The self-service portion of House Bill 2426 is headed to the gas pumps August 4, 2023 ending a 72-year ban on driver’s filling their own tanks in Oregon, and leaving New Jersey as the only state in the Union to not allow self-service gasoline. The non-veto of the bill by Oregon Governor Tina Kotek, a Pennsylvania native, means it will go into effect by at least August 4, 2023, unless the Democrat signs it sooner. After August 4, 2023, those dressed for the occasion will not have to worry they’ll smell like petroleum, regular or better, all day/night. The bill includes designated gas pumps that will be staffed by attendants as previously. It’s kind of like what the super markets did with self-check out. You can still go through the cashier’s line, or ring up your own tab. Self-serve gas stations have been in existence in Oregon already. Some disguised as a card member station while others have been allowed in certain rural/remote counties of the State. Prior efforts to legalize self-serve gas in Oregon have never made it out of the Legislature. In fact just a year ago during the 2022 short session, lawmakers introduced a similar bill that died before even reaching a vote. Oregonians have also voted previously at the ballot box against efforts backed by the oil companies and grocery outlets. But, the Legislature keeps testing the water urged on and supported by lobbyist. A couple of statewide polls two years ago showed that more than 60% of Oregonians favored the option to pump their own gas. As Oregon loses some more front-line jobs come August 4, 2023, you would have to wonder if HB 2426 would had gotten this far if Governor Kotek had deeper roots in Oregon like our previous governors.
