Establishes the Task Force on Desalination.

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
83rd OREGON LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY--2025 Regular Session
House Bill 3300
Sponsored by Representative EVANS
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 as introduced. The statement includes a measure digest written in compliance with applicable readability
standards.
Digest: The Act creates a task force on desalination and tells it to carry out a study. (Flesch
Readability Score: 74.2).
Establishes the Task Force on Desalination. Directs the task force to study the creation of a
statewide desalination program. Requires the task force to report to an interim committee of the
Legislative Assembly related to water no later than December 15, 2026.
Sunsets the task force on December 31, 2026.
Takes effect on the 91st day following adjournment sine die.
A BILL FOR AN ACT
Relating to desalination; and prescribing an effective date.
Be It Enacted by the People of the State of Oregon:
SECTION 1.
(1) The Task Force on Desalination is established.
(2) The task force consists of 15 members appointed as follows:
(a) The President of the Senate shall appoint two members from among members of the
Senate, each member being from a different political party.
(b) The Speaker of the House of Representatives shall appoint two members from among
members of the House of Representatives, each member being from a different political
party.
(c) The Governor shall appoint 11 members as follows:
(A) One member representing the State Department of Agriculture;
(B) One member representing the State Department of Energy;
(C) One member representing the Department of Environmental Quality;
(D) One member representing the Water Resources Department;
(E) One member representing the State Department of Geology and Mineral Industries;
(F) One member representing an association representing Oregon ports; and
(G) Five at-large members.
(3) The task force shall study the creation of a statewide desalination program. In con-
ducting the study, the task force shall consider program viability and development strategies
and may consider other issues related to the creation of a statewide desalination program,
as determined by the task force.
(4) The task force may consult with experts, hear testimony from affected persons and
collect data and information necessary to carry out the task force’s duties.
(5) A majority of the voting members of the task force constitutes a quorum for the
transaction of business.
(6) Official action by the task force requires the approval of a majority of the voting
members of the task force.
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 2760
HB 3300
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
(7) The task force shall elect one of its members to serve as chairperson.
(8) If there is a vacancy for any cause, the appointing authority shall make an appoint-
ment to become immediately effective.
(9) The task force shall meet at times and places specified by the call of the chairperson
or of a majority of the voting members of the task force.
(10) The task force may adopt rules necessary for the operation of the task force.
(11) The task force shall submit a report in the manner provided by ORS 192.245, and
may include recommendations for legislation, to an interim committee of the Legislative
Assembly related to water no later than December 15, 2026.
(12) The Water Resources Department shall provide staff support to the task force.
(13) Members of the Legislative Assembly appointed to the task force are nonvoting
members of the task force and may act in an advisory capacity only.
(14) Members of the task force who are not members of the Legislative Assembly are not
entitled to compensation or reimbursement for expenses and serve as volunteers on the task
force.
(15) All agencies of state government, as defined in ORS 174.111, are directed to assist
the task force in the performance of the duties of the task force and, to the extent permitted
by laws relating to confidentiality, to furnish information and advice the members of the task
force consider necessary to perform their duties.
SECTION 2.
Section 1 of this 2025 Act is repealed on December 31, 2026.
SECTION 3. This 2025 Act takes effect on the 91st day after the date on which the 2025
regular session of the Eighty-third Legislative Assembly adjourns sine die.
[2]