March 31, 2025
Mr. Merkley (for himself and Mr. Wyden) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources
To amend the Oregon Resource Conservation Act of 1996 to reauthorize the Deschutes River Conservancy Working Group, and for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,
Section 1. Short title
This Act may be cited as the Deschutes River Conservancy Reauthorization Act of 2025
.
Sec. 2. Reauthorization of Deschutes River Conservancy Working Group
(a) Definition of working group
Section 301(a) of the Oregon Resource Conservation Act of 1996 (Public Law 104–208; 110 Stat. 3009–534; 122 Stat. 836) is amended by striking paragraph (1) and inserting the following:
(1) Working Group
The term
Working Groupmeans the Deschutes River Conservancy Working Group composed of a board of directors of not fewer than 10, but not more than 15, members nominated by the group represented by the member, of whom—(A)
2 members shall be representatives of the environmental community in the Deschutes River Basin;
(B)
2 members shall be representatives of the irrigated agriculture community in the Deschutes River Basin;
(C)
2 members shall be representatives of the Confederated Tribes of the Warm Springs Reservation of Oregon;
(D)
1 member shall be a representative of the hydroelectric production community in the Deschutes River Basin;
(E)
1 member shall be a representative of 1 of the Federal agencies with authority and responsibility in the Deschutes River Basin;
(F)
1 member shall be a representative of an agency of the State of Oregon with authority and responsibility in the Deschutes River Basin, such as—
(i)
the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife; or
(ii)
the Oregon Water Resources Department; and
(G)
1 member shall be a representative of a unit of local government in the Deschutes River Basin.
(b) Reauthorization; administrative costs
Section 301 of the Oregon Resource Conservation Act of 1996 (Public Law 104–208; 110 Stat. 3009–534; 122 Stat. 836) is amended—
(1)
in subsection (b)—
(A)
in paragraph (3), by striking 2016
and inserting 2032
; and
(B)
in paragraph (6), by striking 5 percent
and inserting 10 percent
; and
(2)
in subsection (h), by striking 2016
and inserting 2032
.