Bill > HB2169

This bill establishes a comprehensive state policy to encourage and expand water reuse in Oregon while protecting public health and the environment. The bill directs the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) to create and lead an interagency water reuse team, which will include the Water Resources Department, Oregon Health Authority, State Department of Agriculture, and State Department of Fish and Wildlife. The team's responsibilities include providing training and education about water reuse, identifying and resolving internal agency barriers, evaluating successful water reuse approaches from other states, proposing regulatory changes, improving interagency collaboration, developing technical assistance guidance, and establishing water reuse development goals. The DEQ is required to submit a biennial report to legislative committees describing progress toward these goals, with the reporting requirement set to expire in January 2032. The bill includes a General Fund appropriation of $295,126 to support these efforts and declares an emergency, with the act set to take effect on July 1, 2025. The overall aim is to create a coordinated, strategic approach to expanding water reuse opportunities across state agencies and stakeholders.

Agriculture and Natural Resources, Budget and Finance

https://olis.oregonlegislature.gov/liz/2025R1/Measures/Overview/HB2169