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H.R. 5539 116th Congress House

Clean Water Standards for PFAS Act of 2020

Official title: To require the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to review and develop effluent standards, pretreatment standards, and water quality criteri… Show full official titleShow less

Official title: To require the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to review and develop effluent standards, pretreatment standards, and water quality criteria for PFAS under the Federal Water Pollution Control Act, to provide Federal grants to publicly owned treatment works to implement standards, and for other purposes.

Introduced: January 3, 2020 Introduced by: Chris Pappas Democratic · New Hampshire See on congress.gov
Environmental Protection Administrative law and regulatory proceduresCongressional oversightEnvironmental Protection Agency (EPA)Environmental assessment, monitoring, research
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Environmental healthEnvironmental regulatory proceduresHazardous wastes and toxic substancesIndustrial facilitiesPollution liabilitySolid waste and recyclingWater qualityWater use and supply
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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 3 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Jan 6, 2020
Referred to the Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment.
Jan 3, 2020
Referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
Jan 3, 2020
Introduced in House
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 Latest action January 6, 2020

Referred to the Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment.

 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Clean Water Standards for PFAS Act of 2020

This bill directs the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to review certain point sources that discharge perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances, commonly referred to as PFAS. Based on this review, the EPA must establish effluent limitations and pretreatment standards, as well as publish water quality criteria, for certain PFAS. PFAS are man-made and may have adverse human health effects. A variety of products contain the compounds, such as nonstick cookware or weatherproof clothing.

The bill also directs the EPA to award grants to owners and operators of publicly owned treatment works to implement PFAS pretreatment standards.

 Related & companion bills 1
  • HR 535 PFAS Action Act of 2019
 Bill text 1 version

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 2
 Cosponsors 8
All 8 Democratic 4 Republican 1
D
Boyle, Brendan F.
Pennsylvania · Jan 3, 2020
DEFAZIO, PETER
· Jan 3, 2020
Delgado, Antonio
· Jan 3, 2020
 R
Fitzpatrick, Brian K.
Pennsylvania · Jan 3, 2020
Lawrence, Brenda
· Jan 3, 2020
 D
Lynch, Stephen F.
Massachusetts · Jan 3, 2020
 D
Neal, Richard E.
Massachusetts · Jan 3, 2020
 D
Slotkin, Elissa
Michigan · Jan 3, 2020
Cite this page click to expand
APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). H.R. 5539: Clean Water Standards for PFAS Act of 2020. 116th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/116-HR-5539/
MLA
"H.R. 5539: Clean Water Standards for PFAS Act of 2020." 116th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/116-HR-5539/.
Bluebook (legal)
H.R. 5539, 116th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/116-HR-5539/.
Markdown link
[H.R. 5539: Clean Water Standards for PFAS Act of 2020](https://openamerica.io/bill/116-HR-5539/)
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