All Roll Calls
Yes: 400 • No: 22
117-s-231117th CongressWALLET
PFAS Act
Sponsored By: Senator Peters, Gary C. [D-MI]
Became Law
Summary
Protecting firefighters and emergency responders from PFAS exposure. This law directs the Department of Homeland Security to publish guidance, provide a training curriculum, and create a public online repository of tools and best practices to reduce PFAS exposure and prevent releases.
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- Firefighters and emergency responders — Within 1 year, DHS must publish guidance and make a curriculum available that focuses on reducing PFAS exposure from firefighting foam and personal protective equipment and on PFAS-free and non-foam alternatives.
- PFAS-impacted communities and the environment — The online repository will collect and update tools and best practices aimed at preventing PFAS release from firefighting foam and limiting environmental exposure.
- Training partners and experts — DHS must coordinate with the United States Fire Administration, the Environmental Protection Agency, and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. The USFA Administrator will recommend curriculum content after consulting firefighters, PFAS-impacted communities, scientists, standards groups, state fire training academies, state fire marshals, and manufacturers.
- Review and limits — DHS must review the guidance and curriculum no later than 3 years after issuance and at least every 3 years after that. The law excludes the Federal Advisory Committee Act, does not require rulemaking under the Administrative Procedure Act, and does not authorize new funding or enforcement authorities.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.
PFAS safety training for firefighters
The law requires DHS to publish guidance and a training curriculum for firefighters and emergency responders. They aim to cut PFAS exposure from foam and gear and to prevent PFAS releases. The U.S. Fire Administration consults firefighters, communities, scientists, standards groups, state academies, marshals, and manufacturers. Guidance and curriculum are due within one year of enactment and updated at least every three years. DHS also launches a public online repository with tools and best practices, updated regularly.
Streamlined PFAS guidance process for agencies
The law exempts PFAS Act activities from the Federal Advisory Committee Act. Agencies can consult advisory groups without FACA procedures. It also says DHS does not have to use the Administrative Procedure Act to issue rules. The guidance and training are not formal regulations. This change is procedural and does not give direct benefits or costs to households.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Peters, Gary C. [D-MI]
MI • D
Cosponsors
Sen. Sullivan, Dan [R-AK]
AK • R
Sponsored 2/4/2021
Sen. Hassan, Margaret Wood [D-NH]
NH • D
Sponsored 2/4/2021
Sen. Tillis, Thomas [R-NC]
NC • R
Sponsored 2/4/2021
Sen. Carper, Thomas R. [D-DE]
DE • D
Sponsored 2/4/2021
Sen. Murkowski, Lisa [R-AK]
AK • R
Sponsored 2/4/2021
Sen. Collins, Susan M. [R-ME]
ME • R
Sponsored 2/4/2021
Rep. Sinema, Kyrsten [D-AZ-9]
AZ • D
Sponsored 3/17/2021
Sen. Shaheen, Jeanne [D-NH]
NH • D
Sponsored 4/22/2021
Roll Call Votes
house vote • 12/1/2022
On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass
Yes: 400 • No: 22