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House approves bill requiring landlords to test rental wells in designated groundwater areas
Summary
House Bill 35 25 B passed the Oregon House, requiring landlords of rentals with exempt domestic wells in designated groundwater management areas to test drinking water for contaminants and share results with tenants and the Oregon Health Authority.
The Oregon House on June 20 passed House Bill 35 25 B, requiring landlords who rent properties served by exempt domestic wells in designated groundwater management areas to test drinking water for specific contaminants and to provide test results to tenants and applicants.
Representative Pam Hartman, sponsor of the bill, said the measure is about giving tenants the information they need to know whether their drinking water is safe. “Everyone deserves to know if their water is safe,” Hartman said on the floor.
Under the bill, landlords must test water for contaminants including arsenic, E. coli (coliform bacteria), lead and nitrates. If test results show contaminant levels below federal limits, testing is required only once every four years; if results exceed federal limits, testing is required annually. The bill limits its scope to units located within designated groundwater management areas and delays the operative date to 2027.
The bill’s current form removes earlier provisions that would have required landlords to treat or repair wells or that would have created a private right of action. Sponsors and stakeholders described the final measure as narrowed after months of negotiation to reduce unintended consequences while ensuring tenants receive test information. The Oregon Health Authority will receive test results so it can coordinate public‑health responses and assistance when contamination is found.
Representative Pam Owens and other supporters emphasized the bill’s limited scope — staff noted there are three ground water management areas in the state — and framed the measure as a targeted protection for renters in areas known for water‑quality concerns. Representative Helm and others also praised the bill as a step forward despite concessions.
Opponents were limited on the floor in the excerpt; discussions referenced concerns about costs and landlord obligations early in the drafting process, which were addressed by narrowing the bill.
The House recorded a roll call with a number of aye and no votes noted in the transcript excerpt; House Bill 35 25 B received the required constitutional majority and was declared passed. Sponsors said the law will be implemented with OHA coordination and will be phased in per the bill’s effective date.
