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House passes bill lifting fee cap counties may charge for public land survey corner work
Summary
The House approved HB 3175, removing the cap on fees counties may charge to fund activities related to public land survey corners and clarifying definitions and workforce needs tied to survey work.
The Oregon House on March 7 passed House Bill 3175, which removes the statutory cap on fees counties can charge to support work related to public land survey corners.
Supporters described public land survey corners as markers established since territorial days to define section, quarter, donation land claim and other land boundaries, and said county surveyors are responsible for maintaining and reestablishing those corners. “The United States created public land corners in 1852 to encourage the Oregon Territory settlement,” Representative Boyce said on the floor in introducing the measure.
The bill clarifies the definition of public land survey corners under R.S. 209.005, explains how corners are maintained, addresses who currently pays fees and what the fee might be if the cap is lifted, and highlights a workforce shortage of public surveyors. The sponsor emphasized the need for more public surveyors and encouraged young people to consider surveying as an outdoor career.
No prolonged floor debate followed. The clerk announced HB 3175 "having received the constitutional majority" and declared it passed.
The sponsor characterized the change as devolving authority to local governments to set fees as needed to maintain public land survey infrastructure.
