Cliff Bentz (R-OR)
Dalles Watershed Development Act
A Republican bill with no cosponsors
Last activity — Committee on Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on Public Lands, Forests, and Mining. Hearings held.
In the other chamber's committee
Passed one chamber and has been handed to a committee in the other.
The committee decides whether it goes any further, and most bills that reach a committee never leave it. A committee that simply does nothing kills a bill without anyone ever voting against it, so no news from here is usually the news.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- Passed House voice vote
- In Senate committee
The House by voice vote (members called out yes or no together): no member's position on it was recorded.
What this bill would do
This bill is known as the Dalles Watershed Development Act. It directs the Secretary of Agriculture to give a specific piece of federal land to the City of The Dalles, Oregon. To get the land, the City must make a written request within one year of the Act being enacted. The land being transferred is about 150 acres of National Forest System land in the Mount Hood National Forest. The City must use this land for public purposes, such as a municipal water supply and related infrastructure needs or expansions. If the City uses the land for anything else, the ownership of the land goes back to the United States.
Yes· 3 of 10
- Scored +2
Would people in rural areas be better off under this?
The bill directly benefits The Dalles, which can be considered a rural area, by facilitating land development.
- Scored +2
Does this invest in rural communities?
The conveyance of land could facilitate development that improves infrastructure in The Dalles, a more rural area.
- Scored +1
Would children be better off under this?
Depending on the development, new recreational areas or infrastructure could indirectly benefit children.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
- Section 3(a) and Section 3(e)(1) could benefit the people of The Dalles, Oregon, because the City will receive approximately 150 acres of land to use for public purposes, including for a municipal water supply and related infrastructure needs or expansions.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- Section 3(d) could be a burden for the people of The Dalles because it requires the City to pay all costs associated with the conveyance, including the cost of a required survey.
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Tap or hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would people in rural areas be better off under this? — The bill directly benefits The Dalles, which can be considered a rural area, by facilitating land development. Would business owners be better off under this? — The land conveyance could create opportunities for local business owners. Would children be better off under this? — Depending on the development, new recreational areas or infrastructure could indirectly benefit children. Would households on low incomes be better off under this? — New development could lead to more job opportunities for low-income households. Would people in middle age be better off under this? — The land conveyance could lead to new job opportunities or improved infrastructure, indirectly benefiting middle-aged individuals. Would middle-income households be better off under this? — Improved infrastructure or community facilities could benefit middle-class households. Would retired people be better off under this? — If the land conveyance leads to improved community facilities or infrastructure, it could positively affect retirees. Would people over 65 be better off under this? — Improvements related to the land conveyance may benefit seniors through new community facilities. Would people in their twenties and thirties be better off under this? — Depending on the development, the land conveyance could lead to new opportunities for young adults.
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Does this invest in rural communities? — The conveyance of land could facilitate development that improves infrastructure in The Dalles, a more rural area.
- 7/15/2026
- Committee on Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on Public Lands, Forests, and Mining. Hearings held.
- 12/10/2025
- Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
- 12/9/2025
- Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
- Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H5075)
- On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H5075)
- DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 655.
- Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H5075-5076)
- Mr. Hurd (CO) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
- 9/15/2025
- Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Natural Resources. H. Rept. 119-277.
- Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 233.
- 6/25/2025
- Subcommittee on Federal Lands Discharged
- Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
- Ordered to be Reported in the Nature of a Substitute by Unanimous Consent.
- 4/29/2025
- Subcommittee Hearings Held
- 4/23/2025
- Referred to the Subcommittee on Federal Lands.
- 1/23/2025
- Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
- Introduced in House