Bill > HB4004

This bill makes several changes related to natural resources in Oregon, including provisions for forestland tax assessment, water resource management, and water rights. Specifically, it creates a new section that allows land qualified as small tract forestland to defer additional taxes if it becomes disqualified solely due to Douglas-fir mortality, provided the landowner notifies the county assessor and the land is otherwise eligible; this provision is temporary and will be repealed in 2028, with the related changes to tax law becoming effective in 2028. The bill also directs the Water Resources Department to promote enrollment in the federal Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program for water users who voluntarily cancel groundwater rights in areas where new rights are not being issued, and it modifies requirements for employing a registered engineer within the department. Additionally, it allows for extensions of time to complete construction and apply water beneficially for certain water right permits, particularly when delays are caused by governmental processes or appeals, and it adjusts the process for proposed final orders from the Water Resources Department to become final orders if no timely protest is filed.

Agriculture and Natural Resources, Budget and Finance

https://olis.oregonlegislature.gov/liz/2026R1/Measures/Overview/HB4004