Bill Text: OR HJM7 | 2013 | Regular Session | Enrolled
Bill Title: Urging Congress to increase investment in Drinking Water State Revolving Fund and Clean Water State Revolving Fund.
Spectrum: Slight Partisan Bill (Democrat 20-9)
Status: (Passed) 2013-05-22 - Filed with Secretary of State. [HJM7 Detail]
Download: Oregon-2013-HJM7-Enrolled.html
77th OREGON LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY--2013 Regular Session
Enrolled
House Joint Memorial 7
Sponsored by Representatives DEMBROW, KOMP; Representatives
BARNHART, BOONE, CLEM, FREDERICK, FREEMAN, GORSEK, HOLVEY,
HUFFMAN, JOHNSON, KENY-GUYER, KRIEGER, LIVELY, MCKEOWN,
NATHANSON, REARDON, THOMPSON, WHISNANT, WILLIAMSON, WITT,
Senators EDWARDS, GIROD, HASS, MONNES ANDERSON, MONROE, OLSEN,
ROBLAN, STARR
To the President of the United States and the Senate and the
House of Representatives of the United States of America, in
Congress assembled:
We, your memorialists, the Seventy-seventh Legislative Assembly
of the State of Oregon, in legislative session assembled,
respectfully represent as follows:
Whereas generations of Oregonians have enjoyed access to safe,
reliable and accessible public water, but a lack of investment in
critical water systems that are relied upon to bring clean,
accessible water to communities and the aging of public water
infrastructure pose significant threats to the quality, safety,
reliability and accessibility of public water; and
Whereas water is widely viewed in Oregon as a public trust to
be managed for the common good of the public at large; and
Whereas approximately 80 percent of Oregon residents get their
drinking water from public water systems; and
Whereas the federal Safe Drinking Water Act Amendments of 1996
created the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund for the purpose
of assisting states with funding to ensure safe public drinking
water; and
Whereas in 2010 the Department of Human Services determined
that $44 million would be needed in order to fund projects for
protecting existing sources of public drinking water in Oregon;
and
Whereas in 2010 the final amount of funding from the Drinking
Water State Revolving Fund available for use on Oregon priority
projects was $9,752,311, representing less than 25 percent of the
amount needed; and
Whereas according to the United States Environmental Protection
Agency, approximately 45 percent of the investment needs in
Oregon for public water infrastructure are in communities with a
population of less than 10,000; and
Whereas the Title VI provisions of the federal Clean Water Act
created the Clean Water State Revolving Fund in 1987 for the
purpose of assisting states with funding to ensure clean water
resources and wastewater systems and treatment facilities for the
public; and
Whereas in 2011 the Department of Environmental Quality
determined that $380,821,000 will be needed in order to fully
fund projects for maintaining clean water resource programs and
wastewater systems and treatment facilities to protect the public
and Oregon water resources; and
Whereas in 2011 the funding from the Clean Water State
Revolving Fund predicted to be available for use on Oregon
Enrolled House Joint Memorial 7 (HJM 7-INTRO) Page 1
priority projects was $23,017,000, representing six percent of
the amount needed; and
Whereas 50 percent of Oregon priority projects for funding from
the Clean Water State Revolving Fund would serve communities with
a population of less than 5,000; and
Whereas the current levels of funding for the Drinking Water
State Revolving Fund and the Clean Water State Revolving Fund are
not sufficient to ensure that Oregon's public drinking water and
wastewater systems and treatment facilities are maintained and
protected to benefit the health and safety of Oregon residents
and benefit Oregon water resources; and
Whereas investing in Oregon's public drinking water and
wastewater systems and treatment facilities will create and
support family wage jobs for Oregon workers; and
Whereas according to the National Utility Contractors
Association, for every $1 billion that is invested nationally in
water infrastructure, almost 27,000 jobs are created; and
Whereas it is critical for Oregon students to have access to
safe and clean drinking water; and
Whereas there is currently no dedicated federal funding
available for updating and repairing drinking water systems in
public schools; and
Whereas protecting the public drinking water and wastewater
systems and treatment facilities in the nation's communities is
of crucial importance and requires an ongoing federal funding
commitment; now, therefore,
Be It Resolved by the Legislative Assembly of the State of
Oregon:
(1) The Seventy-seventh Legislative Assembly of the State of
Oregon urges the Congress of the United States of America to
increase investment in the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund to
upgrade and repair the nation's aging public drinking water
systems in order to ensure that all citizens have access to safe,
clean and affordable drinking water.
(2) The Seventy-seventh Legislative Assembly urges the Congress
of the United States to increase investment in the Clean Water
State Revolving Fund to upgrade and repair the nation's aging
public water and wastewater treatment systems in order to ensure
the health and safety of the nation's urban and rural
environments and water resources.
(3) The Seventy-seventh Legislative Assembly urges the Congress
of the United States to ensure that federal funding is available
for public water systems in both large and small communities and
ensure that dedicated funding is made available for updating and
repairing drinking water systems in the nation's public schools.
(4) A copy of this memorial shall be sent to the President and
Vice President of the United States, to the Senate Majority
Leader, to the Speaker of the House of Representatives and to
each member of the Oregon Congressional Delegation.
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Enrolled House Joint Memorial 7 (HJM 7-INTRO) Page 2
Adopted by House March 13, 2013
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Ramona J. Line, Chief Clerk of
House
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Tina Kotek, Speaker of House
Adopted by Senate May 20, 2013
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Peter Courtney, President of
Senate
Enrolled House Joint Memorial 7 (HJM 7-INTRO) Page 3
