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To contact me, please click here: Rep.AnnaScharf@oregonlegislature.gov
Dear Friends,
Since most policy committees have ended, the days are now filled with extra-long House Floor sessions.
As I have discussed in previous newsletters, the wildfire maps desperately need fixed because the current system which was put in place, on a party line vote, back in 2021 with the passage of SB 762, have only caused insurance increases for Oregonians, and uncertainty for homeowners.
SB 83 has been fully vetted with bi-partisan support and passed out of the Senate unanimously on April 22nd. Yet, the bill remains in the House Committee on Rules as a way for the majority party, and the Governor to leverage your kicker.
So, this week, my colleagues and I made a motion to pull the SB 83 from the House Committee on Rules to the Floor for a vote. As with most bills pulled to the floor for immediate consideration, the motion failed.
However, this bill pull garnered more bi-partisan support than most with 8 Democrats joining the Republicans in voting yes. Unfortunately, it was not enough to get to 31 due to 3 Republican members being absent.
With wildfire season underway already, this is not the time to play partisan politics. As my colleague Rep. Osborne (R-Roseburg) said:
“We have had almost 40 years to reform wildfire funding and House Democrats are now using these flawed wildfire maps as leverage to take away money from the same people that voted for them.”
One party rule for almost 40 years has controlled wildfire funding and the policies that have contributed to the increased fuel loads in our forests as well as the ability to mitigate forest fire. Now, the solution is to hold hostage the repeal of a flawed map, which the majority party passed originally, so that the Governor can justify stealing the kicker from hardworking Oregonians. Remember, the kicker is money entrusted to the State by taxpayers that the State did not spend because the State said at the time they did not need it to meet the budget. Now the State says they don’t want to give it back? Why is the Legislature doing the bidding of the Governor?
With Sine Dine being declared Imminent (shortened time requirements for public hearings and work sessions to be posted), things will start moving at a faster pace and it also means some things will become bargaining chips; like the wildfire map for the Governor.
We are closing in on the end of the 2025 Legislative Session, but there is still much to be done, and in all honesty, the hard work and the politics is just beginning.
Stay tuned for updates!
Sincerely,
 Anna Scharf
State Representative - HD 23
Gun Legislation
SB 243 passed the Senate on a party-line vote this week and now awaits referral in the House Chamber. This is a deeply flawed gun control bill that infringes on the constitutional rights of legal, responsible gun owners to defend themselves while doing nothing to keep firearms away from criminals.
SB 243 expands “gun-free zones” by allowing local governments to prohibit CHL holders from carrying in public buildings without requiring those facilities to offer additional security measures. There is no credible evidence that concealed handgun license holders pose a risk to public safety. However, there multiple stories of crimes being stopped by CHL holders legally pulling their weapon and stopping crimes in progress
In addition, local governments will not have the budget to install metal detectors or add layers of security like we have at the State Capitol building, so simply posting signs that says, “gun free zone” is the equivalent of saying “easy target here”. As a homeowner, would you leave your house unlocked with a neon sign in the window that says, “Safe House – NO LOCKS”?
SB 243 also criminalizes the transport, transfer or manufacturing of bump stocks, making the crime a Class B Felony which is on the same level as possession of child pornography (ORS163.686), Aggravated Theft (ORS 164.057), Assault in the second degree (ORS 163.175), just to name a few. A Class B Felony is punishable by up to 7 years in prison and fines up to $250,000. When the bill takes affect if you simply possess or receive (even as a gift) a bump stock, something you can legally purchase today, it will be a Class A misdemeanor which is punishable by up to 364 days in prison, a $6,250 fine or both. Many current law-abiding Oregonian will be instant criminals the day this bill becomes law.
Education Funding
The education budget has been advanced via SB 5516 - allocating $11.4 billion to the State School Fund, the highest amount Oregon has ever allocated. Over $1 billion more than the previous biennium’s amount despite student test scores below the national average, one of the lowest graduation rates in the nation, and one of the highest rates of chronic absenteeism in the nation.
In addition, no bills have been passed this session to shore up Special Education funding or address other issues raised by parents.
Other bills, however have been passed that will cut into the $11.4B should such situations arise. Such as Unemployment pay for striking teachers, SB916 (Read more here from last weeks newsletter). Or, impacts to school building projects if they can’t meet the mandatory apprenticeship requirements, which passed in HB3881 (read more here). Sometimes it feels like 2 steps forward and 5 steps back.
Also, this budget allocation does NOT include any federal money Oregon may receive, which was an additional $2.6 billion for the 2023-2025 biennium. Federal funding for education is uncertain at this time, however, as President Trump just added Oregon to the list of states now under investigation by the Department of Justice for potential Title IX violations. The impact of that choice by ODE and OSAA will most likely play out in the courts.
School Tours
School tours are available!
Please use this form https://oregoncapitol.com/school-tour-request-form/ or call 503-986-1388. School tours are booked first come, first served.
In addition to our on-site tour program, we will continue to offer a live guided virtual tour program. Virtual tours are available at 9:15 a.m. Tuesday and Wednesdays for up to 100 students. If you are interested in scheduling this option, please fill out this form https://oregoncapitol.com/virtual-tour-form/ or call us at 503-986-1388.
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Kalamath Water Association
 Talking water bills with the Klamath Water Users Association. Dave Henslee, Klamath County Commissioner Andy Nichols, and Executive Director Elizabeth Nielsen.
Sugarbeet Day
 Sugarbeet Growers Day in the Capitol. Our family farm has grown sugarbeets for seed before as a rotation crop so it was wonderful to meet with these growers and processors at the Capitol. Oregon is the #1 producer in the US for sugarbeet seed.
Amity High School
 Governor Tina Kotek and I visited Amity High School’s Construction Trades program, led by John Stearns. I invited the Governor out last fall after John received a national award from Harbor Freight Tools for his work with the students and with Team Oregon Build. Amity High School is in HD 24, but the students cross over both HD 23 and HD 24. Student success and this program have no boundaries. The work these students and similar programs located at other schools throughout the regions (who also joined us) are doing is amazing. They are not only serving the community but they are learning skills and gaining insight into construction career opportunities.
Zena Forest Products
 Have you heard of Zena Forest Products? The next time you are the Portland airport looking at the amazing remodel, look down at the stunning wood flooring. That was produced right here in HD 23! Zena Forest Products produces flooring and other products from sustainably harvested wood, from local resources and it is all beautifully crafted right here in HD 23. Read more about Zena here.
Support Small Business
 Oregon Business Industries is hosting a contest for the coolest things made in Oregon. Do you know a business that should be nominated? You can nominate a product here.
Avenue of Flags
 Here are more photos sent to me by the American Legion Post 20 from Memorial Day at the Dallas Avenue of Flags. You can learn about that event here.
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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