CONGRESS FOR VOTERS

Marie Perez (D-WA)

Water Systems PFAS Liability Protection Act

H.R. 1267 · House bill Environmental Protection

A Democratic bill with 19 Republican cosponsors · See all 34 cosponsors

Last activity — Referred to the Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment.

In committee

Introduced and handed to a committee in the chamber it started in.

The committee holds it, and most bills are never heard from again. A hearing or a committee vote would be news; silence is the usual outcome, and it kills the bill without anyone voting against it.

Its path through Congress

  1. Introduced
  2. In Committee

What this bill would do

This bill, known as the "Water Systems PFAS Liability Protection Act," aims to exempt specific entities from liability under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980. The exemption specifically concerns costs or damages related to the release of certain perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) into the environment. Protected entities include public water systems, treatment works, certain municipalities, and political subdivisions or special districts acting as wholesale water agencies. This exemption also extends to contractors performing management or disposal activities for these entities. To qualify, the entities must handle these substances in a manner consistent with all applicable laws. The bill includes a savings provision that maintains liability if the entity acts with gross negligence or willful misconduct.

Yes

  • Scored +5

    Does this make it easier to run a small business?

    The bill provides liability protection for municipal water agencies and their contractors, which can reduce operational risks and legal costs for those entities.

The opposite· 3 of 7

  • Scored -6

    Does this better protect air, water and wildlife?

    The bill limits the ability of states and tribes to recover costs for environmental damages caused by the release of PFAS substances.

  • Scored -5

    Would Native Americans be better off under this?

    The bill explicitly prevents Indian Tribes from recovering costs or damages from protected entities for PFAS releases.

  • Scored -3

    Would households on low incomes be better off under this?

    Restricting cost recovery for water contamination may lead to long-term public health and water quality risks for low-income communities.