Oregon House/Senate Bills Propose Changes to Wolf Compensation Process
By Garrett Christensen on Monday, February 27th, 2023 in More Top Stories Northeastern Oregon News
OREGON – An Oregon Senate Bill and four House Bills currently propose changes to the compensation process for wolf depredation. These changes range from a deposit of funds into the Wolf Management Compensation Trust Fund to minor alterations in the process of applying for wolf depredation compensation. Descriptions of bills and information on their current status are listed below. All information concerning these bills is taken from the Oregon State Legislators’ legislative information webpage which can be found at Oregon Legislative Information System (oregonlegislature.gov). The bills are as follows:
Senate Bill 471
Title: “Relating to appropriations for livestock loss; declaring an emergency.
Summary: “Appropriates moneys from General Fund to State Department of Agriculture for deposit in Wolf Management Compensation and Proactive Trust Fund. Declares emergency, effective July 1, 2023.”
Additional Details/Background: “In 2011, the Legislative Assembly enacted House Bill 3560, which directed the Oregon Department of Agriculture (ODA) to establish and implement a wolf depredation compensation and financial assistance grant program. The program provides grants to assist counties in implementing programs to prevent wolf depredation and to compensate ranchers when wolf depredation occurs. The grant program sources moneys from the Wolf Management Compensation and Proactive Trust Fund
In 2011, the Legislative Assembly enacted House Bill 3560, which directed the Oregon Department of Agriculture (ODA) to establish and implement a wolf depredation compensation and financial assistance grant program. The program provides grants to assist counties in implementing programs to prevent wolf depredation and to compensate ranchers when wolf depredation occurs. The grant program sources moneys from the Wolf Management Compensation and Proactive Trust Fund
Senate Bill 471 would appropriate $800,000 to ODA for deposit in the Wolf Management Compensation and Proactive Trust Fund.”
Location: In Senate Committee.
Latest Event: Public Hearing held on January 23, 2023.
House Bill 2631
Title: Relating to the effects of wolves on livestock.
Summary: “Provides that compensation for loss or injury to livestock or working dogs under wolf depredation compensation and financial assistance grant program must be based on multiplier of not more than seven times fair market value of livestock or working dogs and recommendation of county advisory committee.”
Location: In House Committee.
Latest Event: “Referred to Agriculture, Land Use, Natural Resources, and Water with subsequent referral to Ways and Means,” January 13.
House Bill 2632
Title: Relating to the depredation of livestock.
Summary: “Provides that person who receives finding under wolf depredation compensation and financial assistance grant program may appeal finding to county advisory committee.”
Location: In House Committee.
Latest Event: “Referred to Agriculture, Land Use, Natural Resources, and Water,” January 13.
House Bill 2633
Title: Relating to the depredation of livestock.
Summary: “Allows person who submits application for compensation under wolf depredation compensation and financial assistance grant program to amend application.”
Location: In House Committee.
Latest Event: “Referred to Agriculture, Land Use, Natural Resources, and Water,” January 13.
House Bill 3091
Title: Relating to the depredation of livestock.
Summary: “Provides that person who receives finding under wolf depredation compensation and financial assistance grant program may appeal finding to county advisory committee. Allows person who submits application for compensation to amend application.”
Location: In House Committee.
Latest Event: “Referred to Agriculture, Land Use, Natural Resources, and Water,” January 30.
