Committee hears support for expedited rebuilding after disasters in SB 15 61

The committee opened a public hearing on SB 15 61, a bill intended to streamline rebuilding of dwellings destroyed by natural disasters or unexpected events by providing an administrative replacement path rather than the full land-use review. Kya summarized the measure and noted a -3 amendment is posted on OLIS.

Sen. Suzanne Weber (sponsor) described a 2023 case where a family suffered a fatal fire and then encountered land-use obstacles in rebuilding; the bill aims to avoid that retraumatization by offering a ministerial administrative process for qualifying owners. Rep. Boomer Wright and Dave Honeycutt (Oregon Property Owners Association) emphasized that the bill is narrowly tailored: it applies only to involuntary events, requires proof that the original dwelling was lawfully established (permits or tax records), requires adequate water/sewer/road infrastructure, and caps replacement dwellings at no more than 125% (25% increase) of the original floor area.

Local governments (Multnomah County) supported the statutory framework as helpful, and advocates (including 1000 Friends of Oregon) said they support the tax-record path but urged retaining public notice for replacement applications so local governments could receive useful input when the replacement differs in size or location. County commissioners recommended amendments to ensure reconstruction can match the code in effect at the time the original dwelling was built (arguing a 10-year lookback is insufficient for older homes) and to account for dwellings that historically lacked utilities but were nonetheless legitimate homes.

The committee closed the public hearing after receiving testimony from county officials, housing advocates and builders; sponsors indicated they will consider adjustments including potential dash amendments to address concerns about public notice and look-back periods.