OR HB3489

Imposes a new severance tax on timber harvested from public or private forestland at tiered rates based on acreage held in common ownership: 2% for 500 acres or less, 4% for 501-2,500 acres, 5% for 2,501-5,000 acres, and 6% for over 5,000 acres, with reduced rates for Forest Stewardship Council certified operations

Distributes severance tax revenue as follows: 40% to a new Wildfire Management Fund for fire suppression/mitigation/prevention, 40% to county general funds, 10% to the State Forestry Department Account, 5% to forest research and education, and 5% to watershed conservation grants

Repeals all existing forest products harvest taxes, abolishes the Emergency Fire Cost Committee and Oregon Forest Land Protection Fund, and eliminates the lot surcharge under ORS 477.277

Establishes the Wildfire Management Fund with a $125 million cap, with excess amounts redirected to watershed conservation; remaining funds in the Oregon Forest Land Protection Fund transfer to the new Wildfire Management Fund

Requires voter approval at the next regular general election and would become operative January 1, 2027 if approved