Representative Gene Whisnant says he's crossed a major hurdle in a bill that is his top priority this session. House Bill 3623 "The Deschutes Basin Water Mitigation Bill" would extend the water management agreement to the year 2029. It was due to sunset in 2014. Whisnant says the agreement is important because local cities, farming and others need the stability in knowing what their water resources will look like for many years. “This Bill would re-authorize the successful mitigation conservation program we've had for over 15 years. As anything, you think everyone’s for it; but we ran into some roadblocks. But yesterday, I think we crossed the last roadblock and the bill should move forward. “ It passed out of the Ways and Means Subcommittee on Natural Resources and now moves to the full committee and then the House and Senate. He says at the end of the day, they had support from Water Watch, Water for Life, Friends of the Metolius and the Water Resource Department. With this hurdle out of the way, Whisnant believes the Bill has a good chance of making its way thru the session.