Relating to water.
HB 3544 establishes standardized procedures for challenging proposed water use decisions in Oregon. It requires anyone objecting to a water permit or decision to submit a written protest within 45 days, including specific details about how the decision would harm their interests and legal arguments. The bill defines what makes a protest valid (e.g., clear issues, sufficient detail) and outlines when hearings must occur or can be skipped, such as if all parties agree or a protest is withdrawn. These changes directly affect individuals, businesses, and organizations filing objections to water permits and the Water Resources Department managing these cases.
Bill status
signed
all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Feb 2025
Committee Review
Jun 2025
House Passage
Jun 2025
Senate Passage
Jun 2025
Signed into Law
Jul 2025
Introduced Feb 11, 2025
Signed Jul 24, 2025
Maddy AI version diff · 4 comparisons
What changed between versions
C-Engrossed
→
Enrolled
·
4 edits
·
Jul 24, 2025
MODERATE
The bill was finalized as an enrolled version for signing into law, removing editorial notes and summary sections while keeping the core legislative text intact. The substantive policy content remains unchanged from the C-Engrossed version, establishing uniform processes for water-related contested cases.
TECHNICAL
Removed editorial summary section explaining the bill's purpose and readability score, which was not part of the actual law.
Removed amendment tracking notes and conflict resolution language that were only relevant during the legislative process.
Changed the document header from 'C-Engrossed' to 'Enrolled' to indicate the bill is in its final form ready for the governor's signature.
Reformatted page numbering and layout to match standard enrolled bill formatting requirements.
Floor votes · Senate Jun 28, 2025 · House Jun 23, 2025
How they voted
24–5
Passed · 1 other
Total votes 30
Jun 28, 2025
D
Democratic18
100% Yea
R
Republican12
50% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea
All Nay
Mixed
No data
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
26
Key actions
10
Committee
8
Amendments
1
Jul 24, 2025
Signed into law
Governor signed.
lower
Jun 30, 2025
Upper · Passed
President signed.
upper
Jun 30, 2025
Lower · Passed
Speaker signed.
lower
Jun 28, 2025
Lower · Passed
Rules suspended. House concurred in Senate amendments and repassed bill.
lower
Jun 28, 2025
Upper · Passed
Rules suspended. Third reading. Carried by Gorsek. Passed.
upper
Jun 27, 2025
Introduced
(Amendments distributed.)
upper
Jun 27, 2025
Upper · Passed
Recommendation: Do pass with amendments to the B-Eng. bill, to resolve conflicts. (Printed C-Eng.)
upper
Jun 24, 2025
Committee
Referred to Ways and Means.
upper
Jun 24, 2025
Introduced
First reading. Referred to President's desk.
upper
Jun 23, 2025
Lower · Passed
Third reading. Carried by Owens. Passed.
lower
Jun 19, 2025
Lower · Passed
Recommendation: Do pass with amendments and be printed B-Engrossed.
lower
Jun 10, 2025
Lower · Passed
Returned to Full Committee.
lower
Jun 4, 2025
Committee
Assigned to Subcommittee On Natural Resources.
lower
Apr 16, 2025
Committee
Referred to Ways and Means by order of Speaker.
lower
Apr 16, 2025
Lower · Passed
Recommendation: Do pass with amendments, be printed A-Engrossed, and be referred to Ways and Means.
lower
Feb 12, 2025
Committee
Referred to Agriculture, Land Use, Natural Resources, and Water.
lower
Feb 11, 2025
Introduced
First reading. Referred to Speaker's desk.
lower
2 primary · 1 co-sponsor
Sponsors
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