HB 3116
Appropriates moneys from the General Fund to the Water Resources Department for place-based water planning.
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Sign in to take actionPublic sentiment
Support
67%
Oppose
33%
- Introduced
- Passed House
- Passed Senate
- To Governor
- Became Law
Bill overview
This bill provides funding from the state’s General Fund to the Water Resources Department. The money will be used to support place-based water planning initiatives in specific Oregon districts and counties, such as the Seal Rock Water District and the Harney County Watershed Council. An emergency declaration allows the bill to take effect immediately on July 1, 2025.
Key provisions
- Allocates $2,000,000 to the Water Resources Department.
- Funds distribution to the Seal Rock Water District for its water resources plan.
- Funds distribution to the Harney County Watershed Council for its water resources plan.
- Funds distribution to Union County for its water resources plan.
- Funds distribution to the Gilliam County Soil and Water Conservation District for its water resources plan.
- Establishes a Place-Based Water Planning Fund.
Who is affected
- Water Resources Department
- Seal Rock Water District
- Harney County Watershed Council
- Union County
- Gilliam County Soil and Water Conservation District
Notable changes
- Provides dedicated funding for place-based water planning.
- Directs funds to specific districts and counties for implementation of their plans.
Fiscal impact
The bill appropriates $2,000,000 and additional amounts to specific districts, representing a state investment in water resource planning.
Sponsors
Official sponsors from legislative records.
Primary sponsors
Arguments in favor
Reasons to support this legislation.
Supporters of House Bill 3116 agree that place-based water planning is essential for addressing critical regional challenges, particularly in Oregon's Central Coast region. Proponents emphasize the benefits of certainty and collaboration, highlighting successful models such as High Desert Partnership, which has demonstrated its ability to solve complex rural issues through collaborative efforts. The Association of Oregon Counties and the Oregon Association of Conservation Districts also support the bill, citing its promotion of effective water resource management and cost-effective basin assessments. By providing a framework for state-local partnerships and watershed regions, HB 3116 is seen as a crucial step towards addressing groundwater issues and promoting sustainable development in rural communities.
Source: Testimony Summaries
Arguments opposed
Reasons to oppose this legislation.
Opponents of HB 3116-2 express concerns about the bill's inconsistencies with past workgroups and its failure to acknowledge Oregon's established water resources stewardship as a primary task of public ownership. They also argue that certain sections, such as Section 1, direct the development of plans based on recommendations from previous documents, which they believe may not accurately reflect current needs or priorities. Additionally, WaterWatch notes that the bill's draft does not adequately address concerns about Oregon's water resources management, highlighting a potential disconnect between legislative direction and effective governance.