Sen. Knopp: SB 644 passing to help rural housing

Senator Knopp Leads Oregon Senate in Passing Bipartisan Bill Removing Rural Housing Construction Barrier
By Oregon Senate Republican Office,

SALEM, Ore. – Yesterday, the Oregon Senate passed Senate Bill 644A, a Republican bill receiving overwhelming bipartisan support. The measure allows accessory dwelling units (ADUs) to be built in rural areas at risk for wildfire to resilient building standards.

“ADUs are an effective tool in bringing housing to rural Oregon. The state’s chaotic and ineffective release of wildfire risk maps (SB 762) in 2021 not only put rural Oregonians’ home insurance rates in crisis, but it also limits our ability to provide rural housing options. Until the wildfire maps are resolved, SB 644A removes that barrier. I am confident this is the bipartisan solution we need to finish the work we started in 2021,” said Senate Republican Leader Tim Knopp (R-Bend), co-chief sponsor of the bill.

“SB 644A is the result of collaborative efforts between local government and citizens to help those struggling to find housing in less-populated areas of the state, and to continue towards our goal of reaching 36,000 units per year,” added Deputy Leader Dick Anderson (R-Lincoln City).

“Though this bill alone will not solve the housing crisis, it is an important step we need to take to start chipping away at it,” concluded Deputy Leader Lynn Findley (R-Vale), co-chief sponsor of the bill.

SB 644A is the second bill introduced by Senator Knopp that has passed in the Senate with overwhelming bipartisan support. It now heads to the Oregon House of Representatives for consideration.