The House Committee on Agriculture, Land Use, Natural Resources, and Water convened on February 26, 2025, to discuss key legislative measures concerning water management and data accessibility in Oregon. The meeting began with the approval of an amendment to House Bill 2256, aimed at enhancing the original bill's intent through stakeholder engagement and aligning its language with existing statutes. The amendment was moved by Chair Helm and passed without opposition, allowing the bill to proceed to the House floor for a due pass recommendation.

Following this, the committee opened a public hearing on House Bill 3106, which proposes funding for the Oregon Water Data Portal. The bill's dash-1 amendment introduces the creation of an Integrated Water Data Team, Portal, and Account, reflecting a shift towards a more organized approach to water data management. Jennifer Weigel from the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) provided an overview of the portal's development, emphasizing the need for a centralized system to streamline access to diverse water-related data currently scattered across various agencies.

Weigel highlighted the collaborative nature of the project, involving multiple state agencies and stakeholders, and outlined the challenges faced in integrating data from different sources. The initiative aims to improve decision-making related to water scarcity, drought management, and ecosystem protection by providing a single point of access for users.

Courtney Schaff, also from DEQ, elaborated on the portal's objectives, which include enhancing data accessibility and facilitating better water management practices. Doug Woodcock from the Oregon Water Resources Department discussed the project's phased development, noting that the first phase focused on scoping and planning, while the current phase aims to establish a pilot portal.

The committee also heard from Lillian Watson of the Internet of Water Coalition, who shared insights from similar initiatives in Texas and New Mexico. These examples underscored the importance of legislative support and collaborative efforts in successfully developing water data hubs.

The meeting concluded with a commitment to continue refining the pilot portal based on public feedback and to explore additional datasets for inclusion. The committee's discussions reflect a significant step towards modernizing Oregon's water data management, with the potential to enhance resource management and public access to critical information.