Bill > SB732

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 EPA health-based standards, or a level set by the Department of the Environment. To ensure compliance, permit holders must have an independent laboratory analyze a sample of the entire sewage sludge quantity to be land-applied, typically within 14 days before application, with some exceptions for direct hauling. The bill also 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. This legislation aims to protect agricultural lands and potentially human health by reducing the introduction of these potentially harmful chemicals through sewage sludge application. The bill is set to take effect on October 1, 2025, giving stakeholders time to prepare for the new requirements.