Bill > SB222

This bill addresses salmon protection by establishing a new program through the State Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) to monitor and eradicate smallmouth bass in rivers draining into the Pacific Ocean, excluding the Columbia River. The bill recognizes that smallmouth bass pose a threat to juvenile salmon populations by preying on them. To implement this initiative, the legislature is appropriating $1,000,000 from the General Fund for the 2025-2027 biennium to support the program's monitoring and eradication efforts. The bill includes an emergency clause, which means it will take effect immediately upon passage, reflecting the urgent nature of protecting salmon populations from predatory fish species. The legislative findings emphasize the ecological importance of controlling smallmouth bass to help preserve salmon, which are a critical species in Oregon's marine and river ecosystems.

Agriculture and Natural Resources, Budget and Finance

https://olis.oregonlegislature.gov/liz/2025R1/Measures/Overview/SB222