Lawmakers Hear OWEB Budget Briefing; Agency Seeks Staffing Continuity, Systems Upgrades

Lawmakers heard an informational briefing Feb. 25 on House Bill 5039 and House Bill 5040, the governor's recommended budget measures that fund the Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board (OWEB). Agency and Department of Administrative Services staff told the Natural Resources subcommittee the package would provide continuity for programs and staff who manage grants statewide, while committee members pressed on invasive weeds, juniper removal and reimbursement timing.

OWEB Executive Director Sarah O'Brien and DAS budget analyst Angela Perrotta framed the bills as companion measures: HB 5039 covers the agency's appropriation and operations while HB 5040 addresses constitutionally dedicated lottery funds for local grants, including a six-year limitation on certain lottery transfers. "The board is charged with helping to protect and restore healthy watershed and natural habitats, supporting thriving communities and strong economies," Angela Perrotta said as she opened the agency budget overview.

Why it matters: OWEB is a grant-making agency that distributes state lottery dollars and other funds to support watershed restoration and related projects across Oregon. The agency manages hundreds of grants per biennium and has increased its portfolio of programs in recent years; lawmakers and agency leaders said the recommended budget aims to convert some limited-duration positions to longer-term funding and to fund improvements to grant systems so staff can sustain customer service while handling diverse funding streams.

Key budget and program details

- Total budget and funding mix:…