Oregon legislation · 2026 Legislative Measures
Oregon SB1561: Relating to restoration of dwellings damaged by involuntary causes.
Status: Chaptered, April 6, 2026
Digest: This Act allows an owner a separate path to restore a destroyed home. (Flesch Readability Score: 69.9). Requires local governments to approve restoration or replacement of dwellings rendered uninhabitable under an alternative process that is not a land use decision.
What the bill says
From the enrolled text, March 3, 2026:
83rd OREGON LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY--2026 Regular Session Senate Bill 1561 Sponsored by Senator WEBER, Representatives WRIGHT, EDWARDS; Senators DRAZAN, FREDERICK, PATTERSON, SMITH DB, THATCHER, Representatives GOMBERG, HARTMAN, HELFRICH, JAVADI, LEVY B, MANNIX, MCDONALD, OWENS, RESCHKE, WISE (Presession filed.) CHAPTER ................................................. Relating to restoration of dwellings damaged by involuntary causes; creating new provisions; and amending ORS 215.213, 215.283 and 215.755. SECTION 1. Section 2 of this 2026 Act is added to and made a part of ORS chapter 197. SECTION 2. (1) The local government shall approve an application to restore or replace a dwelling damaged or destroyed by a natural or involuntary event if: (a) The former (B) Had indoor plumbing consisting of a kitchen sink, toilet and bathing facilities connected to a sanitary waste disposal system; (C) Had interior wiring for interior lights; (D) Had a heating system; and (E)(i) Was authorized by building permits or other regulatory approval process by the appropriate authority; or (ii) Was assessed as a residential dwelling for purposes of ad valorem taxation for the tax year beginning on July 1, years before the date of the application, and is not subject to unresolved enforcement proceedings challenging the lawfulness of the dwelling; and (b) The proposed dwelling (B) Be adequately served by water, sanitation and roads; (C) Be located wholly or partially within the footprint …
Sponsors
- Suzanne Weber (R, 16) · primary sponsor
- Gerald Wright (R, 9) · primary sponsor
- Christine Drazan (R, 51)
- Lew Frederick (D, 22)
- David Smith (R, 1)
- Lona Thatcher (R, 11)
- Annessa Hartman (D, 40)
- Jeff Helfrich (R, 52)
- Cyrus Javadi (R, 32)
- Levy B (I)
- Kevin Mannix (R, 21)
- McDonald, Sarah (D, 16)
Latest actions
- : Effective date, January 1, 2027.
- : Chapter 89, 2026 Laws.
- : Governor signed.
- : Speaker signed.
- : President signed.
- : Third reading. Carried by Wright. Passed.
- : Second reading.
- : Recommendation: Do pass.
- : Work Session held.
- : Public Hearing held.
Votes
- Third reading. Carried by Wright. Passed. (March 2, 2026): 45 yea, 0 nay, passed
- HHOUSH Committee Vote (February 26, 2026): 11 yea, 0 nay, passed
- Third reading. Carried by Weber. Passed. (February 19, 2026): 28 yea, 0 nay, passed
- SHDEV Committee Vote (February 12, 2026): 4 yea, 1 nay, passed
Common questions
- What is SB1561?
- SB1561 is a bill in the Oregon Legislature (2026 Legislative Measures): Relating to restoration of dwellings damaged by involuntary causes.
- What does SB1561 do?
- Digest: This Act allows an owner a separate path to restore a destroyed home. (Flesch Readability Score: 69.9). Requires local governments to approve restoration or replacement of dwellings rendered uninhabitable under an alternative process that is not a land use decision.
- What is the status of SB1561?
- Chaptered as of April 6, 2026. Latest action: Effective date, January 1, 2027. (April 6, 2026).
- Who sponsored SB1561?
- Suzanne Weber (R, 16), with 11 co-sponsors.
- Where is the official record for SB1561?
- On the Oregon Legislature website: https://olis.oregonlegislature.gov/liz/2026R1/Measures/Overview/1561
Source: official Oregon record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.