Bill > HB1275

This bill addresses the issue of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), a class of manufactured fluorinated chemicals, and their impact on agriculture in New Hampshire. The bill creates an Agricultural PFAS Relief Fund to assist farmers who have suffered losses or incurred costs due to PFAS contamination from standard agricultural practices, such as applying sludge or biosolids to farmland. The fund will be financed through litigation recoveries, settlements, gifts, grants, and federal reimbursements, and can be used for purposes like PFAS testing, water filtration systems, business adaptation costs, health testing, and remediation practices. The bill provides civil immunity to farmers for damages resulting from PFAS contamination and establishes a 5-year moratorium on spreading sludge or biosolids on agricultural land. Priority for fund distribution will be given based on the historical volume of sludge applied, current land use, and other criteria determined by the state's department of agriculture. Entities that have operated solid waste management facilities or held permits for sludge transportation or processing are ineligible for fund distribution. The bill defines PFAS and aims to help farmers mitigate the environmental and economic challenges posed by these persistent chemicals.

Agriculture and Natural Resources

https://gc.nh.gov/bill_Status/billinfo.aspx?id=2052&inflect=2