Relating to a study of PFAS in biosolids applied to land; and declaring an emergency.
Summary
HB 2947 directs Oregon State University’s Extension Service and College of Agricultural Sciences to conduct a statewide study on PFAS contamination in biosolids that are applied to agricultural land. The study is intended to measure PFAS levels in biosolids from wastewater treatment facilities, in soils on fields amended with those biosolids, in nearby comparison fields, and in crops grown on those fields that are not intended for human consumption. It also requires the researchers to assess how much PFAS is retained in or leached from soil profiles and to compare findings with published research.
The bill requires collaboration with the Department of Environmental Quality and Oregon wastewater service providers, but participation by wastewater providers, farmers, landowners, and land managers is voluntary. It also directs the researchers to protect confidentiality by avoiding disclosure of precise facility or field locations and by reporting only aggregated or summarized data. The study must produce a progress report by December 15, 2026, and a final report by September 1, 2028, after which the statutory study section is repealed. The bill appropriates $410,000 from the General Fund to the Higher Education Coordinating Commission for distribution to Oregon State University, and it takes effect immediately as an emergency measure.
Impact
HB 2947 does not directly regulate PFAS use or biosolids application, but it creates a temporary statutory program to gather statewide data that could inform future environmental, agricultural, and public health policy. It adds a one-time General Fund appropriation and assigns Oregon State University a research and reporting role in coordination with DEQ and wastewater providers. The bill affects biosolids management, agricultural land application practices, and monitoring of PFAS in soil and crops, while preserving confidentiality for participating facilities and landowners.
Sentiment
The bill appears to have broad legislative support and relatively little opposition. It advanced through committee with strong majorities and passed both chambers by comfortable margins, suggesting general agreement that PFAS in biosolids is a significant issue worth studying. The emergency clause and direct funding indicate a sense of urgency around understanding contamination risks and generating Oregon-specific data.
Contention
The main points of potential contention are not reflected in committee testimony, but the structure of the bill suggests likely concerns about cost, confidentiality, and the implications of studying PFAS on working agricultural lands. Some stakeholders may be wary of how the findings could affect wastewater treatment operations, biosolids reuse, or farm management practices, while others may want stronger action than a study alone. The bill addresses these concerns by making participation voluntary and requiring non-identifying, aggregated reporting.