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PFAS Action Act of 2019

Introduced: October 16, 2019 Introduced by: Dingell, Debbie Democratic · Michigan See on congress.gov
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This bill died when the 116th Congress ended
It never became law before the 116th Congress (2019–2020) adjourned, and bills don't carry over to the next Congress. It would have to be reintroduced. You can still save it for reference, but it won't receive updates.
 Everywhere this bill has been 49 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Jan 13, 2020
Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
Jan 10, 2020
The House adopted the amendment in the nature of a substitute as agreed to by the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union.
Jan 10, 2020
The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.
Jan 10, 2020
The House rose from the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union to report H.R. 535.
Jan 10, 2020
DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 779, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Slotkin amendment No. 22.
Jan 10, 2020
DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 779, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Levin (MI) amendment No. 21.
Jan 10, 2020
DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 779, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Malinowski amendment No. 20, as modified.
Jan 10, 2020
DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 779, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Tlaib amendment No. 19.
Jan 10, 2020
The House resolved into Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union for further consideration.
Jan 10, 2020
Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H153-164)
Jan 10, 2020
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
Jan 10, 2020
On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 247 - 159 (Roll no. 13).
Jan 10, 2020
On motion to recommit with instructions Failed by recorded vote: 187 - 219 (Roll no. 12).
Jan 10, 2020
The previous question on the motion to recommit with instructions was ordered without objection.
Jan 10, 2020
Mrs. Rodgers (WA) moved to recommit with instructions to the Committee on Energy and Commerce. (text: CR H162)
Jan 10, 2020
DEBATE - The House proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Rodgers (WA) motion to recommit with instructions. The instructions contained in the motion seek to require the bill to be reported back to the House with an amendment including language "unborn child" to the testing procedure described in such national primary drinking water regulation by publishing the procedure or method in the Federal Register in accordance with section 1401 (1)(D).
Jan 9, 2020
POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - At the conclusion of debate on the Balderson amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment, and by voice vote announced that the noes had prevailed. Mr. Tonko demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the Balderson amendment until a time to be announced.
Jan 9, 2020
DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 779, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Balderson amendment No. 6.
Jan 9, 2020
DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 779, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Hudson amendment No. 5.
Jan 9, 2020
POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - At the conclusion of debate on the Burgess amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment, and by voice vote announced that the noes had prevailed. Mr. Burgess demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the Burgess amendment until a time to be announced.
Jan 9, 2020
DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 779, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Burgess amendment No. 2.
Jan 9, 2020
DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 779, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Woodall amendment No. 1.
Jan 9, 2020
DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 779, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Hudson amendment No. 4.
Jan 9, 2020
Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union rises leaving H.R. 535 as unfinished business.
Jan 9, 2020
On motion that the Committee rise Agreed to by voice vote.
Jan 9, 2020
Mr. Tonko moved that the Committee rise.
Jan 9, 2020
DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 779, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Axne amendment No. 18, as modified.
Jan 9, 2020
DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 779, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Golden amendment No. 17.
Jan 9, 2020
DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 779, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Brindisi amendment No. 16.
Jan 9, 2020
DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 779, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Brindisi amendment No. 15.
Jan 9, 2020
DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 779, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Plaskett amendment No. 14.
Jan 9, 2020
POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - At the conclusion of debate on the Pappas amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment, and by voice vote announced that the ayes had prevailed. Mr. Tonko demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the Pappas amendment until a time to be announced.
Jan 9, 2020
DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 779, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Pappas amendment No. 13.
Jan 9, 2020
DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 779, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Brown (MD) amendment No. 12.
Jan 9, 2020
DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 779, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Rice (NY) amendment No. 11.
Jan 9, 2020
DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 779, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Tonko amendment No. 10.
Jan 9, 2020
DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 779, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Kildee amendment No. 9
Jan 9, 2020
DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 779, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Pingree amendment No. 8.
Jan 9, 2020
DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 779, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Delgado amendment No. 7
Jan 9, 2020
GENERAL DEBATE - The Committee of the Whole proceeded with one hour of general debate on H.R. 535.
Jan 9, 2020
The Speaker designated the Honorable Daniel T. Kildee to act as Chairman of the Committee.
Jan 9, 2020
House resolved itself into the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union pursuant to H. Res. 779 and Rule XVIII.
Jan 9, 2020
Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 535 with 1 hour of general debate. Previous question shall be considered as ordered without intervening motions except motion to recommit with or without instructions. Measure will be considered read. Specified amendments are in order.
Jan 9, 2020
Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 779. (consideration: CR H116-142; text: CR H125-127)
Jan 8, 2020
Rule H. Res. 779 passed House.
Jan 7, 2020
Rules Committee Resolution H. Res. 779 Reported to House. Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 535 with 1 hour of general debate. Previous question shall be considered as ordered without intervening motions except motion to recommit with or without instructions. Measure will be considered read. Specified amendments are in order.
Jan 2, 2020
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Energy and Commerce. H. Rept. 116-364, Part I.
Jan 2, 2020
Committee on Transportation discharged.
Jan 2, 2020
Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 289.
 Votes taken on this bill 2
DateChamberWhat was voted onResultYes–No
Jan 10, 2020 House · vote #13 On Passage Passed 247–159 See who voted →
Jan 10, 2020 House · vote #12 On Motion to Recommit with Instructions Failed 187–219 See who voted →
 Amendments to this bill 21

19 agreed to 2 failed

AmendmentSponsorPurposeStatusLatest action
HAMDT 747 Slotkin, Elissa An amendment numbered 22 printed in Part B of House Report 116-366 to require the Administrator of the Enviro… Agreed to Jan 10, 2020
HAMDT 746 — An amendment numbered 21 printed in Part B of House Report 116-366 to require within 5 years a study of EPA a… Agreed to Jan 10, 2020
HAMDT 745 — An amendment numbered 20 printed in Part B of House Report 116-366 to add stain resistant, water resistant, a… Agreed to Jan 10, 2020
HAMDT 744 Tlaib, Rashida An amendment numbered 19 printed in Part B of House Report 116-366 to add the term "disproportionately expose… Agreed to Jan 10, 2020
HAMDT 738 Pappas, Chris Amendment requires the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to review and develop effluent st… Agreed to Jan 10, 2020
HAMDT 731 Balderson, Troy An amendment numbered 6 printed in Part B of House Report 116-366 to prevent implementation of the bill's pro… Failed Jan 10, 2020
HAMDT 728 — Amendment sought to remove the section of the bill that directs the EPA to designate PFAS as hazardous substa… Failed Jan 10, 2020
HAMDT 743 — An amendment numbered 18 printed in Part B of House Report 116-366 to authorize the PFAS Infrastructure Grant… Agreed to Jan 9, 2020
HAMDT 742 Golden, Jared F. An amendment numbered 17 printed in Part B of House Report 116-366 to direct the EPA Administrator, in consul… Agreed to Jan 9, 2020
HAMDT 741 — An amendment numbered 16 printed in Part B of House Report 116-366 to require the EPA Administrator to offer … Agreed to Jan 9, 2020
HAMDT 740 — An amendment numbered 15 printed in Part B of House Report 116-366 to require the EPA, within 180 days, to is… Agreed to Jan 9, 2020
HAMDT 739 Plaskett, Stacey E. An amendment numbered 14 printed in Part B of House Report 116-366 to make U.S. territories eligible for addi… Agreed to Jan 9, 2020
HAMDT 737 — An amendment numbered 12 printed in Part B of House Report 116-366 to require the Administrator of the Enviro… Agreed to Jan 9, 2020
HAMDT 736 — An amendment numbered 11 printed in Part B of House Report 116-366 to increase authorization of appropriation… Agreed to Jan 9, 2020
HAMDT 735 Tonko, Paul An amendment numbered 10 printed in Part B of House Report 116-366 to require the EPA to make the results of … Agreed to Jan 9, 2020
HAMDT 734 — An amendment numbered 9 printed in Part B of House Report 116-366 to authorize $1 million for fiscal year 202… Agreed to Jan 9, 2020
HAMDT 733 Pingree, Chellie An amendment numbered 8 printed in Part B of House Report 116-366 to expand EPA's Safer Choice Program to inc… Agreed to Jan 9, 2020
HAMDT 732 — An amendment numbered 7 printed in Part B of House Report 116-366 to make it unlawful for an industrial facil… Agreed to Jan 9, 2020
HAMDT 730 Hudson, Richard An amendment numbered 5 printed in Part B of House Report 116-366 to state that communities impacted by conta… Agreed to Jan 9, 2020
HAMDT 729 Hudson, Richard An amendment numbered 4 printed in Part B of House Report 116-366 to direct the EPA to investigate methods to… Agreed to Jan 9, 2020
HAMDT 727 — An amendment numbered 1 printed in Part B of House Report 116-366 to require the Administrator of the EPA to … Agreed to Jan 9, 2020
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 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

PFAS Action Act of 2019

This bill revises several environmental laws and requires the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to regulate perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances, commonly referred to as PFAS. These substances are man-made and may have adverse human health effects. A variety of products contain the compounds, such as nonstick cookware or weatherproof clothing.

(Sec. 2) The bill designates certain PFAS as hazardous substances, 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, individually or in groups.

The bill exempts public agencies or private owners of public airports that receive federal funding from liability for remediation of certain releases of PFAS into the environment resulting from the use of aqueous film forming foam.

(Sec. 3) The EPA must require that comprehensive toxicity testing be conducted on all PFAS. These rules shall require the development of information by any person who manufactures, processes, or intends to manufacture or process PFAS. The bill also provides guidelines for the development of these rules, including the methodologies and protocols to be used.

The bill revises when any PFAS may be exempt from testing or information submission and requires the EPA to publish a list of all exempt PFAS.

(Sec. 4) Currently, unless requirements for an exemption are met, persons planning to manufacture a chemical substance not listed on the EPA’s inventory list or manufacture or process a chemical substance for a significant new use must comply with certain notification requirements. The bill prohibits PFAS from being exempted from these requirements.

For five years, the EPA shall prohibit the manufacture, processing, and distribution of PFAS not listed on the EPA’s inventory list or the manufacture or processing of PFAS for a significant new use.

(Sec. 5) The bill requires the EPA to promulgate a national primary drinking water regulation for certain PFAS.

The EPA must publish a health advisory for PFAS not subject to a national primary drinking water regulation.

(Sec. 6) The bill prohibits the EPA from imposing financial penalties for the first five years for a violation of a national primary drinking water regulation with respect to PFAS.

(Sec. 7) The EPA must establish a grant program to assist community water systems with the costs associated with treating water contaminated by PFAS.

(Sec. 8) In relation to the regulation of toxic air pollutants, the EPA must (1) issue a final rule adding certain PFAS to the list of hazardous air pollutants, and (2) revise the list of air pollution sources within 365 days after issuing the rule to include categories and subcategories of major sources and area sources of PFAS. Within five years, the EPA must determine whether to issue a final rule adding the remaining PFAS to the list of hazardous air pollutants.

(Sec. 9) The EPA must regulate the disposal procedures for materials containing PFAS or aqueous film forming foam. For criminal penalty purposes, materials containing PFAS shall be considered hazardous waste.

(Sec. 10) The bill requires the EPA to (1) revise the Safer Choice Standard of the Safer Choice Program to identify the requirements that specified products (e.g., cooking utensils) must meet in order to be labeled with a Safer Choice label, including a requirement that any such product does not contain PFAS; or (2) establish a voluntary label available for use by any manufacturer of any specified product that the EPA has reviewed and found does not contain any PFAS. The Safer Choice Program helps consumers and businesses find products with safer chemical ingredients through Safer Choice labels.

(Sec. 11) The EPA must issue guidance on minimizing the use by first responders of firefighting foam and other related equipment containing any PFAS, without jeopardizing firefighting efforts.

(Sec. 12) The EPA must investigate methods to prevent contamination by specified PFAS of surface waters, including those used for drinking water.

(Sec. 13) The bill requires an owner or operator of an industrial source that introduces PFAS into treatment works (systems that treat municipal sewage or industrial wastes) to provide specified notices to such treatment works, including the identity and quantity of such PFAS.

(Sec. 14) The EPA must establish a website containing specified information relating to the testing of household well water, including a list of certified laboratories that analyze samples.

(Sec. 15) The EPA must develop a risk-communication strategy to inform the public about the hazards of PFAS.

(Sec. 16) The bill authorizes the drinking water state revolving fund program to provide assistance to the Virgin Islands, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, American Samoa, and Guam to address emerging contaminants, with a focus on PFAS.

(Sec. 17) Finally, based on results of biennial reviews related to the discharge of PFAS from point sources that are not publicly owned treatment works, the EPA shall, for certain measureable PFAS, add the PFAS to the list of toxic pollutants, or establish effluent limitations and pretreatment standards.

Within two years of the enactment of this bill, the EPA must publish human health water quality criteria for certain PFAS.

The EPA shall award grants to owners and operators of publicly owned treatment works to help implement the pretreatment standards for PFAS developed by the EPA.

What's happening now January 13, 2020

Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.

 Related & companion bills 17
  • S 638 Identical bill PFAS Action Act of 2019
  • HRES 779 Procedurally related Providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 535) to require the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency …
  • HR 2500 Related bill National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2020
  • HR 2533 Related bill PFAS Drinking Water Act
  • HR 2566 Related bill To require the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to revise the Safer Choice Standard to provide for …
  • HR 2596 Related bill Protecting Communities from New PFAS Act
  • HR 2605 Related bill PROTECT Act of 2019
  • HR 2626 Related bill PFAS Accountability Act of 2019
  • HR 2638 Related bill To direct the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to issue guidance on minimizing the use of firefight…
  • HR 5339 Related bill Freedom To Invest in Tomorrow's Workforce Act
  • HR 5539 Related bill Clean Water Standards for PFAS Act of 2020
  • HR 5540 Related bill PFAS Transparency Act
  • HR 5550 Related bill PFAS Safe Disposal Act
  • S 1372 Related bill PFAS Accountability Act of 2019
  • S 1790 Related bill National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2020
  • S 3227 Related bill Prevent Future American Sickness Act of 2020
  • HR 6053 Related bill Test Your Well Water Act
 Bill text 4 versions

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 5
 Cosponsors 43
All 43 Democratic 39 Republican 3
D
Stevens, Haley M.
Michigan · Dec 11, 2019
 D
Scott, Robert C. "Bobby"
Virginia · Nov 21, 2019
 D
Trahan, Lori
Massachusetts · Nov 8, 2019
 D
Watson Coleman, Bonnie
New Jersey · Oct 23, 2019
Kirkpatrick, Ann
· Oct 16, 2019
 D
Sánchez, Linda T.
California · Sep 25, 2019
 D
Himes, James A.
Connecticut · Aug 16, 2019
 D
McGovern, James P.
Massachusetts · Jul 18, 2019
 D
Larson, John B.
Connecticut · Jul 2, 2019
 D
Cisneros, Gilbert Ray
California · Jun 28, 2019
 D
Schakowsky, Janice D.
Illinois · Jun 26, 2019
 D
Bonamici, Suzanne
Oregon · Jun 19, 2019
 D
Moulton, Seth
Massachusetts · Jun 10, 2019
 D
Peters, Scott H.
California · May 28, 2019
 D
Chu, Judy
California · May 24, 2019
 R
Rouzer, David
North Carolina · May 15, 2019
 D
Scanlon, Mary Gay
Pennsylvania · May 9, 2019
 D
Golden, Jared F.
Maine · Apr 12, 2019
 D
Kim, Andy
New Jersey · Apr 12, 2019
 R
Fitzpatrick, Brian K.
Pennsylvania · Apr 8, 2019
 D
García, Jesús G. "Chuy"
Illinois · Apr 8, 2019
 D
Raskin, Jamie
Maryland · Apr 8, 2019
 D
Norton, Eleanor Holmes
District of Columbia · Apr 4, 2019
 D
Cohen, Steve
Tennessee · Apr 2, 2019
 D
Meng, Grace
New York · Apr 2, 2019
 D
Omar, Ilhan
Minnesota · Apr 2, 2019
 D
Soto, Darren
Florida · Apr 2, 2019
 D
Wasserman Schultz, Debbie
Florida · Apr 2, 2019
 D
Tlaib, Rashida
Michigan · Mar 28, 2019
 D
Welch, Peter
Vermont · Mar 26, 2019
 D
Boyle, Brendan F.
Pennsylvania · Mar 25, 2019
 D
Moore, Gwen
Wisconsin · Mar 25, 2019
 R
Hudson, Richard
North Carolina · Mar 18, 2019
 D
Neguse, Joe
Colorado · Mar 11, 2019
 D
Pingree, Chellie
Maine · Mar 6, 2019
 D
Luján, Ben Ray
New Mexico · Mar 5, 2019
 D
Lofgren, Zoe
California · Feb 6, 2019
 D
Dean, Madeleine
Pennsylvania · Jan 31, 2019
 D
Slotkin, Elissa
Michigan · Jan 28, 2019
 D
Pappas, Chris
New Hampshire · Jan 25, 2019
 D
Carbajal, Salud O.
California · Jan 24, 2019
 D
Pocan, Mark
Wisconsin · Jan 23, 2019
 D
Khanna, Ro
California · Jan 22, 2019
Cite this page click to expand
APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). H.R. 535: PFAS Action Act of 2019. 116th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/116-HR-535/
MLA
"H.R. 535: PFAS Action Act of 2019." 116th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/116-HR-535/.
Bluebook (legal)
H.R. 535, 116th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/116-HR-535/.
Markdown link
[H.R. 535: PFAS Action Act of 2019](https://openamerica.io/bill/116-HR-535/)
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