75th OREGON LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY--2009 Regular Session
 
NOTE:  Matter within  { +  braces and plus signs + } in an
amended section is new. Matter within  { -  braces and minus
signs - } is existing law to be omitted. New sections are within
 { +  braces and plus signs + } .
 
LC 1777
 
                           C-Engrossed
 
                         House Bill 3153
                  Ordered by the Senate June 17
  Including House Amendments dated May 5 and May 27 and Senate
                    Amendments dated June 17
 
Sponsored by Representative CLEM; Representatives BOONE, C
  EDWARDS
 
 
                             SUMMARY
 
The following summary is not prepared by the sponsors of the
measure and is not a part of the body thereof subject to
consideration by the Legislative Assembly. It is an editor's
brief statement of the essential features of the measure.
 
  Requires utility provider to consult   { - with owners - }
 { + record owner + } of high-value farmland for purpose of
locating and constructing transmission line in manner that
minimizes impact on farming operations.
 
                        A BILL FOR AN ACT
Relating to utility facilities.
Be It Enacted by the People of the State of Oregon:
  SECTION 1.  { + (1) As used in this section:
  (a) 'Consult' means to make an effort to contact for purpose of
notifying the record owner of the opportunity to meet.
  (b) 'High-value farmland' has the meaning given that term in
ORS 195.300.
  (c) 'Transmission line' means a linear utility facility by
which a utility provider transfers the utility product in bulk
from a point of origin or generation, or between transfer
stations, to the point at which the utility product is
transferred to distribution lines for delivery to end users.
  (2) If the criteria described in ORS 215.275 for siting a
utility facility on land zoned for exclusive farm use are met for
a utility facility that is a transmission line, the utility
provider shall, after the route is approved by the siting
authorities and before construction of the transmission line
begins, consult the record owner of high-value farmland in the
planned route for the purpose of locating and constructing the
transmission line in a manner that minimizes the impact on
farming operations on high-value farmland. If the record owner
does not respond within two weeks after the first documented
effort to consult the record owner, the utility provider shall
notify the record owner by certified mail of the opportunity to
consult. If the record owner does not respond within two weeks
after the certified mail is sent, the utility provider has
satisfied the provider's obligation to consult.
  (3) The requirement to consult under this section is in
addition to and not in lieu of any other legally required
consultation process. + }
                         ----------