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83rd OREGON LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY--2025 Regular Session
House Bill 3739
Sponsored by Representative SKARLATOS
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 prohibits a person from removing a dam. The Act tells an agency to encourage
persons to construct ten new dams. The Act tells the agency to compile lists of proposed dams and
potential dams. (Flesch Readability Score: 70.1).
Prohibits a person from removing a dam.
Directs the Water Resources Department to encourage persons to construct 10 new dams in this
state on or before December 31, 2030.
Directs the department to compile lists of dams that have been proposed since the year 1900 and
potential new dams. Directs the department to submit a report on the lists to the interim committees
of the Legislative Assembly related to natural resources not later than September 15, 2026.
Takes effect on the 91st day following adjournment sine die.
A BILL FOR AN ACT
Relating to dams; creating new provisions; amending ORS 540.995; repealing ORS 540.452; and pre-
scribing an effective date.
Be It Enacted by the People of the State of Oregon:
SECTION 1. Notwithstanding any contrary provision of law, a person may not remove a
dam, as defined in ORS 540.443.
SECTION 2.ORS 540.452 is repealed.
SECTION 3. Section 4 of this 2025 Act is added to and made a part of ORS 540.443 to
540.491.
SECTION 4.The Water Resources Department shall encourage persons to construct 10
new dams in this state on or before December 31, 2030.
SECTION 5.Section 4 of this 2025 Act is repealed on January 2, 2031.
SECTION 6.(1) As used in this section, “dam” has the meaning given that term in ORS
540.443.
(2) The Water Resources Department shall compile lists of:
(a) All dams that have been proposed since the year 1900 but have not been constructed.
(b) Potential new dams.
(3) The department shall submit a report on the lists in the manner provided by ORS
192.245, and may include recommendations for legislation, to the interim committees of the
Legislative Assembly related to natural resources no later than September 15, 2026.
SECTION 7. Section 6 of this 2025 Act is repealed on January 2, 2027.
SECTION 8. ORS 540.995 is amended to read:
540.995. (1) The Water Resources Director may impose a civil penalty of not more than $2,000
per occurrence for a violation of ORS 540.449[, 540.452] or 540.482.
(2) The Water Resources Director may impose a civil penalty, not to exceed $500, by order as
provided under ORS 540.467. If a violation of an order under ORS 540.467 is a continuing condition,
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 4327 HB3739
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each month that the condition continues is a separate violation subject to imposition of a civil
penalty.
(3) Moneys recovered from civil penalties imposed under this section shall be deposited in the
State Treasury and credited to an account of the Water Resources Department. Moneys described
in this section are continuously appropriated to the department for the administration and enforce-
ment of ORS 540.443 to 540.491.
SECTION 9. 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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