summary
Introduced
01/13/2025
01/13/2025
In Committee
01/17/2025
01/17/2025
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
06/27/2025
06/27/2025
Introduced Session
2025 Legislative Measures
Bill Summary
The statement includes a measure digest written in compliance with applicable readability standards. Digest: The Act tells courts to award money for property damage caused by fires started in federal forests. The Act tells an agency to create a group for insuring small forestland against fire. (Flesch Readability Score: 63.6). Requires a court to award damages for the cost of replanting to a plaintiff prevailing against the federal government or a contractor in an action for injury to private land arising from a fire originating on federal forestland. Requires the Director of Department of Consumer and Business Services to establish a joint underwriting association for the purpose of ensuring the availability of property insurance to protect small tract forestland against the peril of fire.
AI Summary
This bill addresses two key aspects related to forestland and fire damage. First, it mandates that if a plaintiff successfully sues a federal agency or its contractor for fire damage to private land originating from federal forestland, the court must award damages not only for the initial injury but also for the cost of replanting the affected land. Second, the bill requires the Director of the Department of Consumer and Business Services to establish a joint underwriting association (a group of insurance companies that come together to provide insurance coverage) specifically designed to ensure that small tract forestlands (defined as contiguous forestlands between 10 and 5,000 acres) can obtain fire insurance. The director is empowered to create this association without the typical preliminary steps of establishing a market assistance plan or holding hearings, reflecting an expedited approach to addressing potential insurance gaps for forestland owners. The bill's provisions will apply to damages awarded in lawsuits filed on or after the bill's effective date in 2025.
Committee Categories
Agriculture and Natural Resources
Sponsors (1)
Last Action
In committee upon adjournment. (on 06/27/2025)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://olis.oregonlegislature.gov/liz/2025R1/Measures/Overview/SB345 |
| Open Government Impact Statement for SB345 INTRO | https://olis.oregonlegislature.gov/liz/2025R1/Downloads/MeasureAnalysisDocument/84542 |
| BillText | https://olis.oregonlegislature.gov/liz/2025R1/Downloads/MeasureDocument/SB345/Introduced |
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