House Bill 3681

Digest: Makes changes to the EFSC site certificate process. (Flesch Readability Score: 61.2). Requires the Energy Facility Siting Council to conclude a contested case and issue a final order within 12 months from the date of a proposed order. [<i>Provides that any final order issued by the council is appealable directly to the Supreme Court.</i>] <b>Requires the council to include in all final orders approving or rejecting an application for a site certificate or amended site certificate any decisions related to or arising from a contested case on the application. Requires a petitioner to establish individual or associational standing to appeal a final order. Provides that the council's approval or rejection of an application or request for an amendment, including decisions related to or arising from a contested case on the application or request, is conferred upon the Supreme Court.</b> [<i>Allows a holder of a site certificate to file a notice for minor changes to the site boundaries of an energy facility. Allows a holder of a site certificate for certain energy facilities to file a request to extend by up to three years the deadlines by which construction of a facility must begin or be completed as specified in the site certificate.</i>] [<i>Narrows the criteria by which the Public Utility Commission reviews a petition for a certificate of public convenience and necessity for overhead transmission lines. Directs the commission to review a petition for a certificate of public convenience and necessity without requiring a petitioner to first obtain any required land use approvals.</i>] [<i>Allows the use of a site certificate for a high voltage transmission line as conclusive evidence of public use and necessity for any proceeding for condemnation of land or an interest therein. Allows a high voltage transmission line that has been designated as having statewide significance by a regional transmission authority that is established under state law to be placed in areas zoned for exclusive farm use.</i>] <b>Allows a person who holds a site certificate to request to add area to the approved site boundary without the council requiring an amendment to the site certificate.</b>

In the House of Representatives

• Mark Gamba

  Sponsor

In the Senate

• House of Representatives, third reading36–21

  Passed · Apr 23 · 3 present

• Senate, third reading19–10

  Passed · Jun 2 · 1 present

• House of Representatives committee amendmentAdopted

  Adopted Apr 16

l9n doesn't hold this bill's text yet.

In the House of Representatives Feb 25 – Apr 23

1. Feb 25Introduced
2. Feb 27Sent to Climate, Energy, and Environment
3. Mar 11Heard in Climate, Energy, and Environment
4. Apr 8Heard in Climate, Energy, and Environment
5. Apr 16Climate, Energy, and Environment recommended it as amended
6. Apr 17Read a second time
7. Apr 23Passed the House of Representatives, 36 to 21

In the Senate Apr 24 – Jun 2

1. Apr 24Arrived in the Senate
2. Sent to Energy and Environment
3. May 7Heard in Energy and Environment
4. May 12Heard in Energy and Environment
5. May 19Energy and Environment recommended it
6. Read a second time
7. Jun 2Passed the Senate, 19 to 10

To the Governor Jun 3 – Jun 23

1. Jun 3Signed in the House of Representatives
2. Signed in the Senate
3. Jun 11Signed by the Governor
4. Jun 23Became chapter 305 of Oregon Laws 2025, in force from January 1, 2026