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83rd OREGON LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY--2025 Regular Session
House Bill 3700
Sponsored by Representatives OWENS, HELM
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: This Act tells the EQC and OHA to adopt rules to certify operators of water and sewage
plants from other states.(Flesch Readability Score: 60.6).
Directs the Environmental Quality Commission to adopt by rule standards for certification of
sewage treatment works operators from nonreciprocal states, provinces or other certifying entities.
Directs the Oregon Health Authority to adopt by rule standards for the certification of potable
water treatment plants and water distribution systems from nonreciprocal states, provinces or other
certifying entities.
Declares an emergency, effective on passage.
A BILL FOR AN ACT
Relating to certification of operators of certain water facilities; amending ORS 448.420 and 448.460;
and declaring an emergency.
Be It Enacted by the People of the State of Oregon:
SECTION 1. ORS 448.420 is amended to read:
448.420. (1) On and after September 27, 1987, an operator holding a current Oregon sewage
treatment certification issued under a voluntary certification program shall be considered certified
under the program established under ORS 448.410 at the same classification and grade.
(2) Certification of operators by any state that, as determined by the Director of the Department
of Environmental Quality, accepts certifications made under ORS 448.410 to 448.430 and 448.992,
shall be accorded reciprocal treatment and shall be recognized as valid and sufficient within the
purview of ORS 448.410 to 448.430 and 448.992, if in the judgment of the director, the certification
requirements of such state are substantially equivalent to the requirements of ORS 448.410 to
448.430 and 448.992 or any rule adopted under ORS 448.410 to 448.430 and 448.992.
(3) In addition to reciprocal certifications under subsection (2) of this section, the Envi-
ronmental Quality Commission may adopt by rule standards to provide certification to per-
sons that hold a certification from a program of any state, province or other certifying
entity, regardless of whether the requirements of the certification program are substantially
equivalent to the requirements of ORS 448.410 to 448.430 and 448.992 or any rule adopted
under ORS 448.410 to 448.430 and 448.992. Standards for certification provided under this
subsection:
(a) Must ensure that any person certified pursuant to this subsection is qualified by ed-
ucation and experience for certification at the classification and grade for which certification
is granted; and
(b) May provide for certification in this state at a lower classification or grade than the
certification held by the person from another state, province or certifying entity.
(4) The commission shall make information about reciprocal certification and certifica-
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 4030 HB3700
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tion pursuant to subsection (3) of this section available on its website.
SECTION 2. ORS 448.460 is amended to read:
448.460. (1) On and after September 27, 1987, an operator holding a current Oregon water
treatment certification issued under a voluntary certification program shall be considered certified
under the program established under ORS 448.450 at the same classification and grade.
(2) Certification of operators by any state that, as determined by the Oregon Health Authority,
accepts certifications made under ORS 448.450 to 448.465, 448.992 and 448.994, shall be accorded
reciprocal treatment and shall be recognized as valid and sufficient within the purview of ORS
448.450 to 448.465, 448.992 and 448.994, if in the judgment of the Director of the Oregon Health
Authority, the certification requirements of such state are substantially equivalent to the require-
ments of ORS 448.450 to 448.465, 448.992 and 448.994 or any rule adopted under ORS 448.450 to
448.465, 448.992 and 448.994.
(3) In addition to reciprocal certifications under subsection (2) of this section, the Oregon
Health Authority may adopt by rule standards to provide certification to persons that hold
a certification from a program of any state, province or other certifying entity, regardless
of whether the requirements of the certification program are substantially equivalent to the
requirements of ORS 448.410 to 448.430 and 448.992 or any rule adopted under ORS 448.410 to
448.430 and 448.992. Standards for certification provided under this subsection:
(a) Must ensure that any person certified pursuant to this subsection is qualified by ed-
ucation and experience for certification at the classification and grade for which certification
is granted; and
(b) May provide for certification in this state at a lower classification or grade than the
certification held by the person from another state, province or certifying entity.
(4) The authority shall make information about reciprocal certification and certification
pursuant to subsection (3) of this section available on its website.
SECTION 3. 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
on its passage.
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