Bill Text: OR SB956 | 2011 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Relating to river water sales; declaring an emergency.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0)
Status: (Failed) 2011-06-30 - In committee upon adjournment. [SB956 Detail]
Download: Oregon-2011-SB956-Introduced.html
76th OREGON LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY--2011 Regular Session NOTE: Matter within { + braces and plus signs + } in an amended section is new. Matter within { - braces and minus signs - } is existing law to be omitted. New sections are within { + braces and plus signs + } . LC 3989 Senate Bill 956 Sponsored by Senator NELSON 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. Creates task force to study feasibility of diverting unutilized water from Columbia River or Willamette River for sale outside state. Sunsets task force upon convening of regular session of 2013 Legislative Assembly. Declares emergency, effective on passage. A BILL FOR AN ACT Relating to river water sales; and declaring an emergency. Be It Enacted by the People of the State of Oregon: SECTION 1. { + (1) The Task Force on River Water Revenue Potential is established, consisting of 15 members appointed as follows: (a) The President of the Senate shall appoint: (A) Two members from among members of the Senate. (B) Two members who are knowledgeable in matters related to water, business, economics, law, the environment, local government or other areas of knowledge the President deems relevant to the work of the task force. (b) The Speaker of the House of Representatives shall appoint: (A) Two members from among members of the House of Representatives. (B) Two members who are knowledgeable in matters related to water, business, economics, law, the environment, local government or other areas of knowledge the Speaker deems relevant to the work of the task force. (c) The Governor shall appoint a member representing the Economic Revitalization Team, a member representing the Water Resources Department, a member representing the Department of Environmental Quality and four additional members knowledgeable in matters related to water, business, economics, law, the environment, local government or other areas of knowledge the Governor deems relevant to the work of the task force. (2) The task force shall investigate the feasibility of diverting unutilized Columbia River or Willamette River waters, or both, for sale outside this state. To the extent practicable, the investigation shall include the identification and exploration of foreseeable issues regarding the diversion of Columbia River or Willamette River waters, including but not limited to the amount of unutilized water, the potential revenues and costs, existing and potential water right assertions by the State of Washington or the federal government, other potential legal restrictions or prohibitions, the effect on existing and anticipated water rights and uses in this state and the secondary economic impacts of diversion and sale. (3) The task force may review documents and records, solicit testimony or other input from potentially affected parties or other interested parties and take other reasonable actions to gather and evaluate information related to the purpose of the task force. (4) A majority of the voting members of the task force constitutes a quorum for the transaction of business. (5) Official action by the task force requires the approval of a majority of the voting members of the task force. (6) The task force shall elect one of its members to serve as chairperson. (7) If there is a vacancy for any cause, the appointing authority shall make an appointment to become immediately effective. (8) 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. (9) The task force may adopt rules necessary for the operation of the task force. (10) The task force shall submit a report, and may include recommendations for legislation, to an interim committee of the Legislative Assembly related to economic development no later than October 1, 2012. (11) The Water Resources Department shall provide staff support to the task force. (12) Members of the task force who are not members of the Legislative Assembly are not entitled to compensation, but may be reimbursed for actual and necessary travel and other expenses incurred by them in the performance of their official duties in the manner and amounts provided for in ORS 292.495. Claims for expenses incurred in performing functions of the task force shall be paid out of funds appropriated to the Water Resources Department for purposes of the task force. (13) All agencies of state government, as defined in ORS 174.111, are directed to assist the task force in the performance of its duties and, to the extent permitted by laws relating to confidentiality, to furnish such information and advice as the members of the task force consider necessary to perform their duties. + } SECTION 2. { + Section 1 of this 2011 Act is repealed on the date of the convening of the 2013 regular session of the Legislative Assembly as specified in ORS 171.010. + } SECTION 3. { + This 2011 Act being necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health and safety, an emergency is declared to exist, and this 2011 Act takes effect on its passage. + } ----------