Bill > HB3940

This bill introduces a comprehensive set of changes related to wildfire prevention, forest protection, and fire-related funding mechanisms in Oregon. The key provisions include imposing a new tax on oral nicotine products, with tax revenues to be distributed to the Landscape Resiliency Fund and Community Risk Reduction Fund. The bill restructures the Emergency Fire Cost Committee by expanding its membership from four to six members, including representatives from large forest owners, small forest owners, and grazing land owners. It establishes a new State Forestry Department Large Wildfire Fund to provide funding for emergency firefighting costs and creates a Wildfire Prepared Structure Program to help retrofit dwellings to be more fire-resistant. The bill also modifies forest protection district assessments, adjusts how forestland can be included in rural fire protection districts, and makes several technical changes to existing laws related to forest protection and fire prevention. Additionally, the bill introduces an annual inflation adjustment for various fire-related assessments and fees, and provides new mechanisms for treasury loans to support wildfire suppression efforts. The changes are intended to improve Oregon's wildfire preparedness, risk reduction, and response capabilities, with a focus on protecting forestlands, rural communities, and individual property owners.

Agriculture and Natural Resources, Budget and Finance

https://olis.oregonlegislature.gov/liz/2025R1/Measures/Overview/HB3940