Bill > HB3526

This bill modifies Oregon's requirements for selling real estate with an exempt well (a well used for specific exempted purposes under state water law) by mandating that sellers conduct and disclose water quality testing results. Specifically, sellers must test exempt wells for arsenic, nitrates, and total coliform bacteria, and submit these test results to the Department of Environmental Quality and the buyer. The bill introduces a new legal provision allowing buyers to sue sellers if they do not provide well test results and if the well contains contaminants exceeding maximum legal levels. The cause of action for such a lawsuit is limited to five years after the property transaction closes. Additionally, the bill updates the standard property disclosure statement to include more detailed questions about well testing, requiring sellers to indicate whether they have conducted tests, and if so, whether they have included the results with the disclosure and provided them to the Department of Environmental Quality. The changes aim to provide more transparency and protection for buyers purchasing properties with exempt wells by ensuring they receive critical information about water quality before finalizing a real estate transaction.

Agriculture and Natural Resources

https://olis.oregonlegislature.gov/liz/2025R1/Measures/Overview/HB3526