HB 3172
Directs the Department of the State Fire Marshal to establish a grant program to facilitate the retrofitting of dwellingsto reduce vulnerability to wildfire.
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Sign in to take actionPublic sentiment
Support
96%
Oppose
4%
- Introduced
- Passed House
- Passed Senate
- To Governor
- Became Law
Bill overview
This bill directs the Department of the State Fire Marshal to create a grant program called the Wildfire Prepared Structure Program. The program will provide funding for homeowners and property owners to retrofit their dwellings and accessory structures to make them more resistant to wildfires. The grants will prioritize projects benefiting vulnerable populations and high wildfire exposure areas, and require reporting to the State Fire Marshal.
Key provisions
- Establishes the Wildfire Prepared Structure Program.
- Requires the Department of the State Fire Marshal to publish a list of eligible retrofits and materials.
- Prioritizes grants for projects benefiting high wildfire exposure areas, socially vulnerable communities, and low-income individuals.
- Sets a one-year completion deadline for grant projects.
- Requires grant recipients to report project details to the State Fire Marshal.
- Allows the department to adopt rules to implement the program.
- Allocates funds from the General Fund to the Department of the State Fire Marshal.
Who is affected
- Homeowners
- Property Owners
- Residents in high wildfire exposure areas
- Socially vulnerable communities
- Low-income individuals
Notable changes
- Creates a new grant program specifically for wildfire mitigation retrofits.
- Establishes criteria for grant prioritization, including vulnerability and cost-effectiveness.
Sponsors
Official sponsors from legislative records.
Primary sponsors
Cosponsors
Arguments in favor
Reasons to support this legislation.
Supporters of House Bill 3172 agree that home hardening is an effective way to protect communities from wildfires, particularly in Oregon where climate change exacerbates the issue. They advocate for a grant program to retrofit homes and accessory structures with fire-resistant materials, providing critical funding for vulnerable communities and prioritizing assistance to high-risk areas. By reducing wildfire vulnerability through proactive measures, this approach aims to save lives, properties, and resources, while also promoting ecosystem protection and mitigating the devastating effects of wildfires in Oregon's increasingly arid climate.
Source: Testimony Summaries
Arguments opposed
Reasons to oppose this legislation.
Opponents of the bill express concerns that it would overextend the role of the fire marshal, creating a potential conflict of interest and increasing the risk of fraud. They argue that the added responsibility of distributing state funds could compromise the fire marshal's ability to identify and mitigate fire risks effectively, undermining public safety. Additionally, critics contend that the bill's broad scope could lead to abuse of power and misallocation of resources, as the fire marshal would be tasked with making decisions on both risk assessment and funding allocation.
Source: Testimony Summaries