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 3829
 
                           A-Engrossed
 
                         House Bill 3522
                   Ordered by the House May 22
             Including House Amendments dated May 22
 
Sponsored by Representative BUTLER
 
 
                             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.
 
  Requires State   { - Fish and Wildlife Commission - }   { + of
Oregon + } to compensate landowner for predation of livestock,
crops { + , trees, timber + } or forage by game mammals
 { - , - }   { + or + } game birds   { - or certain predatory
animals - } . Authorizes compensation from   { - Predatory
Animal, Rabbit and Rodent Control - }   { + General + } Fund.
Requires  { + State Fish and Wildlife + } Commission, in
consultation with State Department of Agriculture, to determine
animal unit months for game mammals  { - , - }   { + and + } game
birds   { - and predatory animals - } . Requires commission to
develop method to verify landowner claims prior to compensation.
 
                        A BILL FOR AN ACT
Relating to predation.
  Whereas the Legislative Assembly recognizes that agricultural
producers and agricultural lands provide habitat and forage for
this state's wildlife populations; and
  Whereas this provision of habitat and forage for wildlife also
benefits the citizens of Oregon; and
  Whereas agricultural producers and owners of agricultural land
should be compensated for their losses resulting from this
state's wildlife; now, therefore,
Be It Enacted by the People of the State of Oregon:
  SECTION 1.  { + Section 2 of this 2001 Act is added to and made
a part of the wildlife laws. + }
  SECTION 2.  { + (1) For the purposes of this section, 'animal
unit month' means the amount of crops, trees, timber or forage
consumed by one animal unit for one month.
  (2) The State of Oregon shall compensate a landowner for the
death of or injury to livestock that results from predation by
game mammals. Compensation under this subsection shall be based
on the market value of the livestock and shall be made from the
General Fund.
  (3) The State of Oregon shall compensate a landowner for loss
of agricultural crops, trees or timber or forage intended for
livestock that results from predation by game mammals or game
birds. Compensation under this subsection shall be based on the
animal unit month as determined by the State Fish and Wildlife
Commission under subsection (4) of this section and assigned to
the game mammal or game bird for the crops, trees, timber or
forage lost. Compensation under this subsection shall be made
from the General Fund.
  (4) In consultation with the State Department of Agriculture,
the commission shall determine animal unit months for all game
mammals and game birds.
  (5) The commission shall develop a system to verify landowner
claims regarding death of or injury to livestock and loss of
agricultural crops, trees or timber or forage intended for
livestock and to issue compensation under subsections (2) and (3)
of this section. + }
  SECTION 3.  { + Compensation required under section 2 of this
2001 Act applies to predation of livestock or loss of
agricultural crops, trees or timber or forage intended for
livestock occurring on or after the effective date of this 2001
Act. + }
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