SB 5543
Appropriates moneys from the General Fund to the Water Resources Department for biennial expenses.
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
95%
Oppose
5%
- Introduced
- Passed Senate
- Passed House
- To Governor
- Became Law
Bill overview
This bill allocates funds from the General Fund to the Oregon Water Resources Department for the 2025-2027 biennium. It specifies amounts for various departmental activities, including administrative services, field services, water rights, technical services, and the director’s office. The bill also addresses the use of lottery moneys, fees, other revenues, and federal funds, with specific allocations outlined for several projects and programs.
Key provisions
- Appropriates $15,297,469 for administrative services.
- Appropriates $24,520,767 for field services.
- Appropriates $6,310,918 for water rights and adjudications.
- Appropriates $19,697,434 for technical services.
- Appropriates $25,315,881 for the Director’s office.
- Establishes a maximum limit of $24,352,512 for lottery moneys to support debt service.
- Establishes maximum limits for fees, revenues, and federal funds allocated to specific departmental functions.
- Allocates funds from the American Rescue Plan Act Coronavirus State Fiscal Recovery Fund for specific projects, including a grant to Umatilla County and support for water data collection.
Who is affected
- Oregon Water Resources Department
- State Agencies (receiving funds)
- Umatilla County
- Oregon Department of Administrative Services
- Federal Agencies (receiving funds)
Notable changes
Sponsors
Official sponsors from legislative records.
Primary sponsor
Oregon Department of Administrative Services
Arguments in favor
Reasons to support this legislation.
Supporters of the Oregon Water Resources Department (OWRD) budget emphasize the need for reliable and accurate data to manage Oregon's freshwater supply, citing declining aquifers and the importance of protecting existing users and the general public interest. They advocate for maintaining current service levels at OWRD to ensure effective science-driven water management, particularly in light of climate change and increasing competition for scarce water resources. Key concerns include addressing water scarcity, restoring streams and watersheds, and investing in modern IT systems to enhance transparency and public engagement. Testifiers also stress the importance of preserving OWRD's water data toolkit and one-time investments in IT upgrades to improve efficiency and accessibility. Overall, supporters urge full funding for current service levels and specific investments to support responsible water management and a sustainable future for Oregon.
Source: Testimony Summaries
Arguments opposed
Reasons to oppose this legislation.
Some concern that allocating $24,352,512 for debt service from lottery moneys to the Water Resources Department may exacerbate Oregon's already significant indebtedness. They also question the use of federal funds for a 'Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Plan', suggesting that such allocations may divert resources away from more pressing needs and potentially undermine the state's financial stability. Additionally, some that prioritizing debt service over other essential services may be fiscally irresponsible and neglect the long-term consequences of Oregon's financial decisions.