Legislation Looks To Define Oregon Ag Buildings

Depending on which Oregon county you're in, farm buildings can be taxed differently, and at different rates.  To cut through the confusion and clutter, Representative Shelly Boshart Davis has introduced legislation that differentiates between a building or structure that's industrial versus one that's going to be in use for preparation for shipment.

Farmers, Assessors Need Consistency

“For example, you're not going to sell a grass seed," she noted.  "You have to clean it, bag it so that it's prepared for shipment.  And to be able to define it in that way, whether we're talking about hay, pressing for shipment, or seed cleaning or carrots and being able to prepare those for shipment, that's still an ag, an ag preparatory process.  And so that should be taxed accordingly.”

Boshart Davis added that she’s been working with assessors statewide on House Bill 4130, and they are in support of the effort.  She said all parties are looking for clarity to ensure uniformity statewide.

The Albany-area farmer added this legislation is pivotal as producers are facing tighter budgets and smaller bottom lines.

We Need This For Current And Future Farmers

“We have to make sure that the special tax assessment for farm use is not just clarified but preserved for the future and that's just not happening and like I said that is different from county to county, so we need this across the board so that it's much better defined,” Boshart Davis said.

Click Here to learn more about House Bill 4130.

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