l9n/ Oregon

2025 Regular Session

Senate Bill 845

Authorizes the Public Utility Commission to order the sale of an incumbent water utility to another water utility or entity when the incumbent water utility is not able to provide safe and adequate service.

Became law as Chapter 233, 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: Allows the PUC to order the sale of a water utility that is not able to provide service. (Flesch Readability Score: 61.6).</b> [<i>Digest: Allows the PUC to order a water utility that is not able to provide service to be bought. (Flesch Readability Score: 61.6).</i>] Authorizes the Public Utility Commission to order the [<i>acquisition</i>] <b>sale</b> of an incumbent water utility [<i>by</i>]<b> to</b> another water utility or entity when the incumbent water utility is not able to provide [<i>safe, adequate, efficient and reasonable</i>] <b>safe and adequate</b> service. <b>Requires the commission to provide the incumbent water utility reasonable opportunity to take alternative actions to the sale. Increases, from $5,000 to $100,000, the amount of fees that the commission may use to make emergency repairs to public utility plants that provide water service. Authorizes the commission to order a public utility that provides water service to make emergency repairs.</b>

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 action21 actions on 19 days

In the SenateJan 13 to Apr 1087 days

Waiting for a committeeJan 13 to Jan 174 days

Natural Resources and WildfireJan 17 to Apr 780 days

In the House of RepresentativesApr 10 to May 2040 days

Waiting for a committeeApr 10 to Apr 155 days

Agriculture, Land Use, Natural Resources, and WaterApr 15 to May 1429 days

With the GovernorMay 20 to May 288 days

Votes

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

  • Senate, third reading18–9

    Passed · Apr 10 · 3 present

  • House of Representatives, third reading41–9

    Passed · May 20 · 9 present

Amendments

Each amendment offered, and what became of it.

  • Senate committee amendmentAdopted

    Adopted Apr 7

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 10

  1. Jan 13Introduced
  2. Jan 17Sent to Natural Resources and Wildfire
  3. Feb 18Heard in Natural Resources and Wildfire
  4. Apr 1Heard in Natural Resources and Wildfire
  5. Apr 7Natural Resources and Wildfire recommended it as amended
  6. Apr 8Read a second time
  7. Apr 10Passed the Senate, 18 to 9

In the House of Representatives Apr 10 – May 20

  1. Apr 10Arrived in the House of Representatives
  2. Apr 15Sent to Agriculture, Land Use, Natural Resources, and Water
  3. Apr 28Heard 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 20Passed the House of Representatives, 41 to 9

To the Governor May 21 – Jun 6

  1. May 21Signed in the Senate
  2. May 22Signed in the House of Representatives
  3. May 28Signed by the Governor
  4. Jun 6Became chapter 233 of Oregon Laws 2025
  5. In force from January 1, 2026
All 21 actions, as published
  1. Jan 13Introduction and first reading. Referred to President's desk.Senate
  2. Jan 17Referred to Natural Resources and Wildfire.Senate
  3. Feb 18Public Hearing held.Senate
  4. Apr 1Work Session held.Senate
  5. Apr 7Recommendation: Do pass with amendments. (Printed A-Eng.)Senate
  6. Apr 8Second reading.Senate
  7. Apr 9Carried over to 04-10 by unanimous consent.Senate
  8. Apr 10Third reading. Carried by Golden. Passed.Senate
  9. Apr 10First reading. Referred to Speaker's desk.House of Representatives
  10. Apr 15Referred to Agriculture, Land Use, Natural Resources, and Water.House of Representatives
  11. Apr 28Public Hearing held.House of Representatives
  12. May 12Work Session held.House of Representatives
  13. May 14Recommendation: Do pass.House of Representatives
  14. May 15Second reading.House of Representatives
  15. May 19Rules suspended. Carried over to May 20, 2025 Calendar.House of Representatives
  16. May 20Third reading. Carried by Helm. Passed.House of Representatives
  17. May 21President signed.Senate
  18. May 22Speaker signed.House of Representatives
  19. May 28Governor signed.Senate
  20. Jun 6Chapter 233, 2025 Laws.Senate
  21. Jun 6Effective date, January 1, 2026.Senate