Controversial, manufacturer-friendly PFAS language could be resurrected

By Casey Smith | Indiana Capital Chronicle | March 6, 2024

Read the full article by Casey Smith (Indiana Capital Chronicle)

"Republican House lawmakers are trying to resurrect controversial bill language that would change the definition of toxic PFAS chemicals to exempt those that Hoosier manufacturers want to keep using.

House Bill 1399 cleared the House chamber last month in a 64-30 party-line vote but was subsequently abandoned by the Senate Environmental Affairs Committee over concerns that it was too “proactive.”

But the same PFAS provisions came back in a 90-second Wednesday morning conference committee, where GOP House lawmakers said they want to amend the language into House Bill 1329, originally a bill to block local health departments from requiring inspections of residential septic systems upon the sale of the property.

Rep. Jim Pressel, R-Rolling Prairie, who authored House Bill 1329, gave few details on the move."