HB 3246 Oregon House · 2025 Regular Session

Relating to circular economy; declaring an emergency.

Summary

] Directs the Oregon Business Development Department to develop a roadmap for the purpose of promoting voluntary industrial symbiosis activities in Oregon. Requires the department to submit a report to the interim committees of the Legislative Assembly related to economic development not later than September 15, 2026. Appropriates moneys to the Oregon Business Development Department to fund technical assistance for up to six industrial symbiosis pilot communities in Oregon. Authorizes certain county service districts to fund water resource management services with charges for district services, facilities or commodities. [ Sunsets on January 2, 2028. ] Declares an emergency, effective on passage.

Issues: ✓ Environment

Bill status in committee 1 of 4 stages cleared

Introduction

Jan 2025

Committee Review

Floor Vote

Governor

Introduced Jan 21, 2025 Last action Jun 28, 2025

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What changed between versions

Introduced → A-Engrossed · 6 edits

MODERATE

The bill was amended to add more specific requirements for industrial symbiosis pilot programs, including geographic and industry diversity criteria, a competitive bidding process for selecting technical assistance providers, and a $1.3 million appropriation. The definition of industrial symbiosis was expanded to emphasize voluntary collaboration, and the sunset date for the program was retained through January 2, 2028.

Scope change

The bill now explicitly requires pilot communities to reflect geographic and industrial diversity, including at least one community east of the Cascades, one west of the Cascades, one in food processing, and one related to municipal wastewater.

DEFINITION

Definition of industrial symbiosis was updated to emphasize voluntary collaboration among businesses to exchange materials, energy, water, and by-products for resource optimization and waste reduction.

REQUIREMENT

Added specific criteria requiring pilot communities to reflect geographic and industrial diversity, including representation from east and west of the Cascade Range, food processing, and municipal wastewater sectors.

Added requirement for the department to use an open, competitive bidding process to select technical assistance providers by December 31, 2025.

Amended ORS 451.490 to clarify how county service districts can finance water resource management services through various funding mechanisms.

FISCAL

Added $1,300,000 appropriation from the General Fund for the 2025-2027 biennium to provide technical assistance to up to six industrial symbiosis pilot communities.

TIMELINE

Added specific deadlines: pilot community selection by July 1, 2026, and technical assistance provider selection by December 31, 2025.

Floor votes

How they voted

No floor votes recorded yet.

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Jun 28, 2025

Lower · Passed

In committee upon adjournment.

lower

Apr 1, 2025

Committee

Referred to Ways and Means by prior reference.

lower

Apr 1, 2025

Lower · Passed

Recommendation: Do pass with amendments, be printed A-Engrossed, and be referred to Ways and Means by prior reference.

lower

Jan 24, 2025

Committee

Referred to Economic Development, Small Business, and Trade with subsequent referral to Ways and Means.

lower

Jan 21, 2025

Introduced

First reading. Referred to Speaker's desk.

lower

4 primary · 20 co-sponsors