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Committee advances SB 85 A to floor to develop community-based wildfire mitigation strategies
Summary
The House Committee on Climate, Energy, and Environment moved Senate Bill 85 A to the floor with a due-pass recommendation on May 15. The bill directs state agencies and insurers to evaluate and develop community-based wildfire mitigation strategies intended to reduce wildfire risk and improve insurance affordability in Oregon.
On May 15 the House Committee on Climate, Energy, and Environment voted to advance Senate Bill 85 A with a due-pass recommendation.
Committee staff summarized SB 85 A as directing the Department of Consumer and Business Services (DCBS) and the Office of the State Fire Marshal (OSFM), in collaboration with the Department of Forestry (ODF) and insurance industry representatives, to evaluate and develop community-based wildfire mitigation strategies to reduce wildfire risk and improve insurance affordability in Oregon. Staff reported a minimal fiscal impact and no revenue impact and indicated no amendment and no subsequent referral.
Vice Chair Gamba moved the bill to the floor. Representative Marsh said the work was "important" and that developing actuarial evidence of mitigation improvements could help engage insurers and reduce homeowner costs in the future. Representative Emerson Levy thanked the director leading the work and said she hoped it would produce evidence and tools for districts where local efforts have not yet reduced insurance costs.
The roll-call vote recorded affirmative votes from Representative Anderson, Representative Edwards, Representative Helm, Representative Emerson Levy, Representative Marsh, Representative Osborne, Vice Chair Gamba, Vice Chair Bobby Levy and Chair Lively; Representatives Owens and Wallen were excused. The motion carried.
Committee discussion emphasized the potential of actuarial evidence and insurer partnership to guide homeowners and community mitigation efforts; staff and committee members framed the bill as a step toward improving insurance market outcomes through community-based risk reduction.
