A series of four hearings on Timber Harvest and Severance taxes began on February 18 in the House Committee on Agriculture and Natural Resources.
The series started with an overview of timber taxation and expenditures presented by Legislative Research Office Revenue Economist, Jaime McGovern and Legislative Fiscal Office Principal Legislative Analyst, Matt Stayner. Oregon Department of Forestry State Forester, Peter Daughtery, Oregon State University College of Forestry Dean, Tom DeLuca, and Oregon Forest Resources Institute Executive Director, Erin Isselmann presented on the forest products harvest tax distribution.
During the February 23 meeting, Coos County Commissioner John Sweet and Association of Oregon Counties (AOC) Legislative Affairs Manager, Lauren Smith testified on behalf of AOC as part of an informational panel on key stakeholder perspectives related to timber taxation. AOC opposes the timber tax legislation being considered during the 2021 Legislative Session.
“As badly as the counties and other local taxing districts need the additional funding a severance tax might provide, it is secondary to the importance of jobs and the economic activity created by our timber and wood products industries. Rural Oregon simply cannot risk losing these industries,” said Sweet in his testimony.
Counties recognize the need to balance revenue sources with supporting and creating a sustainable tax system that helps local economies thrive.
Public testimony on the timber harvest and severance taxes was heard on February 25 and will continue to be heard by the committee on March 2.
Hearings and testimony can be viewed here.
Contributed by: Lauren Smith | Legislative Affairs Manager