House Bill 2079 now goes to the governor for his signature.

Rep. John Huffman, a Republican from The Dalles, sponsored the bill. Huffman says he did so on behalf of law enforcement officials who have had to respond to countless emergencies involving people who didn’t wear life jackets when navigating whitewater rapids.

Sen. Ted Ferrioli, a John Day Republican, says he expects the bill to save money because communities will have to conduct fewer rescue and recovery missions. He adds that fewer missions will reduce the psychological toll on Oregon’s search and rescue crews.