Oregon legislation · 2025 Legislative Measures
Oregon HB3806: Relating to water banks.
Status: Chaptered, August 7, 2025
Digest: The Act allows an agency to approve a Deschutes water bank pilot program. The Act sunsets the pilot program. (Flesch Readability Score: 63.6). Authorizes the Water Resources Commission to approve a Deschutes River water bank pilot program. Establishes certain requirements for the pilot program. Increases Water Resources Department expenditure limitation authority to fund the pilot program. Sunsets the pilot program on January 2, 2034.
What the bill says
From the enrolled text, June 20, 2025:
83rd OREGON LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY--2025 Regular Session House Bill 3806 Sponsored by Representatives LEVY E, HELM, OWENS; Representative KROPF, Senator BROADMAN CHAPTER ................................................. Relating to water banks. Whereas the Deschutes River supports the cultural, spiritual and economic needs of tribal members whose ancestors have inhabited the watershed since time immemorial; and Whereas today the Deschutes River also supports a thriving economy based on agriculture, recreation and strong communities; and Whereas the Deschutes River provides habitat for fish and wildlife as well as a range of other environmental benefits and ecosystem services; and Whereas meeting all water needs in the Deschutes River basin is challenging due to overallocation, ongoing drought, climate change and other factors; and Whereas a voluntary, market-based tool such as a water bank would allow for management and movement of water to increase water supply reliability for junior irrigation districts, provide cities with access to ground water mitigation and restore in-stream flows in the Deschutes River; and Whereas a pilot program is necessary to ascertain if the goals of the water bank will be met; and Whereas a pilot program is in addition to and does not replace the use of the Allocation of Conserved Water statute, the alternative pathway for conserved water or the In-stream Leasing and Deschutes Groundwater Mitigation Programs; now, therefore, SECTION 1. (1) The Water …
Sponsors
- Emerson Levy (D, 53) · primary sponsor
- Ken Helm (D, 27) · primary sponsor
- Mark Owens (R, 60) · primary sponsor
- Jason Kropf (D, 54)
- Anthony Broadman (D, 27)
Latest actions
- : Chapter 513, (2025 Laws): Effective date January 1, 2026.
- : Governor signed.
- : President signed.
- : Speaker signed.
- : Third reading. Carried by Anderson. Passed.
- : Second reading.
- : Recommendation: Do pass the B-Eng. bill.
- : Referred to Ways and Means.
- : First reading. Referred to President's desk.
- : Third reading. Carried by Levy E. Passed.
Votes
- Third reading. Carried by Anderson. Passed. (June 19, 2025): 26 yea, 3 nay, passed
- Third reading. Carried by Levy E. Passed. (June 13, 2025): 35 yea, 6 nay, passed
- JWM Committee Vote (June 6, 2025): 16 yea, 7 nay, passed
- HALNRW Committee Vote (April 7, 2025): 7 yea, 2 nay, passed
Subjects: Natural Resources, Ways and Means, Agriculture, Land Use, Natural Resources, and Water
Common questions
- What is HB3806?
- HB3806 is a bill in the Oregon Legislature (2025 Legislative Measures): Relating to water banks.
- What does HB3806 do?
- Digest: The Act allows an agency to approve a Deschutes water bank pilot program. The Act sunsets the pilot program. (Flesch Readability Score: 63.6). Authorizes the Water Resources Commission to approve a Deschutes River water bank pilot program. Establishes certain requirements for the pilot program. Increases Water Resources Department expenditure limitation authority to fund the pilot program. Sunsets the pilot program on January 2, 2034.
- What is the status of HB3806?
- Chaptered as of August 7, 2025. Latest action: Chapter 513, (2025 Laws): Effective date January 1, 2026. (August 7, 2025).
- Who sponsored HB3806?
- Emerson Levy (D, 53), with 4 co-sponsors.
- Where is the official record for HB3806?
- On the Oregon Legislature website: https://olis.oregonlegislature.gov/liz/2025R1/Measures/Overview/3806
Source: official Oregon record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.