Bill > HB3501

This bill modifies Oregon's water rights laws to remove considerations of public interest when evaluating water right transfers and changes. Specifically, the bill prohibits the Water Resources Department and Water Resources Commission from considering whether proposed water right transfers would impair or be detrimental to the public interest when reviewing applications. Instead, the agencies can only evaluate whether a proposed transfer would cause injury to existing water rights. The bill applies this standard across multiple contexts, including temporary transfers, point of diversion changes, and water right substitutions. Key modifications are made to several sections of Oregon Revised Statutes, including ORS 540.510, 540.520, 540.523, 540.524, 540.530, 540.531, and 540.570. The changes create a more streamlined process for water right transfers by narrowing the scope of review to focus solely on potential injury to existing water rights, removing broader public interest considerations from the evaluation. The bill also includes provisions for notice, hearing processes, and potential conditions to protect existing water rights during transfers.

Agriculture and Natural Resources

https://olis.oregonlegislature.gov/liz/2025R1/Measures/Overview/HB3501