Panel adopts amendments to HB 4004, sends bill to revenue committee

Chair Helm opened a work session on House Bill 4,004 on Feb. 11 and the committee adopted three amendments before referring the measure to the House Committee on Revenue.

Representative Anna Marsh explained the dash 11 amendment would limit relief to small‑tract forest land affected by Douglas fir mortality, convert an outright back‑tax exemption into a temporary tax deferral and include a sunset two years after enactment. "The amendment really does three things," Marsh said, describing the focus on Douglas fir mortality, the temporary nature of suspended back taxes and the two‑year test period.

Co‑chair Owens described the dash 13 amendment as a narrowly tailored change to allow the Oregon Water Resources Department discretion to grant a single, seven‑year extension to water‑right permit holders when development‑related delays — including land‑use permits or related appeals — prevent timely completion. On dash 14, staff and sponsors said the change clarifies timeline consistency for proposed final orders and confirms a pathway to expend additional outside funds in the CREP pilot if those funds are secured.

Vice Chair Finger McDonald moved adoption of the dash 11, dash 13 and dash 14 amendments by voice vote; the committee adopted each amendment and then moved HB 4,004 as amended to the House floor with a due‑pass recommendation and referral to the House Committee on Revenue by prior reference.

The committee recorded the amendments as having minimal fiscal impact with explanatory statements posted to the bill record; sponsors said revenue offices issued revenue‑light analyses for the changes. The committee closed the work session on HB 4,004 after the motion to report the bill to the revenue committee passed.

The bill will next be considered by the House Committee on Revenue by prior reference.