Livestock compensation bill passes senate

SALEM – Senate Bill 777 passed third reading on the floor of the Oregon State Senate on Tuesday. It passed 28-1 with only Democratic Senator Deb Patterson of Salem voting against. It overhauls the system for compensation for ranchers who lose livestock or working dogs to confirmed wolf kills, while increasing funding for non-lethal deterrence.

The bill removes compensation for missing livestock, instead implements a multiplier system, allowing counties to set compensation rates based on fair market value. Under SB 777, calves, yearlings, sheep, and goats can be compensated at up to five times their fair market value, while cows can be compensated at up to three times, with a $25,000 total cap. Sen. Todd Nash (R-Enterprise) and Rep. Bobby Levy (R-Echo) are the chief sponsors of the bill.

“In 2011, we created Oregon’s first compensation program when wolves were still new to the state. We’ve learned a lot since then,” said Nash. “This bill reflects what we now know; that our previous system didn’t fully account for the losses ranchers face. SB 777 is a long-overdue fix that restores trust in the system and ensures that Oregon’s wolf policy reflects reality, not outdated assumptions.”

The bill now moves to first reading on the house floor Thursday.

---

• 
• 

• 
• 

• 
• 

---

---