HB 3419
Directs the Water Resources Department to study rules related to water.
Jurisdiction
Oregon
Session
2025 Regular Session
Committee
Agriculture, Land Use, Natural Resources, and Water
Take action
Record your position on this measure.
Sign in to record your position, submit testimony, or contact your legislator.
Sign in to take actionPublic sentiment
Support
27%
Oppose
73%
- Introduced
- Passed House
- Passed Senate
- To Governor
- Became Law
Bill overview
House Bill 3419 directs the Oregon Water Resources Department to conduct a study of existing rules related to water. The department is tasked with analyzing these rules and submitting a report, potentially including recommendations for new legislation, to the Legislative Assembly’s interim committees by September 15, 2026. This study aims to provide a comprehensive review of the current regulatory framework for water resources in Oregon. The bill also includes a sunset provision, with Section 2 repealing Section 1 on January 2, 2027.
Key provisions
- Directs the Water Resources Department to study water-related rules.
- Requires the department to submit a report to the Legislative Assembly’s interim committees.
- Sets a deadline of September 15, 2026, for the report submission.
- Allows the report to include recommendations for new legislation.
- Includes a sunset provision, repealing the bill’s provisions on January 2, 2027.
Who is affected
- Oregon Water Resources Department
- Oregon Legislative Assembly
- Stakeholders in Oregon’s water resources sector
Notable changes
- Establishes a formal review process for existing water regulations.
- Mandates a report with potential legislative recommendations.
Sponsors
Official sponsors from legislative records.
Primary sponsors
Arguments in favor
Reasons to support this legislation.
Supporters of HB 3419 agree that clarifying statutory authority for water use measurement and reporting is essential to address over-appropriation of Oregon's water resources and ensure a sustainable water future. They emphasize the need for improved data-driven decision making, citing growing concerns about water scarcity in Central Oregon and the lack of foundational water measurement data in the state. By standardizing authorities and providing a flexible toolbox for the Department of Water Resources, HB 3419 aims to enhance water measurement and reporting across Oregon, enabling transparent and efficient water management that prioritizes long-term sustainability.
Source: Testimony Summaries
Arguments opposed
Reasons to oppose this legislation.
The opposition to HB3419 expresses concerns that mandating water meters on private wells will impose an undue financial burden on rural Oregonians, particularly small-scale farmers and ranchers who already struggle with mismanaged water rights transactions. Many the bill's requirements will create unnecessary costs, limit individual autonomy in managing their own water resources, and potentially expose the state to unintended consequences due to data protection concerns. They argue that the legislation is an overreach of government authority and may violate Oregon's Constitution, leading to potential economic and social consequences, including increased negative environmental impacts if small-scale farms are pushed out of business.