Safeguards for Public Land and Private Homes Move Ahead in the State Senate

Amid the 30-plus measures that moved through Oregon Senate committees this week were three key bills defending public land and private homes from rising threats. Senate Democrats voted to hinder federal selloffs of public land and to help keep property insurance affordable, especially in areas at risk for wildfires.

“Our rich natural landscape defines our shared home as Oregonians,” said Senate Majority Leader Kayse Jama (D – E Portland, Boring & Damascus). “It’s up to us to protect it from the Trump administration’s greed and to protect Oregon housing from insurance costs driven up by wildfire risk.”

Legislation is moving to the Senate floor that bars state and local governments from cooperating with the federal government if it tries to sell public land in Oregon. Approximately 53 percent of Oregon is federal public land. Senate Bill 1590, sponsored by Senator Anthony Broadman (D – Bend), passed the Senate Committee on Natural Resources and Wildfire Tuesday.

“Senate Bill 1590 affirms a simple principle: public lands should remain public, and decisions about our lands should reflect Oregon values,” said Senator Broadman. “This bill makes clear that if the federal government attempts to sell or privatize public lands, Oregon will not assist in that effort.”

Two other Senate bills tackle the rising cost of insuring homes in areas vulnerable to wildfire.

Senator Jeff Golden (D – Rogue Valley) is chief sponsor of Senate Bill 1540, requiring insurance companies to reduce rates for homeowners who take steps that reduce the risk of fire damaging their property. And Senator Sara Gelser Blouin (D – Corvallis, Albany & S. Salem) is behind Senate Bill 1551, a measure that voids any homeowners’ association rules or covenant documents in a planned community that prevent people from using fire-hardened materials on and around their homes.

“Each year, wildfire puts Oregonians and their homes at risk. Unfortunately, HOA restrictions prevent many Oregonians from removing hazards, like wooden fences from their properties or using fire hardened materials on their homes. This drives up insurance costs and creates unnecessary risk,” said Senator Gelser Blouin. “Senate Bill 1551 is a common-sense solution that cuts through the red tape so that Oregonians can protect their homes and their families in the upcoming fire season and beyond.”

“All property owners who work hard to reduce wildfire risk should have access to affordable and adequate insurance, said Senator Golden. “That’s the aim of this bill.”

Both Senator Golden’s and Senator Gelser Blouin’s bills earned unanimous support in the Senate Natural Resources Committee this week. Senate Bill 1551 is scheduled for a vote on the Senate floor Tuesday, February 17. Senate Bill 1540 goes next to the Senate Rules committee.

Oregon’s 2026 legislative session began February 2, and all bills must pass the committees they were referred to in the chamber where they were introduced—House or Senate—by the end of the day Monday, February 16. The session must end by March 8 according to the Oregon constitution.

This story is based on submitted information and has not been verified by our news team.