HB 3364
Makes changes related to a water supply grant program.
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Sign in to take actionPublic sentiment
Support
20%
Oppose
80%
- Introduced
- Passed House
- Passed Senate
- To Governor
- Became Law
Bill overview
This bill makes changes to Oregon’s water supply grant program. It directs the Water Resources Department to report on certain funding programs every eight years and amends several Oregon Revised Statutes (ORS) to clarify grant eligibility, reporting requirements, and funding procedures. Specifically, it expands the types of projects eligible for grants, establishes a matching fund requirement, and outlines criteria for evaluating grant applications, including prioritizing projects that benefit aquatic life and align with the state’s integrated water resources strategy. The bill also updates the funding mechanism for the Water Supply Development Account.
Key provisions
- Expands eligible projects for water supply grants to include water conservation, reuse, aquifer recharge, aquifer storage and recovery, streamflow protection/restoration, and water storage projects.
- Requires a 25% in-kind or cash cost match for all grants awarded.
- Directs the Water Resources Department to report on funding programs to a legislative committee every eight years.
- Modifies ORS 541.561 to clarify grant recipients and eligible project types.
- Updates ORS 541.566 to include a broader range of activities eligible for funding studies.
- Establishes a system for scoring and ranking grant applications based on economic, environmental, and social benefits.
- Requires projects receiving grants to demonstrate a commitment to in-stream water use.
- Mandates the Water Resources Department to consider seasonally varying flows when evaluating projects.
Who is affected
Sponsors
Official sponsors from legislative records.
Primary sponsors
Cosponsor
Arguments in favor
Reasons to support this legislation.
Supporters of HB 3364 Amendment revisions, as reflected in the testimony summaries, emphasize the importance of collaboration and effective use of resources. They appreciate the efforts to revise the feasibility study and water project grants, recognizing that these changes will enhance the overall efficiency and impact of the proposed water management plan. Proponents argue that this revised approach will better address the region's water needs, promote sustainable development, and ensure a more equitable distribution of resources among stakeholders. By prioritizing cooperation and evidence-based decision-making, supporters believe that HB 3364 A will ultimately benefit the community and contribute to a more resilient water infrastructure.
Source: Testimony Summaries
Arguments opposed
Reasons to oppose this legislation.
Opponents of HB 3364 express concerns about the bill's potential impact on the Water Supply Grant and Loan Fund. They argue that the proposed changes undermine the fund's key provisions aimed at ensuring projects funded by the program provide robust environmental, social, and economic public benefits. Additionally, some testifiers question the necessity and accuracy of applying seasonally varying flow conditions to specific projects, such as the City of Stayton's Aquifer Storage and Recovery project. Furthermore, concerns about lack of transparency in new laws affecting Oregon's waterways and potential uncertainty in project evaluation and funding decisions are also raised, with some fearing that public dollars may be allocated to projects with less public benefit, ultimately compromising the fund's intended goals.