Oregon revised groundwater quality bill flips some detractors and supporters

Mateusz Perkowski | Capital Press | June 12, 2025

The bill’s original version would’ve addressed problems that led to Oregon’s “systemic failure” to remedy nitrate pollution in the Umatilla basin, said Kaleb Lay, policy and research director at the Oregon Rural Action nonprofit.

“Those provisions were in this bill in earlier stages and they need to be put back,” Lay testified before the Senate Rules Committee, which recently approved the amendment. “Our position at this point is that we have withdrawn our support.”

It’s disappointing that lawmakers have caved in to pressure from opponents of the original version of SB 1154, who have relied on false information and fear-mongering, said Amy van Saun, senior attorney for the Center for Food Safety nonprofit.

Without provisions requiring state agencies to exert their regulatory authority under certain circumstances, which were the “heart” of the original bill, the amended version will not be effective in preventing or correcting groundwater contamination, she said.

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