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83rd OREGON LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY--2025 Regular Session
House Bill 3527
Sponsored by Representatives HARTMAN, OWENS, HELM; Representatives GAMBA, MANNIX, WALTERS, Sen-
ator MANNING JR
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: Creates a fund to help low-income households with water and sewer bill payments.
(Flesch Readability Score: 63.4).
Establishes the Public Drinking Water and Sewer Ratepayer Assistance Fund. Directs the
Housing and Community Services Department to provide grants from moneys in the fund to qualified
organizations to distribute water and sewer bill payment assistance to low-income residential
households.
Takes effect on the 91st day following adjournment sine die.
A BILL FOR AN ACT
Relating to water utility ratepayer assistance; and prescribing an effective date.
Be It Enacted by the People of the State of Oregon:
SECTION 1. (1) The Public Drinking Water and Sewer Ratepayer Assistance Fund is es-
tablished in the State Treasury, separate and distinct from the General Fund. The Public
Drinking Water and Sewer Ratepayer Assistance Fund shall consist of all moneys placed in
the fund as provided by law and any gifts, grants, donations, endowments or bequests from
any public or private source.
(2) Moneys in the fund are continuously appropriated the Housing and Community Ser-
vices Department for the purposes set forth in subsection (3) of this section.
(3) The department shall provide grants from moneys deposited in the fund to qualified
organizations to distribute water and sewer bill payment assistance to low-income residential
households.
(4) Qualified organizations for receiving grants under this section shall include, but need
not be limited to:
(a) Nonprofit community-based organizations, including but not limited to housing au-
thorities and community action agencies; and
(b) Public utilities providing domestic water or sewer service.
(5) The department shall adopt rules necessary for the administration and implementa-
tion of subsections (3) and (4) of this section. In adopting rules, the department shall con-
sider other utility bill payment or crisis assistance and low-income assistance programs
administered by the department, including but not limited to the Low Income Home Energy
Assistance Act of 1981 (42 U.S.C. 8621 et seq.).
SECTION 2. In addition to and not in lieu of any other appropriation, there is appropri-
ated to the Housing and Community Services Department, for the biennium beginning July
1, 2025, out of the General Fund, the amount of $11,000,000, for deposit in the Public Drinking
Water and Sewer Ratepayer Assistance Fund established under section 1 of this 2025 Act.
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 2585 HB3527
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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.
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