SALEM, Ore – On Wednesday, June 21 the Oregon Senate passed House Bill 2426 with overwhelming bipartisan support. The new law gives Oregon drivers the choice to pump their own gas or receive service from a gas station attendant.
Under the new law, at least 50 percent of the pumps must still offer attended service for elderly, disabled, or preference-driven customers.
In 2015, legislators allowed self-serve gas during nighttime hours in rural and coastal counties to help fuel retailers and drivers.
In 2017, they extended this allowance to all hours in rural counties.
Additionally, in 2020, 2021, and 2022, Oregon’s fire marshal temporarily lifted the self-service ban statewide during emergencies like wildfires and heatwaves.
Until today, only two states would not allow citizens to dispense their own fuel; Oregon and New Jersey.
Oregon’s ban on self-serve gas has been on the books since 1951.
Motorcyclists have been able to pump their own gas since 2002. But only if they’re “handed a discharge nozzle” by a station attendant.
Owners of diesel vehicles have always been able to pump their own gas, as the 1951 ban never extended to diesel.
According to Oregon Administrative Law Oregon police can’t arrest or ticket you for pumping your own gas. State and local police are not authorized to enforce the law. Only the Oregon Fire Marshall can, and only the gas station can be slapped with a fine not exceeding five hundred dollars.
Oregon Senator Dick Anderson (R- district five) said, “HB 2426 is not official until signed by the governor. I voted for this bill. It provides options for my constituents. I like options”
As of today, Governor Kotek has declined to say if she will sign the bill into law.
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Why are they doing that? Who is out there demanding it?
Too bad,as this will impact employees who need the job,of pumping gas,plus the chance of spilled gas, A dangerous event.My aunt,lived in Nebraska,tried pumping her own gas many times,n had numerous challenges. And of course,pumping your own gas will not lower the price.Dick Anderson will not get my vote again.
We the voters of Oregon have voted this down mutiple times, why are the legislators even considering this, why not work on something that the voters actually want instead of forcing something that we have consistantly voted against.
There are a lot of us who want to pump our own fuel. You just don’t fit in that large group of individuals. Just because you don’t want it, doesn’t mean others don’t! Nothing from this bill takes away your choice to pump it yourself or have someone pump it for you. It is a compromise that gives everyone a choice.