Budget & Taxes

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. Authorizes the Water Resources Department to grant time extensions for specified water right permit holders to complete construction and apply water beneficially. Modifies requirement that the department's director or principal assistant be a registered engineer. Modifies provision specifying when a proposed order of the department becomes final. Directs the department to facilitate certain water users' enrollment in a federal conservation program. Takes effect on the 91st day following adjournment sine die.

Oregon's legislature is requesting Congress permanently extend federal tax relief for wildfire victims, which expired at the end of 2025. This follows Oregon's 2024 state law (SB 1520) that provided tax relief for wildfire recovery, but required federal companion relief to prevent liability settlements from being taxed. The memorial specifically urges Congress to make permanent the temporary federal tax cuts established by H.R. 5863 (Federal Disaster Tax Relief Act of 2023). This applies to wildfire victims in Oregon who faced federal taxation on recovery funds after recent catastrophic fires.