May 5, 2021 3:30 a.m.

On Tuesday the Oregon House passed legislation to create flexibility for property owners trying to rebuild following last year’s devastating wildfires.

A release from Oregon House Democrats said House Bill 2289 will remove barriers in the permitting process and allow property owners to rebuild with reasonable alterations to the previous structure without needing to go back through the entire permitting process.

Chief sponsor Representative Brian Clem said, “So many Oregonians lost everything during last year’s fire season”. He said the legislation ensures that fire victims can rebuild in a way that fits their needs, “…without the fear of getting caught up in red tape”.

Representative Paul Evans said that people in many communities are hurting and many are just now beginning to rebuild. He said, “After a year with so many challenges, we can make this process easier for them”.

House Bill 2289 passed with unanimous support. It now moves onto the Senate for consideration.