Central Oregon lawmakers see success in Salem with the repeal of wildfire hazard maps, and other major bills
SALEM, Ore. (KTVZ) -- With the current legislative session in Salem coming to a close, lawmakers from Central Oregon are seeing many of the bills they wrote or sponsored, nearing the finish line. The repeal of the state's wildfire hazard maps, millions for Central Oregon projects, and tighter laws for convicted criminals are among the many bills passed by local lawmakers.
The bill with the most eyeballs is the repeal of the states wildfire hazard maps, which will pass with broad bipartisan support this week.
House District 53 (D) Representative Emerson Levy who wrote and chief sponsored the repeal told KTVZ News, "The wildfire maps had a good intention. That intention was to keep people safe, to help us create a mitigation strategy, a hardening strategy, and what we found is that the maps were just not accurate".
The maps classify the wildlife hazard level for each community in Oregon. Most of Central Oregon is in the "high hazard" category, which drew intense backlash here in the High Desert.
"Senator Broadman and I did a town hall in Sisters and almost every single question was about it. You had people with PHD's and forest management professionals saying they were inaccurate," Levy told KTVZ News.
During an intense Deschutes County Commissioners meeting earlier this year one resident said angrily, "On my property I have zero trees, zero mulch, five acres, irrigated 500ft from all property owners. and I'm high risk. Does that make sense?
Levy says once the repeal passes, the map, its hazard levels, and any requirements associated with be removed immediately.
By repealing these maps, Levy hopes it can show how government responds to community concerns, "We're just ready to restore the community's trust in this process and really focus on what matters, which is to keep people safe. That's our goal".
District 27 State Senator (D) Anthony Broadman expects several of his budget bills to pass that will bring millions to Central Oregon projects, "I expect the funding for Mosaic, the funding for Core3 and the funding to support a new pediatric mental health facility in Deschutes County to all receive the funding".
Bills sponsored by Broadman providing funding for the Warm Springs Reservation and the High Desert Museum are also very likely to pass.
Prineville State Representative (R) Vikki Breese-Iverson also had several bills signed by the governor. One of them removes a requirement that a maximum of two real estate professionals may serve on a city or county planning commission for commissions with more than five members.
Breese-Iverson is herself a well known rancher and realtor in Crook County.
Finally, State Representative (D) Jason Kropf had two bills he wrote, signed by the governor. One bill would for more money for victim services, while the other increases penalties for those accused of domestic and sexual violence.
