Committee earmarks $800,000 for OSU to study PFAS in biosolids; House Bill 2947 approved in committee

The House Agriculture, Land Use, Natural Resources, and Water Committee on March 19 approved House Bill 2947 as amended, which appropriates $800,000 from the general fund to Oregon State University to study the occurrence and distribution of PFAS in biosolids applied to agricultural fields not producing crops for human consumption.

Committee staff described the -1 amendment as specifying the appropriation amount of $800,000. The bill requires OSU Extension Service and the OSU College of Agricultural Sciences, in collaboration with the Department of Environmental Quality and wastewater service providers, to study PFAS in biosolids applied to non-food crop fields. Committee staff said the measure has fiscal impact, no revenue impact, and is prior-referred to the Joint Committee on Ways and Means.

Committee members spoke in favor; one member noted local concerns about PFAS in relation to landfills and broader environmental impacts. Representative Sarah Finger McDonald moved the -1 amendment and then moved the bill, as amended, to the floor with a do-pass recommendation and referral to Ways and Means by prior reference. The committee chair announced the measure passed out of committee.

Practical effect: the appropriation would fund OSU to study PFAS occurrence and distribution in biosolids applied to fields not producing food intended for human consumption. The transcript records the appropriation amount ($800,000) and the prior referral; no roll-call tally is included in the excerpt.