Between official sessions of the Legislature, House and Senate leaders convene interim committees during what are called “Legislative Days.” On June 1-3, 2022 Legislative Days occurred, including a meeting of the Interim House Special Committee on Wildfire Recovery, chaired by Representative Paul Evans. Among other items on the Committee’s agenda, Lane County Commissioner Heather Buch provided the Committee with an update on the status of a number of upriver investments the Legislature made during 2021 and 2022. A recording of the Committee’s conversation from June 2 may be viewed here:
https://olis.oregonlegislature.gov/liz/mediaplayer?clientID=4879615486&eventID=2022061028
The committee chair, Representative Paul Evans, intends to bring draft legislation forward in the 2023 Legislature to help Oregon be better prepared for future emergencies. The future of the Committee is uncertain, however. In order to keep working, the Committee will need to be officially formed during the 2023 Legislative Session. Ultimately the Speaker of the House, Representative Dan Rayfield, decides what Committees will exist and who will sit on them. Speaker Rayfield will likely consider if there are substantial outstanding issues that continue to need to be addressed, and his thinking may also be influenced by how fire season evolves over the summer and fall months.
If you would like to express your opinion on the question of whether or not the Committee is formed for the 2023 Legislature, contact Representative Dan Rayfield at rep.danrayfield@oregonlegislature.gov or 503-986-1416.