Southeastern Oregon Development Act

Bill: 115-s-1714
Sponsor: Sen. Wyden, Ron [D-OR]
Introduced: 2017-08-02 in the Senate
Policy area: Public Lands and Natural Resources
Subjects: Agricultural conservation and pollution
Agricultural marketing and promotion
Agricultural practices and innovations
Agricultural research
Aviation and airports
Birds
Economic development
Emergency medical services and trauma care
Employment and training programs
Endangered and threatened species
Fires
First responders and emergency personnel
Government studies and investigations
Infrastructure development
Internet and video services
Internet, web applications, social media
Land transfers
Land use and conservation
Livestock
Mining
Oil and gas
Oregon
Roads and highways
Rural conditions and development
Telephone and wireless communication
Transportation programs funding
Veterans' education, employment, rehabilitation
Vocational and technical education
Water quality
Water resources funding
Water storage
Water use and supply
Wildlife conservation and habitat protection
Youth employment and child labor

Summary:
action_date: 2017-08-02
text: 

Southeastern Oregon Development Act

 
This bill directs the Department of Agriculture (USDA) to make grants for projects in Oregon to develop modern and efficient water systems. 
 
USDA shall establish an Agricultural Center for Rangeland Excellence in Malheur County, Oregon (the county).
 
The Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 is amended to make the rural firefighters and emergency medical service assistance program permanent and require grant amounts to fund the operating expenses of firefighters in rural areas. 
 
The Departments of Homeland Security, of Defense, and of the Interior shall establish programs for transferring surplus equipment that can be used in fire fighting.
 
Interior shall establish a program of strategic fuel breaks from which firefighters can operate safely to preserve critical sage grouse habitat and support the nearby ranching community.
 
USDA shall make grants for infrastructure projects for drinking water and wastewater systems and for improvement of broadband or cellular service. 
 
The Department of Transportation (DOT) shall study rural air services and infrastructure for Ontario (Oregon) Municipal Airport. 
 
DOT shall:
 
 
make a grant for the construction or improvement of transportation systems facilitating the efficient movement of agricultural and other products through the Treasure Valley Intermodal Transfer Facility in the county;
 
furnish financial assistance for projects that would improve the downtown area of the cities of the county, surrounding communities, and transportation within the cities; and
 
make grants to the state to support Lake Owyhee road transportation improvement projects. 
 
 
The Department of Labor shall make grants for workforce development training activities in the county.
 
USDA shall conduct a study on the need for an economic regional commission in specified counties in Oregon. 
 
The bill establishes the Southeastern Oregon Withdrawal Area, comprising 2.065 million acres of specified federal land in the county, which shall be withdrawn from certain public land, mining, and mineral leasing laws. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-08-02
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.
action_date: 2017-08-02
text: Introduced in Senate