l9n/ Oregon

2025 Regular Session

Senate Bill 761

Authorizes the Water Resources Department to approve applications by certain water districts within the Walla Walla basin to lease existing water rights for temporary conversion to in-stream water rights if certain conditions exist and the department makes certain determinations.

Became law as Chapter 227, Oregon Laws 2025, signed May 28, 2025, 135 days after it was filed. In force from January 1, 2026.

What it does

The synopsis the Legislative Assembly published with the bill.

<b>Digest: The Act allows WRD to say yes to a temporary lease of existing water rights to become in-stream water rights, if WRD finds certain facts and conditions. The Act sunsets on Jan. 1, 2030. (Flesch Readability Score: 60.1).</b> [<i>Digest: The Act gives money to WRD for projects in the Walla Walla basin. (Flesch Readability Score: 76.5).</i>] [<i>Appropriates moneys from the General Fund to the Water Resources Department to implement projects that benefit water demands in the Walla Walla basin.</i>] <b>Authorizes the Water Resources Department to approve applications by certain water districts within the Walla Walla basin to lease existing water rights for temporary conversion to in-stream water rights if certain conditions exist and the department makes certain determinations. Establishes procedures for how applications may be considered and establishes the terms of leases that are created under the Act. Sunsets on January 2, 2030.</b>

Sponsors

Who carried the bill in each chamber, and who signed on. Each name leads to the member's page.

In the Senate

4 co-sponsors

Mike McLane, Daniel Bonham, David Brock Smith, James Manning Jr.

In the House of Representatives

2 co-sponsors

Ken Helm, Mark Owens

Its course

January 13 to June 6, 2025, on one scale. In the top row each mark is a day something happened; taller marks are busier days.

Each committee stop sits inside its chamber.

Every action22 actions on 19 days

In the SenateJan 13 to Apr 23100 days

Waiting for a committeeJan 13 to Jan 174 days

Veterans, Emergency Management, Federal and World AffairsJan 17 to Apr 1891 days

In the House of RepresentativesApr 23 to May 1926 days

Waiting for a committeeApr 23 to Apr 241 day

Agriculture, Land Use, Natural Resources, and WaterApr 24 to May 1420 days

With the GovernorMay 19 to May 289 days

Votes

Yeas to nays, as the Legislative Assembly recorded them. Committee votes are set in.

  • Senate, third reading28–0

    Passed · Apr 23 · 1 present

  • House of Representatives, third reading50–0

    Passed · May 19 · 9 present

Amendments

Each amendment offered, and what became of it.

  • Senate committee amendmentAdopted

    Adopted Apr 18

Text

Each version as the Legislative Assembly printed it.

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

What happened

In l9n's words, one line for each step. Every action as the Legislative Assembly published it is below.

In the Senate Jan 13 – Apr 23

  1. Jan 13Introduced
  2. Jan 17Sent to Veterans, Emergency Management, Federal and World Affairs
  3. Feb 6Heard in Veterans, Emergency Management, Federal and World Affairs
  4. Apr 1Heard in Veterans, Emergency Management, Federal and World Affairs
  5. Apr 8Heard in Veterans, Emergency Management, Federal and World Affairs
  6. Apr 18Veterans, Emergency Management, Federal and World Affairs recommended it as amended
  7. Apr 21Read a second time
  8. Apr 23Passed the Senate, 28 to 0

In the House of Representatives Apr 24 – May 19

  1. Apr 24Arrived in the House of Representatives
  2. Sent to Agriculture, Land Use, Natural Resources, and Water
  3. May 5Heard in Agriculture, Land Use, Natural Resources, and Water
  4. May 12Heard in Agriculture, Land Use, Natural Resources, and Water
  5. May 14Agriculture, Land Use, Natural Resources, and Water recommended it
  6. May 15Read a second time
  7. May 19Passed the House of Representatives, 50 to 0

To the Governor May 20 – Jun 6

  1. May 20Signed in the Senate
  2. May 21Signed in the House of Representatives
  3. May 28Signed by the Governor
  4. Jun 6Became chapter 227 of Oregon Laws 2025
  5. In force from January 1, 2026
All 22 actions, as published
  1. Jan 13Introduction and first reading. Referred to President's desk.Senate
  2. Jan 17Referred to Veterans, Emergency Management, Federal and World Affairs, then Ways and Means.Senate
  3. Feb 6Public Hearing held.Senate
  4. Apr 1Work Session held.Senate
  5. Apr 8Work Session held.Senate
  6. Apr 18Recommendation: Do pass with amendments and subsequent referral to Ways and Means be rescinded. (Printed A-Eng.)Senate
  7. Apr 18Subsequent referral rescinded by order of the President.Senate
  8. Apr 21Second reading.Senate
  9. Apr 22Carried over to 04-23 by unanimous consent.Senate
  10. Apr 23Third reading. Carried by Nash. Passed.Senate
  11. Apr 24First reading. Referred to Speaker's desk.House of Representatives
  12. Apr 24Referred to Agriculture, Land Use, Natural Resources, and Water.House of Representatives
  13. May 5Public Hearing held.House of Representatives
  14. May 12Work Session held.House of Representatives
  15. May 14Recommendation: Do pass.House of Representatives
  16. May 15Second reading.House of Representatives
  17. May 19Third reading. Carried by Levy B. Passed.House of Representatives
  18. May 20President signed.Senate
  19. May 21Speaker signed.House of Representatives
  20. May 28Governor signed.Senate
  21. Jun 6Chapter 227, 2025 Laws.Senate
  22. Jun 6Effective date, January 1, 2026.Senate