Oregon Senate committee votes unanimously to repeal contentious wildfire hazard map, property maintenance rules

SALEM, Ore. (KTVZ) -- The Oregon Senate Committee on Natural Resources and Wildfire voted unanimously Tuesday to eliminate the state's controversial wildfire hazard map, first introduced in 2021’s SB 762. The policy advanced Tuesday also scraps the property maintenance rules that applied to higher-hazard areas on the map.

“Today is a milestone in our wildfire journey. As a whole, SB 762 programs have great support across the state, but the hazard map, which flunked the basic common-sense test for so many property owners, had Oregonians angry and divided,” said Committee Chair Jeff Golden (D – Ashland).

“Repealing the map clears the way to good collaborative programs on the ground. Now the challenge is to fund them at the levels we need,” Golden said in a news release from the Senate Majority Office.

Senate Bill 83 now moves to the Senate floor for a vote by the whole chamber.

Republican lawmakers hailed the committee vote, calling it a crucial step toward repealing the controversial wildfire hazard map and the excessive regulations tied to it.

Senate and House Republicans released the following statement:

“Today, we’re celebrating with the thousands of Oregonians who have fought for this change. Rural Oregonians raised their voices and demanded action, and as a result, we’re finally seeing real progress.

"Senate Bill 83 puts power back in the hands of the people, not government bureaucrats. The wildfire hazard map caused fear and uncertainty, burdening families with costly and unfair one-size-fits-all mandates. This bill repeals that mess, empowers people to protect their homes without the threat of government interference, and focuses on practical solutions for wildfire prevention. With this step forward, we’re delivering the change that rural Oregon has long deserved.”

SB 83 empowers local communities to make decisions tailored to their unique needs, enabling them to take effective steps to protect their homes. It also ensures taxpayer dollars are spent where they have the most impact—supporting local efforts like defensible space, forest thinning, and wildfire readiness programs.

The measure now moves to the Senate floor for a vote.

In February, two Bend Democratic lawmakers, state Senator Anthony Broadman and Representative Emerson Levy, came out in favor of the map’s repeal. Broadman said it doesn’t “create an equitable system” or account for variations among individual properties.