HB 3122
Directs the State Parks and Recreation Department to exercise good-faith efforts to enter into an agreement with the United States Department of the Interior's Bureau of Reclamation and Bureau of Land Management to establish and implement an access fee for use of Owyhee Lake Road.
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Sign in to take actionPublic sentiment
Support
83%
Oppose
17%
- Introduced
- Passed House
- Passed Senate
- To Governor
- Became Law
Bill overview
This bill directs the Oregon State Parks and Recreation Department to work with the U.S. Department of the Interior’s Bureau of Reclamation and Bureau of Land Management to create an access fee for using Owyhee Lake Road. The funds collected from this fee would be used for road maintenance, infrastructure improvements, and safety upgrades. The agreement must include a committee with representatives from various agencies and Malheur County.
Key provisions
- Directs the State Parks and Recreation Department to negotiate an agreement.
- Specifies the federal agencies involved: Bureau of Reclamation and Bureau of Land Management.
- Outlines the intended use of access fee revenue: road maintenance, infrastructure, and safety upgrades.
- Requires the establishment of a committee with representatives from multiple entities.
- Mandates the committee to evaluate visitor data.
- Requires the committee to set and adjust the access fee.
- Includes minimum terms for the agreement, such as a committee structure and allocation of funds.
Who is affected
- Oregon State Parks and Recreation Department
- Bureau of Reclamation
- Bureau of Land Management
- Malheur County Residents
- Visitors to Owyhee Lake Road
Notable changes
- Establishes a system for charging an access fee for Owyhee Lake Road.
- Designates specific uses for the revenue generated from the access fee.
Sponsors
Official sponsors from legislative records.
Primary sponsor
Cosponsor
Arguments in favor
Reasons to support this legislation.
Supporters of HB3122 advocate for implementing an access fee on Owyhee Lake Road to address growing traffic and safety concerns. The proposed fee would generate revenue for road improvements and maintenance, alleviating pressure on the existing system and reducing the burden on taxpayers. Additionally, a waiver provision would ensure fairness to residents who cannot afford or do not wish to pay the fee, while also exploring alternative solutions such as reducing user numbers or improving infrastructure. By prioritizing law enforcement and addressing safety concerns, supporters believe that a separate funding mechanism, potentially supplemented by revenue from marijuana tax money, is necessary to ensure the long-term sustainability of Owyhee Lake Road.
Source: Testimony Summaries
Arguments opposed
Reasons to oppose this legislation.
that individuals should not be required to pay toll fees every time they access a road leading to a state park like Owyhee State Park, citing concerns over fairness and accessibility. They contend that tolls impose an unnecessary burden on visitors who wish to enjoy the park's facilities, potentially restricting their ability to do so. Furthermore, testifiers point out that other roads leading to state parks are often exempt from tolls, creating an uneven playing field, and suggest that the revenue generated from tolls could be more effectively allocated towards maintaining and improving the park itself rather than generating additional income.