Committee advances OSU-led lumber grading pilot for small mills, amid safety and oversight concerns

Senate Bill 1061A, as amended, was approved by the Committee on Agriculture, Land Use, Natural Resources and Water for referral to the House floor with a "do pass" recommendation on May 19.

SB 1061A requires the director of the Oregon State University Extension Service to establish a lumber-grading training pilot program and directs the Department of Consumer and Business Services to establish a process by which lumber graded under the pilot may be obtained and used. Committee staff described the A-5 amendment as a grammatical correction with no substantive change; staff said the fiscal impact is minimal and there is no revenue impact.

Several legislators praised the bill's intent to support local mills and sustainable practices. "I like the farmers market analogy," Representative Boyce said, describing the…