A bill to benefit the residents of the River Meadows development south of Sunriver passed the Oregon Senate on a unanimous 30-0 vote yesterday. House Bill 3096 A allows non-profit and for-profit water improvement companies to own and operate sanitary sewer services and include existing systems in land improvement plans.
It passed the House April 25 on a unanimous 60-0 vote and is on its way to Gov. Kitzhaber’s desk for his signature.
The River Meadows community was developed, plotted and approved prior to the implementation of the state’s comprehensive statewide land-use laws, and had its own sewer and water entities. However, those entities were not allowed to consolidate their operations as an improvement district under existing state laws.
Having those entities operate as a service district, which was allowed under law, would have precluded part-time residents from participating in votes affecting them or serving as board members.
Constituents approached Rep. Whisnant about this problem last year, and he began drafting the legislation with the assistance of Three River Meadows Home Owners Association attorney Bruce White and general manager David Wayland.
“This is a simple bill,” Rep. Whisnant said. “I’m glad to be able to help my constituents through broadly supported, bi-partisan legislation such as HB 3096 A.”
Rep. Whisnant is serving his sixth term as State Representative for Redmond, Sunriver, Tumalo and parts of
