HEPPNER, Ore.- Representative Gregory Smith (R-Heppner) is calling for an emergency special session of the State Legislature to respond to wildfires burning across Oregon, especially throughout District 57.
“District 57 is at the center of this disaster, with communities across Gilliam, Wheeler, Wasco, Jefferson, and Umatilla counties under evacuation and families losing their homes,” said Rep. Smith.
Several fires are currently burning in District 57, including the Rowe Creek Complex in Wheeler and Wasco Counties (126,000 acres), the Hoag Fire in Gilliam County (50,400 acres), and the Hagen Fire in Umatilla County (7,419 acres).
Governor Tina Kotek has invoked the state Conflagration Act, however, volunteers and local fire crews are stretched thin across the state, and no remaining complex incident management teams are available, according to the Oregon Department of Forestry.
Rep. Smith is urging his colleagues in both chambers to return to Salem as soon as possible, rather than wait for the next legislative session scheduled to start in January.
“A special session would allow us to appropriate emergency funding, strengthen firefighting resources, and provide real support to the residents, farmers, ranchers, and businesses that have suffered devastating losses.”
Under Article IV, Section 10a of the Oregon Constitution and ORS 171.015, legislators may call themselves into special session, providing a path to quickly respond to the state’s wildfire emergency, according to Smith.
The process of legislators calling a special session begins when members of each chamber file a written request with the Legislative Administrator.
According to Rep. Smith’s office, ballots are then sent to every legislator, and if a majority of members in both the House and Senate approve, the presiding officers must issue a proclamation convening the Legislature within five days.
If a special session is called, Rep. Smith plans to work with members of both parties to pass emergency wildfire legislation.
“Our ranchers, first responders, volunteers, and local communities are carrying an extraordinary burden,” Smith said. “The Legislature has both the responsibility and the constitutional authority to act immediately. Oregonians deserve action now, not months from now.”
