HB 5040
Limits expenditures of lottery funds from the Watershed Conservation Grant Fund for local grant expenditures by the Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board for a six-year period beginning July 1, 2025.
Jurisdiction
Oregon
Session
2025 Regular Session
At the request of
(at the request of Oregon Department of Administrative Services)
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Sign in to take actionPublic sentiment
Support
100%
Oppose
0%
- Introduced
- Passed House
- Passed Senate
- To Governor
- Became Law
Bill overview
This bill restricts how money from the Oregon Lottery’s Watershed Conservation Grant Fund can be spent by the Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board. Starting July 1, 2025, the board can only use lottery funds for local grant expenditures as outlined in the Oregon Constitution. The bill establishes a six-year limit of $107,812,436 for these expenditures. An emergency declaration allows the law to take effect immediately.
Key provisions
- Establishes a six-year limit ($107,812,436) on lottery fund expenditures.
- Specifies that expenditures must be for local grant purposes as defined in the Oregon Constitution.
- Designates July 1, 2025, as the effective date.
- Relates to the financial administration of the Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board.
- Draws funds from the Watershed Conservation Grant Fund within the Parks and Natural Resources Fund.
Who is affected
- Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board
- Grant recipients funded by the Watershed Conservation Grant Fund
- Oregon Lottery players
- State of Oregon
- Parks and Natural Resources Fund
Notable changes
- Limits the use of lottery funds for local grant expenditures.
- Establishes a specific funding limit for a defined period.
Fiscal impact
The bill allocates $107,812,436 from the Oregon Lottery over a six-year period for watershed conservation grants.
Sponsors
Official sponsors from legislative records.
Primary sponsor
Oregon Department of Administrative Services
Arguments in favor
Reasons to support this legislation.
Supporters of the measure emphasize the critical role that funding from OWEB grants plays in promoting soil and water conservation efforts across Oregon. The Oregon Association of Conservation Districts notes that these grants enable Soil and Water Conservation Districts to implement vital projects, such as habitat restoration and water quality improvement initiatives, which ultimately support Measure 76's goal of protecting Oregon's natural resources. By providing a stable source of funding, OWEB grants help ensure the long-term sustainability of conservation efforts, allowing districts to effectively address pressing environmental concerns and promote sustainable land use practices throughout the state.
Source: Testimony Summaries
Arguments opposed
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