Oregon Legislature Passes SB 1154: A Step Toward Cleaner Groundwater

Oregon lawmakers have approved Senate Bill 1154, a landmark update to the state’s groundwater protection policy to improve water quality with coordinated state response teams.  

“We are pleased to see SB 1154 pass through the state legislature,” said Justin Green, executive director, Water for Eastern Oregon. “Though not perfect, it does create more coordination across state agencies when there are water quality concerns. We want to thank Gov. Tina Kotek and her team for the work they put in after listening to feedback from various stakeholders. This bill should show communities across Oregon, including the Lower Umatilla Basin, that the state is working hard to address water quality.” 

SB 1154 creates interagency response teams led by the governor to monitor, oversee and coordinate responses in highly affected areas, or “red zones.” Response teams include members from the Oregon Department of Agriculture, Department of Environmental Quality, Water Resources Department, Oregon Health Authority and Department of Land Conservation and Development.  

The bill has garnered bipartisan support from the Oregon Legislature, as well as Gov. Kotek, who sees SB 1154 as a necessary update to Oregon’s groundwater policies.  

Rep. Bobby Levy (R-Echo) told her colleagues on the House floor this bill is just one tool needed to address groundwater concerns. 

“Oregon's water policy should not be one size fits all,” she said. “We must continue to find ways to support and empower local solutions while holding our state agencies accountable to partnerships based on respect, transparency and measurable outcomes.” 

Looking forward, the success of SB 1154 hinges on how actively the state enforces the requirements set out in the bill and whether agencies are authorized to respond to red zones. The bill seeks to balance environmental safeguards with rural independence. The enrolled bill will now be sent to Gov. Kotek’s desk for her signature.