Restricts methods by which lands zoned for farm, forest or mixed farm and forest use may be redesignated for nonresource use.

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83rd OREGON LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY--2025 Regular Session
Senate Bill 73
Printed pursuant to Senate Interim Rule 213.28 by order of the President of the Senate in conformance with pre-
session filing rules, indicating neither advocacy nor opposition on the part of the President (at the request
of Senate Interim Committee on Natural Resources and Wildfire)
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 as introduced. The statement includes a measure digest written in compliance with applicable readability
standards.
Digest: This Act limits rezoning of farm and forest lands. (Flesch Readability Score: 75.5).
Restricts methods by which lands zoned for farm, forest or mixed farm and forest use may be
redesignated for nonresource use.
A BILL FOR AN ACT
Relating to redesignating resource lands for nonresource use; amending ORS 215.788.
Be It Enacted by the People of the State of Oregon:
SECTION 1.
ORS 215.788 is amended to read:
215.788. (1) For the purposes of correcting mapping errors made in the acknowledgment process
and updating the designation of farmlands and forestlands for land use planning, a county may
conduct a legislative review of lands in the county to determine whether the lands planned and
zoned for farm use, forest use or mixed farm and forest use are consistent with the definitions of
“agricultural lands” or “forest lands” in goals relating to agricultural lands or forestlands.
(2) A county may undertake the reacknowledgment process authorized by this section only if the
Department of Land Conservation and Development approves a work plan, from the county, de-
scribing the expected scope of reacknowledgment. The department may condition approval of a work
plan for reacknowledgment under this section to reflect the resources needed to complete the review
required by ORS 197.659 and 215.794. The work plan of the county and the approval of the de-
partment are not final orders for purposes of review.
(3) A county that undertakes the reacknowledgment process authorized by this section shall
provide an opportunity for all lands planned for farm use, forest use or mixed farm and forest use
and all lands subject to an exception under ORS 197.732 to a goal relating to agricultural lands or
forestlands to be included in the review.
(4) A county must plan and zone land reviewed under this section:
(a) For farm use if the land meets the definition of “agricultural land” in a goal relating to ag-
ricultural lands;
(b) For forest use if the land meets the definition of “forest land” used for comprehensive plan
amendments in the goal relating to forestlands;
(c) For mixed farm and forest use if the land meets both definitions;
(d) For nonresource use, consistent with ORS 215.794, if the land does not meet either definition;
or
(e) For a use other than farm use or forest use as provided in a goal relating to land use plan-
ning process and policy framework and subject to an exception to the appropriate goals under ORS
NOTE: Matter in boldfaced type in an amended section is new; matter [ italic and bracketed] is existing law to be omitted.
New sections are in boldfaced type.
LC 1251
SB 73
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197.732 (2).
(5) A county may consider the current land use pattern on adjacent and nearby lands in deter-
mining whether land meets the appropriate definition.
(6) Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter, a county may not approve an
amendment to a comprehensive plan that redesignates lands from farm use, forest use or
mixed farm and forest use to a nonresource use, except:
(a) As provided in this section;
(b) As a goal exception under ORS 197.732; or
(c) For lands that have been added to an urban growth boundary.
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