Evaluating the use of PFAS chemicals in agriculture.

HB 2279 requires Washington's Department of Agriculture to evaluate the use of PFAS chemicals (known as "forever chemicals") in agricultural fertilizers and pesticides. By December 2026, the department must establish criteria to assess these chemicals, and starting in December 2027, it will review new fertilizer and pesticide registrations against these standards. Products containing PFAS that fail to meet the criteria may be refused or canceled for registration. This directly affects fertilizer and pesticide manufacturers, as well as farmers who rely on these agricultural products. The bill does not ban PFAS outright but creates a new review process for future product registrations.