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House updates water project grant program to speed funding and broaden eligible projects
Summary
House Bill 33 64 reforms the Water Supply Development Account and related grant programs to broaden eligible projects (including water reuse and aquifer recharge), allow more frequent access to funds, reduce local match requirements, and add long-term outcome monitoring.
Representatives Helm and Owens presented House Bill 33 64, which updates Oregon's Water Supply Development Account and the related grant program (renamed the Water Project Feasibility Investment Fund on the floor) to speed funding and broaden eligible projects.
Helm and Owens told the House the account was created after 2013 legislation and that reforms were needed to move funding faster to conservation, storage, reuse, and feasibility projects. Representative Owens outlined recent awards and project examples, noting how relatively modest state awards have leveraged substantial additional funds: a February meeting cited roughly $33.4 million in awards that leveraged about $128 million in other funds.
Key changes discussed on the floor include expanding eligible uses to reclaimed-water projects, aquifer recharge and recovery, feasibility studies for storage, allowing two application cycles per year, and reducing the required cost match for applicants from 50% to 25% for certain projects. Representative Wallen highlighted new language requiring long‑term monitoring equipment for funded projects, praising the outcome-monitoring provision.
Supporters emphasized the bill's practical value for rural and agricultural communities, saying it lowers barriers to entry and speeds federal and local capital stacking. Representative Bobby Levy and others representing rural districts said the bill would make funds more accessible to irrigation districts, conservation groups, and local governments.
The House passed the bill on third reading as presented on the floor.
