HB 3343
Requires the State Department of Fish and Wildlife to study natural resources.
Jurisdiction
Oregon
Session
2025 Regular Session
Committee
Agriculture, Land Use, Natural Resources, and Water
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Sign in to take actionPublic sentiment
Support
4%
Oppose
96%
- Introduced
- Passed House
- Passed Senate
- To Governor
- Became Law
Bill overview
This bill directs the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife to conduct a study of natural resources within the state. The department is required to submit a report, including potential legislative recommendations, to the Legislative Assembly’s interim committees by September 15, 2026. The study’s findings are set to expire on January 2, 2027.
Key provisions
- The State Department of Fish and Wildlife must study natural resources in Oregon.
- The department must submit a report to the Legislative Assembly’s interim committees.
- The report must include recommendations for legislation.
- The deadline for submitting the report is September 15, 2026.
- The study’s findings expire on January 2, 2027.
Who is affected
- State Department of Fish and Wildlife
- Legislative Assembly
- Oregon residents (through natural resource management)
Notable changes
- Establishes a requirement for the Department of Fish and Wildlife to conduct and report on natural resource studies.
Arguments in favor
Reasons to support this legislation.
The supporters of HB 3343-4 generally agree that the bill is essential for improving water data collection in Oregon, aligning with the state's public policy of treating water as a public resource. They argue that accurate measurement and reporting of water usage are crucial for protecting public water supplies, ensuring their availability for future generations, and supporting smart water management. By providing modest authorities for measuring and reporting water usage, the bill will benefit various stakeholders, including farmers, cities, and fish, by filling gaps in the state's water measurement and reporting toolbox. The Oregon Water Partnership specifically supports the bill as a key step towards building resilience for Oregon's water future and bringing water data into the 21st century.
Source: Testimony Summaries
Arguments opposed
Reasons to oppose this legislation.
Opponents of House Bill 3343 express strong concerns that the legislation would infringe on private property rights, impose unfair financial burdens, and grant excessive government control over water resources. Many that the bill's requirements for installing measurement devices on private wells would be a gross overreach of government authority, imposing unnecessary costs and regulatory burdens on rural residents and small businesses. They argue that the state should not be able to regulate and charge for water from private wells without permission or compensation for existing infrastructure, and that the proposed study is unnecessary and represents wasteful spending. Additionally, concerns about the potential impact of the bill on local agriculture, food affordability, and personal freedoms, with many opposing the legislation due to its perceived infringement on constitutional rights and lack of transparency.