Oregon Farm Bureau Thwarts Bill Threatening Water Rights Transfers

After restrictive state groundwater rules were adopted in 2024, Oregon farmers were left with very few practical tools to manage water in times of drought or shortage.

When one of the governor's priority bills was introduced late during the 2025 legislative session - adding to more than 100 water-related measures - it threatened the viability of one of the most effective and efficient tools available: the temporary transfer of water rights.

Oregon Farm Bureau quickly mobilized members, coordinated strategy with other stakeholders, and worked directly with a diverse group of lawmakers to highlight the bill's unintended consequences, costs, and lack of clarity.

The measure, SB 1153, allowed "public interest" challenges of routine water transfers on vague grounds, such as "loss of in-stream habitat for sensitive, threatened, or endangered aquatic species" or potential "contributions to water quality impairment."

With one party controlling both the legislative and executive branches, and the bill one of the governor's key initiatives, many considered the bill's passage a foregone conclusion.

Unwilling to accept that, Oregon Farm Bureau elevated the issue with members, called them to action and brought them together at bimonthly meetings. The organization also coordinated with allied groups to deliver targeted, unified messaging.

Of the first batch of comments legislators received on the legislation - 852 in total - only 31 comments were in support. By the time the legislative session wrapped up, 1,900 comments had been submitted, with an overwhelming majority in opposition to the bill.

As part of their messaging, Oregon Farm Bureau and their partner groups questioned why such a precedent-setting bill was introduced so late in the session, undermining stakeholder input; highlighted the legislation's out-of-state support; challenged proponents to identify the problem the bill would solve; and pointed out the inconsistency of adding new burdens to an already overextended state water agency facing staff reductions.

Oregon Farm Bureau also understood the importance of consistent targeted outreach to key senators and daily coordination with coalition members so they would be well-positioned to change advocacy tactics when necessary.

By combining disciplined advocacy, real-time tactic adaptation, strategic use of legislative dynamics and coalition strength, Oregon Farm Bureau not only thwarted what many assumed would be the inevitable passage of this harmful bill, the organization also set themselves up for future meaningful stakeholder engagement.

State Awards of Excellence

Oregon Farm Bureau's efforts to prevent passage of SB 1153 were recognized with a 2026 Award of Excellence in the Coalitions and Partnerships category. The award was presented at the 2026 American Farm Bureau Convention in January in Anaheim.