H.R. 7603

119 HR 7603 IH: To amend the Act of August 28, 1937 (commonly referred to as the “O&C Act”) with respect to timber production.
 U.S. House of Representatives
 2026-02-20
 text/xml
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 I  119th CONGRESS  2d Session  H. R. 7603  IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES   February 20, 2026   Mr. Bentz  introduced the following bill; which was referred to the  Committee on Natural Resources    A BILL
To amend the Act of August 28, 1937 (commonly referred to as the  O&C Act ) with respect to timber production.
1.
Short title
This Act may be cited as the   O&C Renewal Act of 2026  .
2.
Timber production affirmed as primary purpose of O&C lands
The first sentence of the Act of August 28, 1937 ( 43 U.S.C. 2601 et seq. ; commonly referred to as the  O&C Act ) is amended by striking  sustained yield  and all that follows through the colon and inserting  sustained yield. The primary purpose with respect to the use of such lands shall be for permanent timber production carried out in accordance with the principle of sustained yield to generate revenues to support county government services. The secondary purposes with respect to the use of the land are to contribute to the economic stability of local communities and industries, protect watersheds, regulate water flow, provide recreational opportunities, and reduce the risk of catastrophic wildfires: .
3.
Fire protection for O&C lands
Section 5 of the Act of August 28, 1937 ( 43 U.S.C. 2601 et seq. ; commonly referred to as the  O&C Act ) is amended by striking  Provided  and all that follows through the period at the end and inserting   Provided,  The Secretary shall, with respect to such timberlands (1) meet or exceed the fire protection standards and capacity and readiness applicable to lands adjacent to such timberlands that are under the jurisdiction of the State of Oregon; (2) enter into fire protection agreements with the State of Oregon and applicable forest protective associations to meet the requirements under paragraph (1); and (3) provide compensation for services provided under any agreement entered into pursuant to paragraph (2). .
4.
Definition of timberlands
Title I of the Act of August 28, 1937 ( 43 U.S.C. 2601 et seq. ; commonly referred to as the  O&C Act ) is amended by adding at the end the following:
6.
Definition of timberlands
For purposes of this Act, the term  timberlands  shall include lands bearing or capable of bearing a growth of timber not less than 300,000 feet board measure on each 40-acre subdivision.
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5.
Revision of resource management plans
Not later than 2 years after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of the Interior shall issue a record of decision revising each resource management plan relating to the lands under the Act of August 28, 1937 ( 43 U.S.C. 2601 et seq. ; commonly referred to as the  O&C Act ) and designating timberlands in accordance with the amendments made by this Act.