Special session deals with the cost of wildfires in Salem

By Terry Murry on Wednesday, December 11th, 2024 in Columbia Basin News More Top Stories

SALEM – Oregon lawmakers gathered in the capitol this week for a final series of interim legislative hearings prior to Thursday’s 2024 Special Session called by Gov. Tina Kotek to deal with an estimated $220 million debt accrued during the most recent wildfire season.

Sen. Bill Hansell (R-Athena) retires at the end of the year, but he has one more job to do. He’s been named to the Senate Interim Committee on Wildfire Funding. Rep. Bobby Levy (R-Echo) is on the House of Representative’s committee with the same goal.

Hansell said that he’s glad Kotek decided to call for a special session to cover the cost as quickly as possible. His committee consists of six senators from each party.

“I think it’s wise that they’re doing it now instead of waiting for the 2025 session to begin,” Hansell said. “We need to take care of this year’s season before we find ourselves in the middle of wildfires in 2025.”

The senate president agreed.

“We have a responsibility to pay our bills to the brave individuals who helped protect our homes and property during this terrible wildfire season,” Sen. Rob Wagner (D-Lake Oswego) said.

Meanwhile, Hansell said that while he will no longer be in office in 2025, he will be watching and hoping the Oregon Legislature works on a permanent way of funding the cost of fighting wildfires.

“Sen. Elizabeth Steiner brokered a bill last year that deals with that, but the leadership did not move it forward,” he said. “I hope they revisit that.” Steiner won’t be around to push it through. She has been elected state treasurer.