numbers, and the cost to do so will be done with Oregon tax payer dollars.
Climate & Energy – HB 3512 – Public Hearing Thursday 3/13 @ 8am
Prohibits the distribution or sale of certain covered products that contain intentionally added perfluoroalkyl or polyfluoroalkyl substances. Requires a manufacturer of covered products to provide a certificate of compliance to persons that sell or distribute covered products in this state. What is Perfluoroalkyl, it is more commonly known as PFAS.
It is found in artificial turf, automotive wash and wax products, cookware, cosmetics, cleaning products, carpet, dental floss, packaging, menstrual products, textile products, computer products, medical devices, mattresses, etc.
This bill says: “ A person may not manufacture, sell, offer for sale or distribute in or into this state a new covered product that contains an intentionally added perfluoroalkyl or polyfluoroalkyl substance”. While we know PFAS is an issue, there is no replacement for many of these items at this time.
Education – HB 2009 - Public Hearing Monday 3/10 at 3pm
Requires the Department of Education to study the adequacy of public education. This bill is sponsored by Speaker Fahey and is a place holder, so be watching for last minute amendments up until 24 hours or less before the public hearing. There is no telling what this bill is really about until the amendments are made public.
Revenue – HB 2079 – Public Hearing Tuesday 3/11 at 3pm
Requires the Legislative Revenue Officer to study the property tax system in this state. This is another “study bill” which is code for a placeholder. It could morph into anything with the drop of an amendment before the hearing. It was introduced by the Chair as a committee bill but of course the minority party on the committee does not know what the intentions are, so stay alert.
HCR 12, Oregon Wheat Day, passed on the House Floor this week. I was scheduled to carry HCR 12, but I was medically sidelined, so my good friend and colleague, Rep. Shelly Boshart Davis (R-Albany) stepped up to carry the resolution.
I also invited representatives from Yamasa USA to join us for the Special Order of Business and share their delicious soy sauce with my colleagues. Yamasa is celebrating 30 years of shipping soy sauce from Salem and it is now being made with Oregon grown Hard Red wheat grown in HD 23 by Bruce and Helle Ruddenklau of Ruddenklau Farms. Wheat is one of the main ingredients in soy sauce.
Please take a moment to watch HCR 12 pass on the House Floor - designating February 11th, 2026 as Oregon Wheat Day.
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Veritas School in Newberg came to tour the Capitol. It was so fun meeting with this 4th grade class!
Be sure to attend the Cherry Blossom Day next Saturday! This event is open to the public and filled with some great music and fun activities.
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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