PFAS Action Act of 2021
This bill establishes requirements and incentives to limit the use of perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances, commonly referred to as PFAS, and remediate PFAS in the environment. PFAS are man-made and may have adverse human health effects. A variety of products contain PFAS, such as nonstick cookware or weatherproof clothing.
The bill directs the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to designate the PFAS perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS) as a hazardous substances under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980, thereby requiring remediation of releases of those PFAS into the environment. Within five years, the EPA must determine whether the remaining PFAS should be designated as hazardous substances.
The EPA must also determine whether PFAS should be designated as toxic pollutants under the Clean Water Act. If PFAS are designated as toxic, then the EPA must establish standards to limit discharges of PFAS from industrial sources into waters of the United States. In addition, the EPA must issue a national primary drinking water regulation for PFAS that, at a minimum, includes standards for PFOA and PFOS.
Among other requirements, the EPA must also issue a final rule adding PFOA and PFOS to the list of hazardous air pollutants, test all PFAS for toxicity to human health, and regulate the disposal of materials containing PFAS.
Finally, the bill provides incentives to address PFAS, such as grants to help community water systems treat water contaminated by PFAS.
| Action Date | Type | Text | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021-07-22 | IntroReferral | Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works. | Senate |
| 2021-07-21 | Floor | The Clerk was authorized to correct section numbers, punctuation, and cross references, and to make other necessary technical and conforming corrections in the engrossment of H.R. 2467. | House floor actions |
| 2021-07-21 | Floor | Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection. | House floor actions |
| 2021-07-21 | Vote | On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 241 - 183 (Roll no. 217). | House floor actions |
| 2021-07-21 | Vote | On motion to recommit Failed by the Yeas and Nays: 204 - 218 (Roll no. 216). | House floor actions |
| 2021-07-21 | Floor | The previous question on the motion to recommit was ordered pursuant to clause 2(b) of rule XIX. | House floor actions |
| 2021-07-21 | Floor | Mr. Crenshaw moved to recommit to the Committee on Energy and Commerce. (text: CR H3789) | House floor actions |
| 2021-07-21 | Floor | The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule. | House floor actions |
| 2021-07-21 | Floor | DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 535, the House proceeded with 20 minutes of debate on the Tonko amendment en bloc. | House floor actions |
| 2021-07-21 | Floor | DEBATE - The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H.R. 2467. | House floor actions |
| 2021-07-21 | Floor | Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 2467, H.R. 2668 and H.R. 3985. The resolution provides for one hour of general debate on H.R. 2467, H.R. 2668 and H.R. 3985. The resolution provides en bloc suspension authority and provides at any time through the legislative day of Thursday, July 22, 2021, the Speaker may entertain motions offered by the Majority Leader or a designee that the House suspend the rules with respect to multiple measures that were the object of motions to suspend the rules on the legislative days of July 19 or 20, 2021, and on which the yeas and nays were ordered and further proceedings postponed. | House floor actions |
| 2021-07-21 | Floor | Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 535. (consideration: CR H3770-3791; text: CR H3770-3773) | House floor actions |
| 2021-07-19 | Floor | Rules Committee Resolution H. Res. 535 Reported to House. Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 2467, H.R. 2668 and H.R. 3985. The resolution provides for one hour of general debate on H.R. 2467, H.R. 2668 and H.R. 3985. The resolution provides en bloc suspension authority and provides at any time through the legislative day of Thursday, July 22, 2021, the Speaker may entertain motions offered by the Majority Leader or a designee that the House suspend the rules with respect to multiple measures that were the object of motions to suspend the rules on the legislative days of July 19 or 20, 2021, and on which the yeas and nays were ordered and further proceedings postponed. | House floor actions |
| 2021-07-13 | Calendars | Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 61. | House floor actions |
| 2021-07-13 | Discharge | Committee on Transportation discharged. | House floor actions |
| 2021-07-13 | Committee | Reported by the Committee on Energy and Commerce. H. Rept. 117-86, Part I. | House floor actions |
| 2021-06-23 | Committee | Ordered to be Reported by the Yeas and Nays: 33 - 20. | House committee actions |
| 2021-06-23 | Committee | Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held. | House committee actions |
| 2021-06-16 | Committee | Forwarded by Subcommittee to Full Committee by the Yeas and Nays: 16 - 7 . | House committee actions |
| 2021-06-16 | Committee | Subcommittee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held. | House committee actions |
| 2021-04-14 | Committee | Referred to the Subcommittee on Environment and Climate Change. | House committee actions |
| 2021-04-14 | Committee | Referred to the Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment. | House committee actions |
| 2021-04-13 | IntroReferral | Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned. | House floor actions |
| 2021-04-13 | IntroReferral | Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned. | House floor actions |
| 2021-04-13 | IntroReferral | Introduced in House | Library of Congress |