VOTE: YES – Died In Committee
Status (overview) of bill: https://olis.leg.state.or.us/liz/2019R1/Measures/Overview/SB291
Committee assigned to bill: https://olis.leg.state.or.us/liz/2019R1/Committees/SENR/Overview
This bill allows governing body of county, city or district the authority to request fire-fighting forces or equipment, and prohibits refusal increasing firefighting flexibility.
Fiscal Responsibility
The measure is anticipated to have an impact on the Oregon State Police (State Fire Marshal), Cities, Counties, Special Districts, and the Office of the Governor.
Local Control
The Oregon Emergency Conflagration Act allows the Governor to assign any fire fighting force and equipment to any portion of the state in response to fire, a heightened danger of fire, or a significant reduction in available fire fighting resources. Senate Bill 291 allows the governing body of a county, city, or district to authorize individuals to request the Governor take certain actions under the Oregon Emergency Conflagration Act, and prohibits the Governor from refusing or limiting the assignment of fire fighting forces or equipment based on a lack or scarcity of structures in the vicinity of the fire.
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