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83rd OREGON LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY--2025 Regular Session
A-Engrossed
Senate Bill 1061
Ordered by the Senate April 18
Including Senate Amendments dated April 18
Sponsored by Senator NASH; Senator SMITH DB
SUMMARY
The following summary is not prepared by the sponsors of the measure and is not a part of the body thereof subject
to consideration by the Legislative Assembly. It is an editor’s brief statement of the essential features of the
measure. The statement includes a measure digest written in compliance with applicable readability standards.
Digest: The Act requires the creation of a lumber grading training program. The Act requires
DCBS to create a process for certain people to obtain lumber from those who have gone through
the program. (Flesch Readability Score: 69.5).
Requires the Director of the Oregon State University Extension Service to establish a lumber
grading training pilot program. Establishes the requirements of the pilot program.[Requires the
State Board of Forestry to establish a certification process for those individuals who have successfully
completed the lumber grading training program.]
Requires the Department of Consumer and Business Services to establish a process by which
specified individuals may obtain lumber from an individual who is certified as having completed the
lumber grading training pilot program.
Sunsets the pilot program on January 2, 2033.
A BILL FOR AN ACT
Relating to a lumber grading training program.
Be It Enacted by the People of the State of Oregon:
SECTION 1. (1) The Oregon State University Extension Service shall, in consultation with
the Department of Consumer and Business Services, establish a basic lumber grading train-
ing pilot program to be offered annually through the extension service.Establishment of the
pilot program under this subsection must include a determination of the:
(a) General requirements for successfully completing the pilot program.
(b) Requirements for initial certification and recertification.
(c) Content of the pilot program. At minimum, the content of the pilot program must
include:
(A) A minimum of eight instructional hours, including hands-on practice with physical
lumber samples; and
(B) Instruction in regionally relevant species identification, moisture content consider-
ations and visual grading criteria for structural dimension lumber.
(d) Certification requirements for instructors teaching the pilot program. At minimum,
to be certified instructors must:
(A) Demonstrate substantial expertise in visual lumber grading through:
(i) A valid grader certification from an organization that administers an accreditation
program for the grademarking of lumber produced under a system that is the basis for the
sale and purchase of softwood lumber;
(ii) Seven years of professional experience in lumber grading, quality control or wood
products education, with demonstrated knowledge of visual grading rules applicable to re-
NOTE:Matter in boldfaced type in an amended section is new; matter [italic and bracketed] is existing law to be omitted.
New sections are in boldfaced type.
LC 1679 A-Eng. SB 1061
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gionally relevant species; or
(iii) Equivalent qualifications approved by the extension service based on professional
history, training and relevant industry involvement; and
(B) Maintain continued competency through industry involvement, refresher coursework
or other methods approved by the extension service.
(2) The extension service shall issue certifications and recertifications to those individ-
uals who have successfully completed the pilot program.
(3) An individual who holds an initial certification as having successfully completed the
pilot program must be recertified every five years.
SECTION 2. (1) As used in this section:
(a) “Self-graded lumber” means lumber graded by an individual who is certified to grade
lumber through the pilot program established under section 1 of this 2025 Act.
(b) “Third-party graded lumber” means lumber bearing a valid grade stamp from a
grading agency accredited by an organization that administers an accreditation program for
the grademarking of lumber produced under a system that is the basis for the sale and
purchase of softwood lumber.
(2) The Department of Consumer and Business Services shall establish by rule a process
by which a builder, designer or owner may use lumber that is tested and approved by an in-
dividual who is certified under section 1 of this 2025 Act.
(3) The process established under subsection (2) of this section:
(a) May not establish, create or accept any new grade or design value as part of the
state’s building code.
(b) Shall permit the use of self-graded lumber only for structures that are subject to the
Oregon Residential Specialty Code.
(c) Shall require that the intent of a builder, design professional, contractor and home-
owner to use self-graded lumber must be disclosed in writing at the time of the building
permit application. Disclosure under this paragraph must be made to an inspector who is li-
censed by the department or a municipality administering and enforcing a building inspection
program. The writing required under this paragraph must be filed with the county clerk, who
shall make the writing a part of the permanent deed record of the property.
(d) The lumber used for self-graded lumber must originate from a known source, re-
quiring a documented relationship or permit between the lumber owner and the purchaser
of the milled lumber.
(4)(a) No manufacturer, distributor, wholesaler, retailer or grader of third-party graded
lumber may be held liable in whole or in part for a failure of or defect in self-graded lumber
incorporated in the same structure.
(b) This subsection applies only to structures permitted under subsection (3)(b) of this
section in which self-graded lumber is incorporated.
SECTION 3. Sections 1 and 2 of this 2025 Act are repealed on January 2, 2033.
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