Bill Text: OR SB956 | 2011 | Regular Session | Introduced

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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

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     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. + }
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