SALEM, Ore. — With another wildfire season right around the corner, state lawmakers are looking into ways to protect homeowners from increasing insurance costs.

Back in 2022, dozens of local residents in Southern Oregon claimed their insurance companies increased their insurance rates, or dropped them entirely due to the state’s wildfire risk map. Although insurance companies still deny those allegations, lawmakers up in Salem are hoping to put local’s minds at ease with Senate Bill 82.

If passed, Senate 82  would prohibit insurance companies from using the statewide map of wildfire risk as a basis for canceling policy or increasing premium.

“We need a map at some point to know where to target our efforts and our assistance,” said Senator Jeff Golden. “We don’t wanna make people anxious that the publication of a map is gonna affect their insurance rates.”

On top of the ban, SB-82 would also help homeowners in other ways. If passed the bill would help homeowners by forcing insurance companies to issue lower premiums or stop cancellations those who take extra efforts to protect their home.

“The real goal here is to get and make sure that homeowners and property owners who do the best that they can to reduce wildfire risk have access to affordable insurance,” Golden said.

The bill would also require insurance companies to provide specific details as to why a homeowners insurance is increasing or why someone’s policy is being dropped.

“If the insurance companies cancels somebody’s policy or really increases rates, they’re