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To contact me, please click here: Rep.AnnaScharf@oregonlegislature.gov
Dear Friends,
This WILL be my last official newsletter before the “Legislative blackout” period begins March 20th.
As I said in my Legislative Session wrap up newsletter, session is officially over, but that does not mean things slow down. The Monday after session ended, I was off to DC one more time. This trip was for a private industry board that I sit on, but while meeting with our Congressional members about my board topics, it also allows me a chance provide a quick wrap up on the Legislative Session. It was a very productive week for my board, and I was able to make a new contact at USDA which will help with my work on the Human Service Committee and the Ag committee. My Hill meetings were also productive, despite the House being in recess and the Senate in meetings. This meant the meetings were with staff and not members, but that can also mean more time to discuss things.
I am grateful that I have been able to continue build relationships with our Congressional members who impact HD 23. In addition, Oregon has several people that serve in key positions in the various Federal agencies. Being able to reach out with questions and get answers is also very helpful. Every chance I have had, while I have traveled back and forth these past few months, I have worked to find ways to strengthen those ties as well.
As a final reminder, Legislative Days will be June 15-17 so that will be the next newsletter, but the office is always here via-email to help you if you need it.
Enjoy your Spring,
 Anna Scharf
State Representative - HD 23
UPDATE ON THE GAX TAX REFERRAL LAWSUITS
There were two lawsuits filled after SB 1599 passed in the last week of session. I wrote about it in my previous newsletter which you can read here.
The first lawsuit was filed on March 3rd and alleged that SB 1599 violated the state’s constitutional referendum protections, due process and fair election principles. It asked for an injunction to stop the referral from being moved up from November to May.
On Wednesday the 11th, Marion County Judge David Leith denied the motion saying in his opinion that “the court concludes that plaintiffs are not likely to succeed on the merits of their constitutional challenge to SB 1599 (…) plaintiff’s motion must be denied.”
The second lawsuit was brought forward by 73-year old, Klamath Falls resident Mary Martin, and filed on March 5th in U.S. District Court in Eugene. She alleged that moving the referendum election date violates federal discrimination laws for people with disabilities, who are elderly, or are low income. Voter’s pamphlet statements can be submitted by paying $1,200 or submitting 500 signatures allowing for an equal opportunity for all.
In that lawsuit, U.S. District Court Judge Michael Simon said he would grant part of a request to issue a temporary restraining order in response to the lawsuit, claiming the deadline and requirements to submit arguments to the voter’s pamphlet violates the First Amendment, 14th Amendment and the Americans with Disabilities Act.
However, he only waived it for Mary, the woman who filled the suit, stating that if he did it for the larger potential group (all elderly, disabled and low-income individuals) it could mean "hundreds, if not thousands" of people trying to avoid the requirements to file arguments and burden the Secretary of State's Office. So, in other words, everyone else who is disproportionately affected by the ballot measure being move up to May from November is out of luck. They will either need to pay the $1,200 or gather the 500 signatures is a very short period.
While some have said it's not a big deal, at least the people will get to vote, and we will know sooner what the outcome will be. Many of those believe it will be defeated and that it does not matter if it is May or November. However, I still stand by my concerns that I voiced during my Floor speech... “What about the next time a bill is passed by the Legislature that the voters do not disagree with? Will the same thing happen? Will the timing of their voices again be condensed, manipulated? What other rules will be broken to fit the need of the majority party?”
SB 1599 was not just about the gas tax referral, it was about one-party politics in Oregon and again seeing just how far they are willing to go to protect elections and supermajority power.
HB 4065
Slow Pay no pay Changes – May 1st is coming
One of my two priority bills this session was HB 4065 which I wrote about briefly about in my 2/21/26 newsletter under “On The Floor”. You can also watch my Floor Speech.
I wanted to give all seed farmers a bit more information on the bill as we approach the May 1st and then the July 1st Slow Pay/No Pay filing deadlines.
In Oregon, you are protected by law when growing all seeds under contract whether it is grass, clover, radish or other. The law changed in 2018 from only grass to include all seeds. I wrote and passed that law, as a private citizen, as well long before I was a legislator.
HB 4065 came about after several grass seed farmers filed slow pay no pay claims with the Oregon Department of Ag in May of 2025 because they were either not paid at all, or under paid for grass seed they grew and harvested the summer of 2024. It took until December of 2025, court filings by ODA and an immense amount of public pressure through numerous articles in the Capital Press before farmers were made whole. Several farmers never filed claims and could still be owed money if they had done so. In addition, farmers of other seed crops such as radish and clover began filing claims after the July 1 filing date. Some of those claims are still in process.
What was learned from the filings was there were still issues with the law. The law had never really been put to the test since it was revised in 2011 for grass and expanded in 2018 for other crops. The issues that needed to be solved could not all be solved in a short session, but some could be tightened, and legislation could also open the door to additional conversations moving forward.
The bill did three things:
- Restated legislative intent into law from 2011 that when a farmer files a Slow Pay/No Pay claim and ODA validates the claim and notifies the dealer / seed company of the valid claim, the expectation is that the farmer will be paid in 30 days, not 6 months.
- Added on that once the dealer / seed company pays the farmer, they need to notify ODA that they have fulfilled the obligation.
- The old interest rate owed to the farmer was 1% from the time of the notice until the time of payment. This was nowhere near the cost the farmer was incurring for carrying the cost of the crop. That was changed to current interest rate +1%.
- ODA also discovered during the large amount of 2024 filings that the cost to process those filing was more than what was in the law so the fee to file a claim was also raised.
As May 1st approaches it is important for grass seed farmers to remember documentation is important to filing a Slow Pay/No Pay claim. This means having copies of your contracts, cleaning and test information, invoices showing that you have billed the seed company on May 1st or sooner if your contract has an earlier date or the seed shipped already, and any other email or correspondence you may have that shows you should have been paid.
In addition, because most contracts do not have a price on them, anything you have that has or can prove a market or established price will also help in determining the amount owed to you.
For other crops, the same applies as above, but the payment date in law is July 1st. Additional information is available at the ODA website or via this link.
Amity Urban Design Verification Study
~a message from ODOT~
We're studying a section of OR 99W and OR 153 in Amity, looking at potential pedestrian and bicycle improvements.
 
Congratulations to all the FFA students who will be receiving their State Degrees during State Convention in Redmond March 19-21. This is the States top honor an FFA Member may receive.
Amity High School
Sarah Van Beurden
Maggie Saunders
Kenzie Kauer
Dallas High School
Emma Smith
Evan Turner
Dayton High School
Ethan Cozart
Arabella DiLorenzo
Joshua McCarthy
Easton Moody
Kevin Ortiz
Sean Smith
Newberg High School
Abigail Fulcher
Samuel Wallis
Perrydale High School
Savannah Beach
Bronson Deets
Kennedy Laughlin
Braydon Leslie
Kylie Tish
Owen Arreola
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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