The Oregon State Legislature is moving forward with a bill that would allow for gas stations throughout the state to offer self-serve gasoline. Oregon is one of two states left that requires an attendant to pump gas for drivers, the other is New Jersey.
House Bill 4151 moved forward out of the Joint Transportation Committee on Tuesday. The bill would still require that an attendant be present to offer full service at half the pumps at each gas station.
Back in 2015, the state relaxed the rules allowing for some rural counties to allow customers to pump their own gas at night. The state also allowed customers to pump their own gas during a brief period in 2020 due to the pandemic.
Supporters of the bill have launched a website, choiceatthepump.com, to try and garner support. According to the site, 68.8% of registered Oregonian voters favor a self-service refueling option as found in a poll conducted by Nelson Research in October 2021.
The bill has bi-partisan support with sponsors from both sides including Rep. Shelly Boshart Davis, R-Albany; Rep. Julie Fahey, D-Eugene; Rep. Ron Noble, R-McMinnville; Rep. Rick Lewis, R-Silverton; Sen. Janeen Sollman, D-Hillsboro; and Sen. Brian Boquist, I-Dallas.
The next step for the bill will be a hearing by the legislature’s budget committee.
By Jennifer Williams
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