SB 761 clears the first hurdle
By Terry Murry on Thursday, April 24th, 2025 in Columbia Basin News More Top Stories
SALEM – Oregon Senate Bill 761, which would provide funds to implement water projects in the Walla Walla Basin, has passed the Oregon Senate unanimously. The legislation is sponsored by Sen. Todd Nash (R-Enterprise) and Rep. Bobby Levy (R-Echo). Nash said the bill is the work of cooperation among diverse groups coming together.
“(It provides) enhancement of streams there, fish recovery, while keeping irrigators irrigating,” he said.
The legislation appropriates General Fund dollars to the Water Resources Department to implement projects that benefit water demands in the Walla Walla Basin. The effort to pass this measure began in 2023 and again in 2024, sponsored by now retired Sen. Bill Hansell (R-Athena).
At that time Hansell issued the following statement:
“Based on my over 40 years of experience as a county commissioner and state senator representing Umatilla County, I understand how intertwined the Walla Walla River Basin is with Oregon, Washington, and the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation,” he wrote. “We must have bi-state coordination on water management efforts for our shared basin to reach its potential.”
The bill closely mirrors a bill in the Washington Legislature which became law in 2023. Senate Bill 761 now goes before the Oregon House of Representatives.
