The Act raises and moves money to pay for wildfire costs. The Act makes certain changes to laws related to forests and fire protection.
- Places a surcharge of 5-cents on sales of beverage containers of beer, wine, soda, juice, cider and just plain water for purposes of wildfire prevention and response.
- Directs insurance retaliatory tax revenue to wildfire prevention and response.
- Transfers one-half percent of General Fund appropriations for preceding biennium limited to ending balance to a fund for wildfire prevention and response.
- Transfers 50 percent of the amount held in the Oregon Rainy Day Fund to a fund for wildfire prevention and response.
- Increases forest harvest tax upon taxpayers [62.5] 100 cents per thousand feet, board measure, adjusts with the Consumer Price Index annually (taxation without representation).
- Annual cost of protection by the State Forester set at 30-cents per acre grazing land adjusts upward only with the Consumer Price Index.
- Minimum assessments of forestland fire protection or suppression raised from $18.75 to $58 adjusted upward only by the Consumer Price Index annually.
- Removes 2 zones for fire protection and leaves zoning to governing bodies and may include cities. Fire protection district may include land without owners consent.
- Requires the State Forestry Department and the Department of the State Fire Marshal to pay for wildfire suppression cost from the State Treasurer, obligating legislature to replenish the funds.
- Takes effect on the 91st day following adjournment sine die.
Combining so many taxes in one bill is a disservice to what is acceptable and what is not. Where are the bills to stop the mismanagement of forest that would reduce wildfires? Burning up money is not a fix to the underlying problem.
The current trend of making taxes adjust with the Consumer Price Index or any index is an increase in taxes without representation, particularly when it doesn’t allow for a downward adjustment as in this bill. Nor does it take into account extenuating circumstances – such as the lockdown during the pandemic. This method is a new virus that Democrats are spreading in most of their bills.
SUBMIT TESTIMONY HERE before 4/3 at 8am.
EMAIL COMMITTEE
Rep.JohnLively@OregonLegislature.gov
Rep.MarkGamba@OregonLegislature.gov
Rep.BobbyLevy@OregonLegislature.gov
Rep.TomAndersen@OregonLegislature.gov
Rep.DarceyEdwards@OregonLegislature.gov
Rep.KenHelm@OregonLegislature.gov
Rep.EmersonLevy@OregonLegislature.gov
Rep.PamMarsh@OregonLegislature.gov
Rep.CourtneyNeron@OregonLegislature.gov
Rep.VirgleOsborne@OregonLegislature.gov
Rep.MarkOwens@OregonLegislature.gov
Rep.KimWallan@OregonLegislature.gov
I oppose this measure
I oppose this measure.
Another way to cover for power companies when they are at fault if causing or exacerbating fires. Hold them financially accountable for clean up, reparations, and fixing their plant.