A Democratic bill with 3 Republican cosponsors · See all 23 cosponsors
Last activity — Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
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 "PFAS Alternatives Act" aims to create next-generation protection for firefighters by accelerating the development of turnout gear that does not use PFAS. The Secretary of Health and Human Services will award grants to eligible entities for the research, development, and testing of these PFAS-free materials. The bill also provides for grants and contracts to develop training and guidance on the safe use and care of this new gear. Funding is authorized for research from 2027 through 2031 and for training from 2028 through 2032. Finally, the Secretary must report the progress of these goals to Congress within two years.
Yes· 3 of 10
- Scored +8
Does this put more money into scientific research?
Specifically authorizes millions in funding for research into next-generation PFAS-free materials.
- Scored +7
Does this put more money into medical research?
Provides significant funding for research into PFAS-free materials to reduce occupational illness.
- Scored +6
Does this better protect air, water and wildlife?
The bill promotes the elimination of harmful PFAS chemicals from firefighting equipment.
The opposite
- Scored -2
Does this reduce what the federal government spends?
The bill increases government spending by authorizing grants and contracts for research and training.
- Scored -1
Does this reduce what the federal government owes?
The bill authorizes new federal spending of millions of dollars over several years.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Reduced Occupational Illness: The bill supports research and testing of materials likely to prevent occupational illness and injury for firefighters, including better protection against combustion byproducts and particulates (Section 2(b)(3)).
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Healthier Equipment: The act drives the development of PFAS-free turnout gear, removing these specific substances from protective clothing (Section 2(b)(2)(A)).
-
Improved Gear Maintenance: The bill encourages innovations that make gear easier to clean, provide contamination resistance, or include warning indicators for hazardous exposures (Section 2(b)(3)(B)).
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Inclusive Design: The Secretary may consider body composition when developing prototypes and products, ensuring gear works for different people (Section 2(b)(3)(C)).
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Better Training: Firefighters and first responders will receive guidance and training on best practices for wearing, cleaning, and caring for new turnout gear to reduce harmful exposures (Section 2(c)(1)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- No negative impacts for individuals or groups are explicitly mentioned in the provided text.
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 business owners be better off under this? — Potential for companies developing these new materials to secure government grants and contracts. Would women be better off under this? — Specifically encourages gear design that considers different body compositions.
- Education And Technology
- Does this put more money into scientific research? — Specifically authorizes millions in funding for research into next-generation PFAS-free materials.
- Healthcare
- Does this put more money into medical research? — Provides significant funding for research into PFAS-free materials to reduce occupational illness.
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Does this better protect air, water and wildlife? — The bill promotes the elimination of harmful PFAS chemicals from firefighting equipment.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see? — Requires the Secretary to report progress to Congress within two years. Does this give the federal government more power? — Grants federal agency authority to determine eligible entities and award research grants.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Does this narrow the gap between how men and women are treated? — The bill explicitly directs the Secretary to consider body composition when developing prototypes, which benefits a diverse range of body types including women.
- Economy And Finance
- Is this likely to create jobs? — Funding for research and development of new materials may create specialized jobs in the textile and safety equipment industries. Is this likely to grow the economy? — Investment in next-generation protective materials stimulates innovation in the safety equipment market. Does this reduce what the federal government spends? — The bill increases government spending by authorizing grants and contracts for research and training. Does this reduce what the federal government owes? — The bill authorizes new federal spending of millions of dollars over several years.
- 9/30/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 9/14/2026
- 3 Cosponsors added.
- 8/4/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 7/27/2026
- 2 Cosponsors added.
- 7/13/2026
- 2 Cosponsors added.
- 6/18/2026
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
- 14 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.
Angela AlsobrooksDemocrat · Maryland
Michael BennetDemocrat · Colorado
Richard BlumenthalDemocrat · Connecticut
John CurtisRepublican · Utah
Richard DurbinDemocrat · Illinois
Deb FischerRepublican · Nebraska
Kirsten GillibrandDemocrat · New York
Ruben GallegoDemocrat · Arizona
John HickenlooperDemocrat · Colorado
Timothy KaineDemocrat · Virginia
Andy KimDemocrat · New Jersey
Edward MarkeyDemocrat · Massachusetts
Lisa MurkowskiRepublican · Alaska
Jeff MerkleyDemocrat · Oregon
Gary PetersDemocrat · Michigan
John ReedDemocrat · Rhode Island
Adam SchiffDemocrat · California
Brian SchatzDemocrat · Hawaii
Elissa SlotkinDemocrat · Michigan
Chris Van HollenDemocrat · Maryland
Ron WydenDemocrat · Oregon
Peter WelchDemocrat · Vermont
Elizabeth WarrenDemocrat · Massachusetts