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Read. Follow. Verify.Oregon House Bill 4006 authorizes Columbia River water rights changes and Mid-Columbia Water Commission mapping participation
Last action · March 6, 2026: In committee upon adjournment.
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What This Bill Proposed
House Bill 4006 authorizes holders of certain Columbia River water rights between river miles 252 and 303 to change points of diversion or use water on non land under specific conditions. The measure exempts certain irrigation systems of intergovernmental entities from specific ditch and reservoir laws and allows the Mid-Columbia Water Commission to participate in district water rights mapping with a 10-year reporting requirement to the Legislative Assembly.
Water rights holders and intergovernmental irrigation entities along the specified section of the Columbia River gain explicit statutory pathways to modify water usage locations and points of diversion without triggering standard transfer requirements, impacting local agricultural and resource management practices.
- Oregon water rights are administered by the Water Resources Department and Water Resources Commission under statutory frameworks governing permits, transfers, and beneficial uses. context
- Columbia River water management involves coordination among state agencies, local water districts, and intergovernmental entities to balance agricultural irrigation needs with environmental protections. context
Who It Would Have Affected
Groups the bill's text would have affected, as described in the record. Being affected is not a position for or against it.
Columbia River water rights holders
Permit holders with diversion points between river miles 252 and 303 gain authorization to alter points of diversion or use water on nonappurtenant land without increasing rates or seasons of use.
Mid-Columbia Water Commission
The commission is authorized to participate in district water rights mapping and is mandated to submit annual progress and impact reports to the Legislative Assembly for 10 years.
Water Resources Department
The department is required to receive notices, publish weekly public notices of water right applications, and process petitions and mapping submissions.
Key Facts
You don't have to trust us. Each fact below is taken straight from the official document - click any one to see the exact passage, highlighted in the original.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is eligible to change their water rights usage location under this bill?
What reporting requirements are placed on the Mid-Columbia Water Commission?
Are fish screens required for relocated water diversions?
What else do you want to know?
News Coverage
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Votes, people, money & the original sourceWhere This Stands
This bill did not become law - Died at adjournment · in House committee.
Procedural history
5 actions- Mar 6, 2026HouseIn committee upon adjournment.
- Feb 16, 2026HouseWork Session held.
- Feb 9, 2026HousePublic Hearing held.
- Feb 2, 2026HouseReferred to Agriculture, Land Use, Natural Resources, and Water.
- Feb 2, 2026HouseFirst reading. Referred to Speaker's desk.
Version history
Only one version on file - nothing to compare yet. As later stages (committee substitute, engrossed, enrolled) are captured, the redline appears here.
View official text →Lobbying Activity
No state lobbying filings in our records match this bill. Federal lobbying reports (LDA) cover Congress, so they are not listed on state bills.
Full breakdown
Who this bill affects and the strongest case for and against it, written only from the bill’s own text.
Discoveries
Patterns POLISCOPE noticed across the record. These are observations to investigate, not conclusions.
Targeted Regional Water Rights Flexibility
The legislation introduces localized exemptions to standard appurtenancy and transfer rules specifically tailored to the Columbia River stretch between river miles 252 and 303.
Connected Entities
Sources
olis.oregonlegislature.gov
Analysis Score
0–100- Significance20Lowered because this bill did not pass (its text scored 65)
- Controversy25Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
- Entertainment5Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
- Buzz20Current news / social attention level
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