Bill > HB3508

This bill directs the State Forestry Department to conduct a comprehensive study on improving active forest management in Oregon, in collaboration with the Oregon Business Development Department and the Housing and Community Services Department. The study will focus on identifying barriers to effective forest and wildfire management, exploring the economic impacts of increased timber harvesting, examining obstacles to using timber harvest as a wildfire mitigation tool, investigating the potential expansion of the Good Neighbor Authority Agreement on federal lands, and comparing the number of lumber and wood product mills in Oregon between 1980 and 2025. By September 15, 2027, the department must report its findings and recommendations to legislative committees, including strategies for forest management, wildfire reduction techniques, and potential legislative changes. The bill appropriates $500,000 from the General Fund to support the study, which will be conducted by the State Forestry Department or through a contracted private organization. The study provisions will be repealed on January 2, 2028, and the bill takes effect 91 days after the 2025 legislative session adjourns.

Agriculture and Natural Resources

https://olis.oregonlegislature.gov/liz/2025R1/Measures/Overview/HB3508