PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) – The Oregon Senate unanimously passed a bill on Tuesday in an effort to repeal the state's controversial Wildfire Hazard Map.

The Wildfire Hazard Map was created in 2021 under the bipartisan Senate Bill 762, which directed the Oregon Department of Forestry to map out fire-prone areas in the state.

Under SB 762, homeowners living in areas that are at a high wildfire risk face stricter building codes and must reduce vegetation on their properties.

A provision in 2023 disallows insurers to cancel or decline to renew homeowners’ insurance policies or increase premiums. Despite this, the backlash against the Wildfire Hazard Map has persisted.

Now, with SB 83, lawmakers are aiming to eliminate the map, and the property maintenance rules, with the Democratic Majority Office noting the maps did not represent various individual property conditions “and would have had consequences for land and building regulations.”

“We need Senate Bill 83 to heal the huge divide among Oregonians, triggered by a wildfire map that made no logical sense to thousands of affected people,” said Senate Natural Resources and Wildfire Committee Chair Jeff Golden (D –Ashland). “That divide was squarely in the way of building the broad-based collaboration we need to meet the wildfire crisis, which is far beyond what government on its own can solve.”

While repealing the map, the bill also directs state agencies to create fire regulations that property owners can choose to follow, or municipal governments can adopt regulations to enforce at the local level.

By voting to repeal the map, the committee also nullified requirements for sellers to disclose a property’s classification on the map and that property owners in hazard zones follow certain construction rules for accessory dwelling units and replacement buildings.

Under SB 83, two members will be added to Oregon’s Wildfire Programs Advisory Council, including one member from the firefighting field, and a second from the insurance industry.

Additionally, the bill requires the Department of Environmental Quality to issue reports on community smoke monitoring and response and directs the Public Utility Commission to report on efforts to reduce wildfire risk from utility infrastructure.

“Today, we celebrate a hard-fought victory for rural Oregon,” said Senate Republican Leader Daniel Bonham (R-The Dalles). “Senate Bill 83 repeals the most flawed and overreaching aspects of Senate Bill 762 from 2021, including the State Wildfire Hazard Map, while preserving the programs that genuinely protect property owners and reduce wildfire risks.”

“I’m delighted to see Senate Bill 83 pass the Senate,” added Sen. Noah Robinson (R-Cave Junction). “Many of my constituents and thousands of Oregonians have made it clear: they want the ability to protect their homes without being burdened by unfair regulations. Today’s vote is a crucial step toward undoing the damage caused by this flawed policy and returning control to landowners.”

“This has been years in the making. With today’s overwhelming bipartisan support for Senate Bill 83, we are one step closer to undoing the harm caused by Senate Bill 762’s wildfire map,” said Sen. David Brock Smith (R-Port Orford). “I want to thank the thousands of residents who raised their voices to make this possible, as well as my colleagues for their support. I look forward to seeing Senate Bill 83 move swiftly through the House and be signed by Governor Kotek, bringing much-needed relief to our communities.”

SB 83 passed the Senate unanimously and heads to the House of Representatives for consideration.