Oregon House Bill 4049 aimed to allow users of ground water in Harney Valley to create agreements to limit their water usage. The goal was to help maintain stable ground water levels in the area. The bill would have taken effect 91 days after the legislative session ended.
OR HB4049 is a house bill in the Oregon 2026 Legislative Measures, sponsored by Mark Owens (R), currently “Failed” since March 6, 2026.
We track 304 Oregon bills this session, 2 of them sponsored by Mark Owens.
Supporters of HB 4049 would highlight that the bill promotes cooperation among ground water users in Harney Valley, fostering sustainable water management practices. They would argue that voluntary agreements could lead to better conservation efforts and help protect the local water supply for future generations.
Critics of HB 4049 might argue that the bill fails to impose necessary regulations on water use, potentially allowing over-extraction of ground water. They could express concerns that voluntary agreements may not be sufficient to ensure long-term sustainability and could harm the environment and local communities reliant on stable water resources.
About This Analysis
This summary was generated using AI from the bill's official text and metadata. Data sourced from LegiScan and the Oregon Legislative Assembly. Conflict-of-interest analysis for this bill is coming soon.
What does OR HB4049 do?
Oregon House Bill 4049 aimed to allow users of ground water in Harney Valley to create agreements to limit their water usage. The goal was to help maintain stable ground water levels in the area. The bill would have taken effect 91 days after the legislative session ended.
What is the status of OR HB4049?
OR HB4049 is currently “Failed” in the Oregon legislature.
Who sponsored OR HB4049?
Mark Owens (R) sponsored OR HB4049.
OR HB4049