Appropriates moneys to the Department of Environmental Quality to fund vessel inspections to minimize the risk of introducing aquatic invasive species into this state.

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83rd OREGON LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY--2025 Regular Session
A-Engrossed
House Bill 2981
Ordered by the House April 15
Including House Amendments dated April 15
Sponsored by Representatives HELM, OWENS, LEVY B; Representatives GAMBA, LEVY E (Presession filed.)
SUMMARY
The following summary is not prepared by the sponsors of the measure and is not a part of the body thereof subject
to consideration by the Legislative Assembly. It is an editor’s brief statement of the essential features of the
measure. The statement includes a measure digest written in compliance with applicable readability standards.
Digest: The Act gives moneys to four agencies to pay for steps that concern aquatic
invasive species. The Act takes effect on 7/1/2025. (Flesch Readability Score: 60.7).
[Digest: The Act tells an agency to study aquatic invasive species. The Act tells the agency to re-
port on the study. (Flesch Readability Score: 61.3). ]
[Directs the State Department of Fish and Wildlife to study aquatic invasive species. Directs the
department to submit a report to the interim committees of the Legislative Assembly related to natural
resources not later than September 15, 2026. ]
Appropriates moneys to the Department of Environmental Quality to fund vessel in-
spections to minimize the risk of introducing aquatic invasive species into this state. Ap-
propriates moneys to the Higher Education Coordinating Commission to fund monitoring for
aquatic invasive species in high-risk waterbodies. Appropriates moneys to the State De-
partment of Fish and Wildlife to update waterbody vulnerability assessments for aquatic
invasive species. Appropriates moneys to the State Department of Agriculture to fund
interagency rapid response exercises and interagency collaboration related to the detection
of aquatic invasive species.
Declares an emergency, effective July 1, 2025.
A BILL FOR AN ACT
Relating to aquatic invasive species; and declaring an emergency.
Be It Enacted by the People of the State of Oregon:
SECTION 1.
In addition to and not in lieu of any other appropriation, there is appropri-
ated to the Department of Environmental Quality, for the biennium beginning July 1, 2025,
out of the General Fund, the amount of $175,000 for the purpose of inspecting vessels and
verifying compliance with ORS 783.625 to 783.640 to minimize the risk of introducing invasive
mussels and other aquatic invasive species into the waters of this state.
SECTION 2. In addition to and not in lieu of any other appropriation, there is appropri-
ated to the Higher Education Coordinating Commission, for the biennium beginning July 1,
2025, out of the General Fund, the amount of $800,000 for distribution to the Center for Lakes
and Reservoirs at Portland State University to monitor for invasive mussels and other
aquatic invasive species in Oregon’s highest risk waterbodies.
SECTION 3. In addition to and not in lieu of any other appropriation, there is appropri-
ated to the State Department of Fish and Wildlife, for the biennium beginning July 1, 2025,
out of the General Fund, the amount of $200,000 for the purpose of contracting to update
Oregon’s waterbody vulnerability assessment for invasive mussels and other aquatic invasive
species.
SECTION 4. In addition to and not in lieu of any other appropriation, there is appropri-
ated to the State Department of Agriculture, for the biennium beginning July 1, 2025, out
NOTE:Matter in boldfaced type in an amended section is new; matter [ italic and bracketed] is existing law to be omitted.
New sections are in boldfaced type.
LC 2011
A-Eng. HB 2981
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of the General Fund, the amount of $150,000 for distribution to the Invasive Species Council
for the purpose of facilitating interagency rapid response exercises to increase state
preparedness to respond to detections of invasive mussels and other aquatic invasive species.
SECTION 5.
In addition to and not in lieu of any other appropriation, there is appropri-
ated to the State Department of Agriculture, for the biennium beginning July 1, 2025, out
of the General Fund, the amount of $20,000 for distribution to the Invasive Species Council
for the purpose of leading an interagency group in the collaborative development of a
framework for emergency declarations, and clarification of roles and responsibilities across
agencies, related to the detection of invasive mussels and other aquatic invasive species.
SECTION 6.
This 2025 Act being necessary for the immediate preservation of the public
peace, health and safety, an emergency is declared to exist, and this 2025 Act takes effect
July 1, 2025.
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