Bill > HB909

This bill establishes new regulations for sewage sludge utilization permits, specifically focusing on limiting the concentration of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), particularly perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), when sewage sludge is applied to agricultural land. The bill requires that permits limit these substances to the lowest of three standards: 1 microgram per kilogram, the level established in U.S. Environmental Protection Agency health-based standards, or a level set by the Department of the Environment. To ensure compliance, the bill mandates that an independent laboratory analyze a sample of the entire quantity of sewage sludge to be land-applied, with testing conducted no more than 14 days before application (with some exceptions for direct hauling). Additionally, the bill grants the Department of the Environment the authority to establish even more stringent concentration limits for PFOS, PFOA, and other per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances through future regulations. The new requirements will take effect on October 1, 2025, providing time for sewage sludge generators and users to adjust to the new standards.