Mandatory Gas Pumping May End in Northeast Oregon

The Oregon legislature is debating a proposal to do away with mandatory fuel pump attendants in counties with fewer than 40,000 people.

Advocates of the bill say it is a burden on the station attendants in remote areas. Critics worry it could be the start to a repeal of the law that employs thousands of Oregonians.

While Umatilla County has more than 40,000, the new law would impact Morrow, Union and Wallowa county in northeast Oregon. That means gas stations in Boardman and Heppner could theoretically opt out. So could La Grande and Enterprise, theoretically.