HB 3681 Oregon House · 2025 Regular Session

Relating to energy facilities.

Summary
Requires the Energy Facility Siting Council to conclude a contested case and issue a final order within 12 months from the date of a proposed order. [ Provides that any final order issued by the council is appealable directly to the Supreme Court. ] Requires the council to include in all final orders approving or rejecting an application for a site certificate or amended site certificate any decisions related to or arising from a contested case on the application. Requires a petitioner to establish individual or associational standing to appeal a final order. Provides that the council's approval or rejection of an application or request for an amendment, including decisions related to or arising from a contested case on the application or request, is conferred upon the Supreme Court. [ Allows a holder of a site certificate to file a notice for minor changes to the site boundaries of an energy facility. Allows a holder of a site certificate for certain energy facilities to file a request to extend by up to three years the deadlines by which construction of a facility must begin or be completed as specified in the site certificate. ] [ Narrows the criteria by which the Public Utility Commission reviews a petition for a certificate of public convenience and necessity for overhead transmission lines. Directs the commission to review a petition for a certificate of public convenience and necessity without requiring a petitioner to first obtain any required land use approvals. ] [ Allows the use of a site certificate for a high voltage transmission line as conclusive evidence of public use and necessity for any proceeding for condemnation of land or an interest therein. Allows a high voltage transmission line that has been designated as having statewide significance by a regional transmission authority that is established under state law to be placed in areas zoned for exclusive farm use. ] Allows a person who holds a site certificate to request to add area to the approved site boundary without the council requiring an amendment to the site certificate.
Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Feb 2025
Committee Review
May 2025
House Passage
Jun 2025
Senate Passage
Jun 2025
Signed into Law
Jun 2025
Introduced Feb 25, 2025 Signed Jun 11, 2025
Maddy AI version diff · 2 comparisons

What changed between versions

A-Engrossed Enrolled · 6 edits · Jun 11, 2025
MODERATE
The bill was finalized and enrolled for signature, with substantive changes to the energy facility siting process including new notice requirements for public hearings, a 12-month timeline for the Energy Facility Siting Council to issue final orders, and specific deadlines for approving different types of energy facilities. The bill also establishes expedited processing for smaller facilities and clarifies when issues can be raised during the siting process.
Scope change
The bill's scope remains focused on energy facility siting but adds specific procedural requirements and timelines that were not present in the earlier version.
REQUIREMENT

Added detailed notice requirements for public hearings including descriptions of the facility, contact information, and statements about inspection availability.

Changed the timing of when issues must be raised from before the proposed order to before the final public hearing.

Removed the summary section and editorial notes that were present in the A-Engrossed version but not in the enrolled version.

TIMELINE

Established a 12-month deadline for the Energy Facility Siting Council to conclude contested cases and issue final orders.

Created specific approval timelines for different facility types: 24 months for nuclear and large thermal plants, 9 months for combustion turbines and geothermal plants, 6 months for expansions, and 12 months for other facilities.

ELIGIBILITY

Added provisions for expedited processing of applications for facilities under 100 megawatts with no notice of intent required.

Floor votes · House Apr 23, 2025

How they voted

This bill passed the Senate by voice vote (no roll call recorded).
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
26
Key actions
7
Committee
4
Jun 11, 2025
Signed into law
Governor signed.
lower
Jun 3, 2025
Upper · Passed
President signed.
upper
Jun 3, 2025
Lower · Passed
Speaker signed.
lower
Jun 2, 2025
Upper · Passed
Third reading. Carried by Golden. Passed.
upper
May 19, 2025
Upper · Passed
Recommendation: Do pass the A-Eng. bill.
upper
Apr 24, 2025
Committee
Referred to Energy and Environment.
upper
Apr 24, 2025
Introduced
First reading. Referred to President's desk.
upper
Apr 23, 2025
Lower · Passed
Third reading. Carried by Gamba. Passed.
lower
Apr 16, 2025
Lower · Passed
Recommendation: Do pass with amendments and be printed A-Engrossed.
lower
Feb 27, 2025
Committee
Referred to Climate, Energy, and Environment.
lower
Feb 25, 2025
Introduced
First reading. Referred to Speaker's desk.
lower
1 primary · 4 co-sponsors

Sponsors