A Republican bill with 3 Democratic cosponsors · See all 4 cosponsors
Last activity — Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry. (Sponsor introductory remarks on measure: CR S8513)
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
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
The Relief for Farmers Hit with PFAS Act authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture to create a grant program for States, territories, and Indian Tribes. These grants are intended to address contamination by perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances, known as PFAS, on agricultural land or in water used for farming. Eligible governments can use these funds for monitoring health complications, buying or selling contaminated land, and investing in new equipment or infrastructure. The program also supports research into remediation, food safety, and the impact of contamination on agricultural communities. A portion of the funding is set aside for governments with populations under 3,000,000. The bill authorizes up to $500,000,000 for fiscal years 2026 through 2030.
Yes· 3 of 13
- Scored +8
Would farmers be better off under this?
The bill provides comprehensive financial, research, and operational support to help farmers manage PFAS contamination.
- Scored +7
Would business owners be better off under this?
The bill assists commercial farm owners with equipment, infrastructure, and business transition planning.
- Scored +7
Does this better protect air, water and wildlife?
The bill funds research into soil and water remediation and addresses the environmental impact of PFAS on agricultural land.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Health Monitoring: Grants can fund the monitoring of PFAS-related health complications, including blood serum testing, for people living or working on contaminated agricultural land (Section 4(a)(1)).
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Financial Relief for Farmers: The program allows for buying, selling, or providing compensation for contaminated land or farm products, as well as providing income replacement for people on contaminated commercial farms (Section s 4(a)(2) and 4(a)(5)).
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Support for Business Transitions: Funds can be used to help producers invest in equipment, infrastructure, or alternative production systems to maintain profitability after contamination is found (Section 4(a)(3)).
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Economic Planning Assistance: The bill provides for assistance in developing enterprise budgets for those looking to transition to alternative revenue streams or relocate their farming operations (Section 4(a)(4)).
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Research and Information: Funding supports research into soil and water remediation, food safety, and the impact of PFAS on agricultural communities (Section 4(a)(7), 4(a)(8), and 4(a)(9)).
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Community Protection: The program includes developing educational programs to inform residents about the potential risks of living near sites where sludge or septage was applied (Section 4(a)(10)).
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Marketing Support: It assists owners of commercial farms that were not directly affected by contamination but whose branding may be impacted by public perception (Section 4(a)(12)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Requirement for Application and Oversight: To receive funds, the department of agriculture or a similar agency of an eligible government must submit an application and a detailed spend plan to the Secretary (Section 3(c)).
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Reporting Burdens: Each year, the recipient of a grant must submit a report to the Secretary and Congress describing how the money was used and how it was administered (Section 5).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Tap or hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would farmers be better off under this? — The bill provides comprehensive financial, research, and operational support to help farmers manage PFAS contamination. Would business owners be better off under this? — The bill assists commercial farm owners with equipment, infrastructure, and business transition planning. Would Native Americans be better off under this? — The bill makes grants available to Indian Tribes to address PFAS contamination on their lands. Would people in rural areas be better off under this? — The bill includes educational programs to inform residents about potential risks from contaminated land and water. Would households on low incomes be better off under this? — The bill provides direct financial assistance and potential income replacement for those affected by contamination.
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Does this better protect air, water and wildlife? — The bill funds research into soil and water remediation and addresses the environmental impact of PFAS on agricultural land. Does this invest in rural communities? — The bill invests in agricultural infrastructure and equipment to help farmers adapt to PFAS contamination.
- Economy And Finance
- Does this make it easier to run a small business? — The bill provides financial assistance, equipment investment, and enterprise budgeting to help producers maintain profitability during contamination transitions. Is this likely to grow the economy? — The bill helps mitigate the economic impact of PFAS contamination on agricultural communities and supports transition to new revenue streams.
- Education And Technology
- Does this put more money into scientific research? — The bill authorizes up to $500 million to support research into PFAS remediation, food safety, and environmental impacts.
- Healthcare
- Does this make health care easier to get in general? — The bill authorizes funding for monitoring PFAS-related health complications through blood serum testing for affected individuals.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Is this likely to lift people out of poverty? — The bill provides income replacement and compensation for agricultural producers facing losses due to contamination.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see? — The bill requires annual reports to the Secretary and Congress regarding the use and administration of grant funds.
- 5/14/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 4/13/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 12/4/2025
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry. (Sponsor introductory remarks on measure: CR S8513)
- 2 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in Senate
One bill Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
Angus KingIndependent · Maine
Jeff MerkleyDemocrat · Oregon
Jeanne ShaheenDemocrat · New Hampshire
Elissa SlotkinDemocrat · Michigan