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Clean Water Services briefs county on housing‑infrastructure bills; county will track DEQ and LCDC rulemaking
Summary
Representatives from Clean Water Services updated the board on bills affecting infrastructure planning and water quality permits, including SB 974, HB 2658 and the governor's middle housing bill (HB 2138); the agency and county will continue to work on amendments and interim rulemaking.
Tracy Rainey, government relations manager for Clean Water Services, briefed Washington County commissioners on several housing and water‑infrastructure bills that could affect utility planning, stormwater permits and capital projects.
Rainey highlighted Senate Bill 974, which passed the Senate and had a House Housing Committee hearing; she said the bill presented potential problems for infrastructure design as introduced, but that Senate amendments improved the language. Clean Water Services will continue to monitor and seek refinements in the House. House Bill 2658 was described as targeted legislation intended to prevent double charging for infrastructure improvements that a public agency already planned; Clean Water Services flagged the bill’s draft language for potential unintended consequences on capital improvement plans and SDC (system development charge) funding.
Rainey also discussed HB 2138 (the governor’s middle housing and land division bill), saying county and Clean Water Services staff worked with the governor’s office and the Department of Land Conservation and Development (DLCD) on language and that the bill is currently in Ways and Means. She noted the bill would require the Land Conservation and Development Commission (LCDC) to conduct rulemaking during the interim that could affect infrastructure planning and stormwater permitting.
Clean Water Services also identified funding bills under consideration, including HB 2169 to continue a reuse coordinator position at DEQ and HB 2168 for continued funding of a septic‑to‑connect loan program; they are coordinating with coalitions and the Oregon Association of Clean Water Agencies (ORACWA) to support investment in DEQ’s proposed water quality budget.
Commissioners asked clarifying questions about why the septic connection loan matters (the program helps low‑income homeowners replace failing septic systems or connect to sewer when permitted) and about timing of hearings; Clean Water Services said work will continue through committee and interim rulemaking.
