OregonOregon fuel terminals must show they can cover spill costs
Terminal owners and operators must get state certificates showing they can cover spill costs, with initial applications due by March 31, 2027, at the latest.
What it does
Oregon fuel terminal owners and operators must show they can cover potential spill costs, including cleanup, fire damage, and harm to natural resources. The state must set coverage amounts based on risk, up to a $300 million cap.
State rules must explain how terminals can prove they can pay for spill costs and how the state can enforce the certificate requirement. Local governments may not require extra or higher coverage.
Argument forRequired financial coverage could help Oregon, tribes, and local communities pay for cleanup and damage after a fuel or hazardous material spill.
Argument againstTerminals could face high costs to secure coverage, and the state could restrict operations or impose daily penalties if they operate without a certificate.
More detail
Terminal owners and operators must get and maintain a certificate showing they can cover potential spill costs. This applies to owners and operators of bulk oil or liquid fuel terminals in Oregon. The Environmental Quality Commission must set minimum coverage amounts based on terminal risks, potential spill costs, available coverage, and requirements in other jurisdictions. The rules may not require more than $300 million in coverage. The Department of Environmental Quality may not adjust that cap before January 1, 2030. Terminals operating when the law took effect must apply by a deadline set in rules, no later than March 31, 2027. Certificates must be renewed every three years and when terminal ownership or the certificate holder changes.
The commission must set rules for proving coverage and enforcing the certificate requirement. These rules cover Oregon bulk oil or liquid fuel terminals and local governments. Self-insurance rules must require a solvency or credit test, quarterly reports, and a guarantee for the required amount. The state rules may restrict or suspend terminal operations and impose daily penalties for operating without a certificate. Local governments may not require extra or higher coverage.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed House
- Passed Senate
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- Apr 6Chapter 54, (2026 Laws): Effective date March 31, 2026.Latest
- Mar 31Governor Tina Kotek signed.Became Law
- Mar 10President signed.Major
- Mar 10Speaker signed.Major
- Mar 6Rules suspended. Third reading. Carried by Frederick. Passed.Passed Senate
- Vote recorded Rules suspended. Third reading. Carried by Frederick. Passed. Result: pass.Upper
- Mar 6Second reading.Minor
- Mar 6Recommendation: Do pass the B-Eng. bill.Minor
- Mar 5Referred to Ways and Means.Minor
- Vote recorded Third reading. Carried by Isadore, Nelson. Passed. Result: pass.Lower
- Mar 5First reading. Referred to President's desk.Minor
- Mar 5Third reading. Carried by Isadore, Nelson. Passed.Passed House
- Mar 4Second reading.Minor
- Mar 4Recommendation: Do pass with amendments and be printed B-Engrossed.Minor
- Mar 3Work Session held.
- Vote recorded Heard and Reported Out with Amendments. Result: pass.Legislature
- Mar 3Returned to Full Committee.
- Mar 3Work Session held.
- Mar 2Assigned to Subcommittee On Capital Construction.Minor
- Feb 16Referred to Ways and Means by order of Speaker.Minor
- Feb 16Recommendation: Do pass with amendments, be printed A-Engrossed, and be referred to Ways and Means.Minor
- Feb 12Work Session held.
- Vote recorded Heard and Reported Out with Amendments. Result: pass.Lower
- Feb 10Public Hearing held.
- Feb 2Referred to Emergency Management and Veterans.Minor
- Feb 2First reading. Referred to Speaker's desk.Introduced
Environment & EnergyPublic Safety