HB 4004
Provides that additional taxes otherwise imposed upon disqualification of land from certain forestland special assessment programs may not be collected if the disqualification is due to the suspension of reforestation requirements as a result of insects or disease.
Jurisdiction
Oregon
Session
2026 Regular Session
At the request of
(at the request of House Interim Committee on Agriculture, Land Use, Natural Resources, and Water for Representatives Ken Helm, Mark Owens)
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Sign in to take actionPublic sentiment
Support
25%
Oppose
75%
- Introduced
- Passed House
- Passed Senate
- To Governor
- Became Law
Bill overview
This bill protects landowners who qualify for forestland special assessments but have their land temporarily disqualified due to insect or disease outbreaks. It prevents additional taxes from being collected on the land during the suspension, as long as an alternate reforestation plan is approved. Landowners must submit this plan to the county assessor by July 1st of the tax year to benefit from this protection.
Sponsors
Official sponsors from legislative records.
Primary sponsors
Cosponsor
Land Use, Natural Resources, and Water House Interim Committee on Agriculture
Arguments in favor
Reasons to support this legislation.
Supporters of the bill acknowledge a potential benefit in providing tax relief for forestland owners, which could lead to increased economic activity and job creation in rural areas. However, they also express concerns about the long-term water resource management implications if extensions beyond 7 years are allowed, citing the need for careful planning and mitigation measures to prevent environmental degradation. Additionally, supporters emphasize the importance of ensuring that any tax relief is accompanied by robust regulations and monitoring mechanisms to prevent exploitation or abuse of the program. By taking a proactive and sustainable approach, proponents argue that the bill can balance economic benefits with environmental stewardship and social responsibility.
Source: Testimony Summaries
Arguments opposed
Reasons to oppose this legislation.
Opponents of HB 4004 amendments express concerns that the extended timeline for water permit extensions of up to 7 years will lead to speculation in water resources, perpetuating outdated permits that have been in place for decades. They argue that this approach fails to address the ongoing issue and may even exacerbate it. Furthermore, opponents of new taxes and regulations on water rights/groundwater resources contend that such measures would disproportionately harm Oregonians, citing past legislation's negative consequences. Additionally, agricultural users and landowners express concerns about the potential impact of HB 4004 on their valuable farmlands, ranchlands, and forestlands, which they fear could be compromised by changes to water rights regulations.
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