HB3940: Relating to wildfire; prescribing an effective date; providing for revenue raising that requires approval by a three-fifths majority.

Legislative Summary

The Act raises and moves money to pay for wildfire costs. The Act makes certain changes to laws related to forests and fire protection. (Flesch Readability Score: 74.8). Places a surcharge on sales of beverage containers for purposes of wildfire prevention and response. Directs insurance retaliatory tax revenue to wildfire prevention and response. Transfers one-half percent of General Fund appropriations per biennium to [a fund] funds for wildfire prevention and response. Transfers 50 percent of the amount held in the Oregon Rainy Day Fund to [a fund] funds for wildfire prevention and response. Makes certain changes related to the forest products harvest tax, forest protection districts, minimum assessments and surcharges, the Emergency Fire Cost Committee, forestland acreage assessments, zones for fire protection in certain areas and [the formation of] rural fire protection districts. Authorizes certain transfers from the State Fire Marshal Mobilization Fund. Requires the Legislative Assembly to make moneys available to the State Forestry Department and the Department of the State Fire Marshal to repay loans from the State Treasurer for wildfire suppression costs. Creates an offset against fire protection costs for certain forestland. Takes effect on the 91st day following adjournment sine die.