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Committee adopts amendment and advances bill updating water-right procedures and notice rules
Summary
Senators voted to adopt an amendment and advance House Bill 33 42 A, which updates the Water Resources Department's application processes, authorizes electronic communications and payments, revises public notice rules, and clarifies legal procedures for protests and final orders.
The Senate Committee on Natural Resources and Wildfire adopted an amendment and advanced House Bill 33 42 A to the floor with a due-pass recommendation after a brief work session.
Committee staff summarized the measure as modernizing how the Water Resources Department manages Oregon’s water-rights system: updates to application processes, authorization of electronic communications and payments, revised public‑notice rules, a requirement that the department maintain a list of restricted water sources, and authorization for the Water Resources Commission to withdraw water by rule. The dash 8 (and subsequent technical amendments) modify when the department can deny a change to a point of appropriation, remove a requirement for some water development to obtain a two‑year extension, and allow approval of permits and extensions where good cause is shown.
Vice Chair Nash moved adoption of the amendment; the amendment was adopted and the committee moved the bill to the floor with a due‑pass recommendation. The committee vote on the final bill was 4–1 in favor. Committee members noted the amendment addressed concerns raised by water‑sector stakeholders and that the bill includes stylistic and technical edits.
