Signed by Governor Tina Kotek

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that increases compensation to ranchers for wolf kills in Oregon.

Highlights:

• Requires the state Department of Agriculture to establish a wolf depredation compensation and financial assistance grant program to provide proper compensation for ranchers who lose livestock or working dogs to wolves (Sec. 1). 

• Specifies that financial assistance shall be provided to ranchers who implement livestock management techniques or nonlethal wolf deterrence techniques designed to discourage wolf depredation of livestock (Sec. 1). 

• Requires participating counties to prepare annual reports describing their actions taken under this grant program, including the amounts provided as compensation to ranchers (Sec. 1). 

• Authorizes county advisory committees to determine amounts of compensation for each loss or injury to a livestock animal or working dog that is (Sec. 1):

• No more than $25,000 per animal;

• Up to 5 times the fair market value of any cow-calf or yearling, sheep, or goat;

• Up to 3 times the fair market value of any other type of cow; and

• The fair market value of a horse, any livestock animal not otherwise described in the provisions of this bill, or a working dog.

• Specifies that the provisions of this bill shall take effect immediately upon passage and approval by the Governor (Sec. 2).

Full Bill Text

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that increases compensation to ranchers for wolf kills in Oregon.

Highlights:

• Requires the state Department of Agriculture to establish a wolf depredation compensation and financial assistance grant program to provide proper compensation for ranchers who lose livestock or working dogs to wolves (Sec. 1). 

• Specifies that financial assistance shall be provided to ranchers who implement livestock management techniques or nonlethal wolf deterrence techniques designed to discourage wolf depredation of livestock (Sec. 1). 

• Requires participating counties to prepare annual reports describing their actions taken under this grant program, including the amounts provided as compensation to ranchers (Sec. 1). 

• Authorizes county advisory committees to determine amounts of compensation for each loss or injury to a livestock animal or working dog that is (Sec. 1):

• No more than $25,000 per animal;

• Up to 5 times the fair market value of any cow-calf or yearling, sheep, or goat;

• Up to 3 times the fair market value of any other type of cow; and

• The fair market value of a horse, any livestock animal not otherwise described in the provisions of this bill, or a working dog.

• Specifies that the provisions of this bill shall take effect immediately upon passage and approval by the Governor (Sec. 2).

Full Bill Text