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IA SF254

IA SF254
A bill for an act prohibiting municipalities and fire departments from purchasing fire fighter equipment that does not contain a label regarding perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances.


summary

Introduced
02/11/2025
In Committee
02/11/2025
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead

Introduced Session

91st General Assembly

Bill Summary

This bill prohibits a municipality or fire department from purchasing fire fighter equipment unless the fire fighter equipment contains a permanently affixed label indicating whether the fire fighter equipment contains perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances. The bill may include a state mandate as defined in Code section 25B.3. The bill makes inapplicable Code section 25B.2, subsection 3, which would relieve a political subdivision from complying with a state mandate if funding for the cost of the state mandate is not provided or specified. Therefore, political subdivisions are required to comply with any state mandate included in the bill.

AI Summary

This bill requires municipalities and fire departments to ensure that any fire fighter equipment purchased on or after July 1, 2026, must have a permanently attached label disclosing whether the equipment contains perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), which are a class of fluorinated chemicals commonly used in fire fighting agents. The bill provides specific definitions for key terms, including "fire fighter equipment" (which covers a wide range of protective clothing and gear like coats, trousers, helmets, gloves, and footwear) and "municipality" (as previously defined in another section of Iowa law). An important additional provision nullifies a typical state mandate exemption, meaning that local governments must comply with this requirement even if additional state funding is not provided. By mandating PFAS labeling, the bill appears aimed at increasing transparency about potentially hazardous chemicals in fire fighter protective gear, allowing fire departments and workers to make more informed purchasing and safety decisions.

Committee Categories

Government Affairs

Sponsors (1)

Last Action

Subcommittee recommends passage. (on 02/19/2025)

bill text


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