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To contact me, please click here: Rep.AnnaScharf@oregonlegislature.gov
Dear Friends,
This is my first official newsletter of 2026 and I cannot believe it is almost February - which means the 35-day Legislative Session is just around the corner. My office will keep you updated with information throughout the quick session as best as possible, but remember things move fast.
January has been a busy month of preparation for session and filled with meetings, travel and attending events. I am constantly reminded how blessed I am to represent HD 23 and work with such amazing people.
As always, please reach out to my office with any questions or concerns - we are here to help! Below you will find some helpful information, please take a moment to look over it.
 Anna Scharf
State Representative - HD 23
The Legislative Fiscal Office (LFO) informed us on Tuesday, February 3rd from 5-8pm there will be a public hearing on the 2026 Agency Reduction Options.
No new information on proposed agency cuts will be posted, but the public hearing is open to the public. So, if there are any particular cuts you are worried about, be sure to submit testimony or sign up to testify.
***Links to submit or register to testify will be available on OLIS on Monday, February 2nd via OLIS***
Staying Involved Throughout the Session
As we prepare to begin the session, here are a few important dates to be aware of. These deadlines shape when bills move forward and when public input is most impactful.
Session Schedule:
- First Day of Session: February 2
- First Post-Work Session Deadline: February 9
- First Chamber Deadline: February 16
- Second Post-Work Session Deadline: February 20
- Second Chamber Deadline: February 26
- Constitutional Last Day of Session: March 8
Register to testify! If there is a bill you are particularly passionate about, you may register to testify in support or opposition.
- Advance registration is required! Registration closes 30 minutes before the hearing is scheduled to begin.
- To register, go to https://olis.oregonlegislature.gov/liz/2025R1, select the “Bills” icon on the top right corner of your page, enter the bill number, and select “Register to Testify.” Or, call 1-833-588-4500.
- You will want to fill out the “Public Testimony Registration Form.”
- You will receive an email confirmation with an option to join Microsoft Teams if you cannot testify in person.
Submit Written Testimony! If you prefer not to testify in person, you can also submit written testimony in support or opposition to a bill.
- To submit written testimony, follow the same steps as you would to register to testify in front of the committee, but you will select “Submit Testimony” and fill out the “Written Testimony Submission Form.”
- Written testimony must be submitted up to 48 hours after the committee meeting start time.
Learn more at the Oregon Legislature's website.
Become an Honorary Page
The Oregon House (and Senate) are now accepting applications for the 2026 Short Legislative Session Honorary Page Program.
Learn more and apply: 2026 House Honorary Page Application
Honorary Pages gain a firsthand look at how state government works by assisting in the House Chamber, observing floor sessions, and learning directly from legislative staff. This civic education experience offers students a meaningful introduction to the legislative process and public service.
Applications are now open. Spaces are limited.
If you remember, during the 2025 Legislative Session, the big topic at hand was the transportation package. To recap, the package failed at the end of the regular session, leading to a Special Session being called during Labor Day weekend that lasted a month because the Senate needed to wait for a Democrat member to return from an illness to vote yes on the bill (HB 3991) ultimately passing it on party lines.
The Governor took almost her entire allotted time to sign the bill because she knew an initiative petition was in the works to get the legislation overturned on the ballot. However, even with the delay, MORE than enough signatures were gathered to create a ballot measure to be voted on in the NOVEMBER 2026 General Election.
Just a few weeks ago, the Governor made a statement, asking the legislative body to repeal HB 3991 during the 2026 Session, but we've recently discovered repealing HB 3991 is unconstitutional.
According to a 1935 Oregon Attorney General opinion, it is confirmed that once Oregonians invoke their constitutional right to referendum, the Legislature has no authority to repeal the measure before voters have their say. This precedent directly contradicts Governor Tina Kotek’s recent call for lawmakers to repeal her signature transportation tax package after more than 250,000 Oregonians signed a petition demanding a vote.
It is concerning that it took investigative reporting to bring attention to decisions that appear to deviate from established state policy and practice. Oregonians followed the constitutional process to request a vote, and they deserve transparency, adherence to the law, and leaders who respect the role of voters in deciding major tax policy.
Now, Democratic leadership in both chambers are proposing legislation that would move the ballot measure up to the election in May instead of November. Although I understand the desire to address transportation funding sooner rather than later, I also question the political motives of this change. The May election historically has lower voter turnout than November. In addition, many of the Democrats are running unopposed in the May primary so it is better to have it appear on that ballot than next to them in November when the voter would be reminded of which candidate the R or the D voted for the transportation package to begin with.
The bottom line is, when voters signed the petition, they signed it to send the measure to the next General Election which is scheduled for November. It should remain on the November ballot.
Registration Deadline is Approaching for OCA Young Cattlemen Leadership Program
The Oregon Cattlemen’s Association (OCA) Board of Directors and the Young Cattlemen’s Committee are excited to offer this new Leadership Program for young ranchers who want to better understand the industry, build a professional network and develop leadership skills. This comprehensive training/ networking program will expose individuals to the many programs and people that affect and
influence Oregon’s beef industry. The Young Cattlemen’s Leadership Program is an 18-month commitment and will include one training/activity approximately every 8-12 weeks. The trainings/activities will be completed in 2027, and the give back component and final meeting will be completed by June 2027. Applications due on or before January 31, 2026. View link for more details and to download the application.
Enter the 2026 Oregon Civics Bee by February 3rd
This year, the United States will celebrate its 250th birthday. Oregon middle-schoolers have a unique way to celebrate. All 6th, 7th and 8th graders are invited to participate in the third annual Oregon Civics Bee, which will culminate June 12, 2026, in a quiz-style competition held in the House Chamber of the Oregon State Capitol. The winner will be invited to participate in the National Civics Bee® in Washington, D.C.
To participate, students must submit a short, four-paragraph essay identifying a community problem and proposing a solution. A panel of judges will select finalists to participate in regional competitions, and top performers in regional bees will be invited to participate in the Oregon Civics Bee. Oregon Secretary of State Tobias Read will emcee. The top three finishers in the Oregon Civics Bee will receive cash prizes, including $1,000 for the winner.
To learn more about the contest – including application and essay guidance and a toolkit for teachers – please visit the Oregon Civics Bee website here.
Yamhill Community Care Celebrates 12 Years of 100%+ Quality Pool Allocation
Since Oregon launched the coordinated care organization (CCO) model in 2013 to deliver Medicaid services, Yamhill Community Care (YCCO) has achieved 100% or more of its quality dollars every single year—an accomplishment unmatched by any other CCO in the state. This is one of the few examples of the state tracking results of what it spends money on, and the results are clear: our community has gone above and beyond expectations.
YCCO was founded right here in our community and remains community-led, serving about 35,000 Oregon Health Plan members across Yamhill, Polk, and Washington counties. Its performance reflects community providers’ excellence in preventive care, behavioral health, child wellness, and chronic disease management. Over 12 years, YCCO has achieved an average of 110% quality pool distribution; dollars above 100% represent achievement of “challenge pool” measures. In total, this accomplishment has allowed more than $75 million to be reinvested in our community.
Salem Health and PacificSource Reach Agreement for OHP/Medicaid Contract
This means PacificSource will remain in-network at all Salem Health facilities throughout 2026, ensuring uninterrupted access to care for patients.
🟢 What this means for the community
Thousands of PacificSource members on the Oregon Health Plan (OHP) will NOT lose access to Salem Health hospitals and clinics.
Patients will continue to receive in-network care at:
- Salem Hospital
- West Valley Hospital
- Salem Health clinics and specialty providers
This agreement prevents what could have been a significant disruption in care for low-income and medically vulnerable residents across Marion and Polk counties, where Salem Health serves as the primary hospital system.
📌 Bottom line
After months of uncertainty and negotiations, all PacificSource members — including OHP/Medicaid, commercial, and Medicare Advantage — will remain covered at Salem Health in 2026.
Yamhill Enrichment Society - YES threw an 80th Birthday Party for Yamhill County's favorite book lady, Dolly Parton. I can't thank them enough for the invitation to join the celebration. We are so grateful to Dolly and Dolly Parton's Imagination Library for helping YES inspire the next generation of readers in Yamhill County! Happy Birthday Dolly!
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In early January I made a trip with Sen. Starr, Rep. Elmer, Commissioner Johnston and the Mayors from Newberg and McMinnville. We went to meet with our Oregon Congressional members, White House staff and the US Dept. of Transportation staff to advocate for Federal funding for completion of the Newberg Dundee Bypass. It was a very successful trip and we will continue to have conversations with them on the importance of the project to the region. While I was there I was also fortunate to be invited to attend the Policy Celebration launch of the new Federal Food Pyramid. Mark Cruz, pictured with me, is a former Chief of Staff for the Oregon House Republicans and now serves as Senior Advisor to HHS Secretary Kennedy on the Departments Tribal Programs.
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In January I also attended my first SARL, State Ag Rural Leaders Conference. I was invited by Sen. Judy Warnick (R – Moses Lake, WA), pictured with me. The 2 ½ day event covered everything from land use to water and labor to renewable energy. Over 100 Democrat and Republican House and Senate members from across the US and Canada, came together to talk about their passion for natural resources. Also pictured with me is Sen. Tim Richards (D- Kohala, HI) who I first met last summer at the Council of State Governments West. He is a veterinarian by trade and always a pleasure to see and share stories with.
Over 80 grass seed growers from around the Valley gathered at the Polk County Fairgrounds to hear about the state of the industry, opportunities in the hazelnut market, and a bill that I have been working on for the 2026 session that will hopefully close the loophole in the law and get them paid on time. It is always my honor to advocate to protect our hard working ag community.
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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