HB 2981 Oregon House · 2025 Regular Session

Relating to aquatic invasive species; declaring an emergency.

Summary

] [ Directs the State Department of Fish and Wildlife to study aquatic invasive species. Directs the department to submit a report to the interim committees of the Legislative Assembly related to natural resources not later than September 15, 2026. ] Appropriates moneys to the Department of Environmental Quality to fund vessel inspections to minimize the risk of introducing aquatic invasive species into this state. Appropriates moneys to the Higher Education Coordinating Commission to fund monitoring for aquatic invasive species in high-risk waterbodies. Appropriates moneys to the State Department of Fish and Wildlife to update waterbody vulnerability assessments for aquatic invasive species. Appropriates moneys to the State Department of Agriculture to fund interagency rapid response exercises and interagency collaboration related to the detection of aquatic invasive species. Declares an emergency, effective July 1, 2025.

Issues: ✓ Environment

Bill status in committee 1 of 4 stages cleared

Introduction

Jan 2025

Committee Review

Floor Vote

Governor

Introduced Jan 13, 2025 Last action Jun 28, 2025

Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

Introduced → A-Engrossed · 7 edits

MODERATE

The bill was amended from a simple study request to include specific funding allocations for multiple agencies to address aquatic invasive species. The original version only directed the Department of Fish and Wildlife to study the issue and report findings. The new version appropriates money to four different agencies for vessel inspections, monitoring, vulnerability assessments, and rapid response exercises.

Scope change

The bill's scope expanded from a single agency study requirement to a multi-agency funding and action plan with specific appropriations for invasive species prevention and response.

FISCAL

Added $175,000 appropriation to the Department of Environmental Quality for vessel inspections to minimize invasive species introduction.

Added $800,000 appropriation to the Higher Education Coordinating Commission for monitoring invasive species in high-risk waterbodies.

Added $200,000 appropriation to the Department of Fish and Wildlife for updating waterbody vulnerability assessments.

Added $150,000 appropriation to the Department of Agriculture for facilitating interagency rapid response exercises.

Added $20,000 appropriation to the Department of Agriculture for developing emergency response frameworks and clarifying agency roles.

TIMELINE

Added an emergency declaration effective July 1, 2025, allowing the bill to take effect immediately rather than waiting for the regular legislative session.

REQUIREMENT

Changed the bill title to include 'declaring an emergency' and updated the summary to reflect the new funding allocations and emergency declaration.

Floor votes

How they voted

No floor votes recorded yet.

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Jun 28, 2025

Lower · Passed

In committee upon adjournment.

lower

Apr 15, 2025

Committee

Referred to Ways and Means by order of Speaker.

lower

Apr 15, 2025

Lower · Passed

Recommendation: Do pass with amendments, be printed A-Engrossed, and be referred to Ways and Means.

lower

Jan 17, 2025

Committee

Referred to Climate, Energy, and Environment.

lower

Jan 13, 2025

Introduced

First reading. Referred to Speaker's desk.

lower

3 primary · 2 co-sponsors