Senate committee hears broad testimony on SB 777, which would raise nonlethal funding and add multipliers to wolf depredation payouts

The Senate Committee on Natural Resources and Wildfire opened a public hearing March 11 on Senate Bill 777, a measure that would revise Oregon's wolf depredation compensation program by adding per-animal multipliers, a $25,000 cap and a higher minimum allocation for nonlethal deterrence.

The dash-5 amendment described by staff would increase the statutory minimum of program funds that counties must use for financial assistance for nonlethal livestock management from 30% to 50%, allow county committees to select a multiplier up to specified caps, and set a $25,000 maximum compensation per animal. The amendment specifies multipliers of up to 5 times fair market value for calves and yearlings and for sheep and goats, up to 3 times fair market value for cows, and a single-times fair market value for certain other livestock and working dogs.

Why it matters: SB 777 addresses recurring conflict between livestock producers and wolves by changing how the state calculates and allocates compensation. Proponents said the changes would increase participation in the compensation program and better account for indirect economic losses; opponents said the multipliers risk depleting…