71st OREGON LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY--2001 Regular Session
 
NOTE:  Matter within  { +  braces and plus signs + } in an
amended section is new. Matter within  { -  braces and minus
signs - } is existing law to be omitted. New sections are within
 { +  braces and plus signs + } .
 
LC 2816
 
                           A-Engrossed
 
                         House Bill 3487
                  Ordered by the House April 30
            Including House Amendments dated April 30
 
Sponsored by Representative KRIEGER (at the request of Oregon
  Community Trees)
 
 
                             SUMMARY
 
The following summary is not prepared by the sponsors of the
measure and is not a part of the body thereof subject to
consideration by the Legislative Assembly. It is an editor's
brief statement of the essential features of the measure.
 
  Establishes Municipal Tree Restoration Program in State
Forestry Department. Establishes Municipal Tree Restoration
Account. Requires transfer of specified moneys from Department of
Transportation to account.
 
                        A BILL FOR AN ACT
Relating to planting of trees in highway rights-of-way; and
  appropriating money.
  Whereas Oregon's street trees, those trees planted or growing
in the rights-of-way of highways within urban growth boundaries
of cities, are a valuable component of the state's transportation
system; and
  Whereas this resource has not been adequately maintained in
relation to other highway infrastructure items such as pavement,
sidewalks and signage; and
  Whereas street trees are effective tools in slowing traffic and
creating safer streets; and
  Whereas trees mitigate the harmful effects of pollution created
by motor vehicles and recent statistics indicate that 20 trees
are needed to offset the pollution created by driving one car 60
miles per day; and
  Whereas Oregon lacks a dedicated tree-planting grant program;
and
  Whereas street trees need systematic care and replacement in
order to maintain public safety; now, therefore,
Be It Enacted by the People of the State of Oregon:
  SECTION 1.  { + (1) The Municipal Tree Restoration Program is
established in the State Forestry Department, to be administered
jointly by the department and the Department of Transportation.
The purpose of the program is to provide matching grants and
technical assistance to Oregon communities for the planting and
maintenance of street trees within urban growth boundaries.
  (2) The Municipal Tree Restoration Account is established in
the State Treasury separate and distinct from the General Fund.
Interest on moneys in the account shall be credited to the
account. The account shall consist of moneys transferred from the
Department of Transportation under section 2 of this 2001 Act.
  (3) Moneys in the Municipal Tree Restoration Account are
continuously appropriated to the State Forestry Department for
purposes of the Municipal Tree Restoration Program.
  (4) The Director of Transportation and the State Forester shall
appoint an advisory committee to advise the State Forester on the
Municipal Tree Restoration Program. The committee shall consist
of one representative of each of the following:
  (a) The Department of Transportation;
  (b) The State Forestry Department;
  (c) Oregon State University Extension Service;
  (d) The Oregon nursery industry;
  (e) The Oregon landscape industry;
  (f) An Oregon nonprofit tree advocacy organization;
  (g) The League of Oregon Cities; and
  (h) Public or investor-owned utilities. The person appointed
under this paragraph shall be an arborist.
  (5) The State Forester shall adopt rules specifying the process
by which communities may apply for matching grants under this
section and the standards to be used in awarding grants.
  (6) As used in this section:
  (a) 'Highway' has the meaning given that term in ORS 801.305.
  (b) 'Street tree' means a tree planted or growing in the
right-of-way of a highway. + }
  SECTION 2.  { + After any distribution of moneys to cities and
counties, the Department of Transportation shall transfer 20
cents from each registration fee collected under ORS 803.420 to
the Municipal Tree Restoration Account established under section
1 of this 2001 Act. + }
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