This bill would ban the sale of products containing intentionally added PFAS chemicals starting in 2032, covering items like food packaging, cookware, cosmetics, and textiles used in homes. It requires manufacturers to submit detailed information about PFAS use in their products and allows the state to add more product categories to the ban through future rules. A complete ban on all intentionally added PFAS would take effect in 2038, except for uses deemed necessary for public safety or the environment. The law includes exemptions for medical devices, firefighting foam, and products governed by federal law, with a penalty of $100 per violating product per day for noncompliance.
SB 958 creates a dedicated "Water Fund for Our Future" with $250 million transferred from the general fund for state water infrastructure and emergency response. It establishes a rapid response account within the fund to cover costs for natural disasters and public health emergencies, including remediation, relocation, and assistance for affected individuals. A joint legislative committee oversees fund spending, ensuring money is only used for clean water activities and requiring written recommendations for funding requests. The fund also includes provisions for transferring unspent balances to the budget stabilization fund during fiscal shortages.
AB 790 creates a dedicated "Water Fund for Our Future" with an initial $250 million transfer from the general fund. The fund establishes a rapid response account to cover clean water-related costs during natural disasters or public health emergencies, including remediation and assistance for affected individuals. A new joint committee oversees fund spending, reviewing requests for funding (excluding non-clean-water uses) and recommending approvals to the finance committee. All funds must be used exclusively for clean water activities, with specific rules for disbursement and oversight.
AB 797 creates a $2.5 million grant program to help counties, cities, and towns test privately owned wells for water quality and map well locations. It provides up to $10,000 per grant for well testing, groundwater assessment, and geologic studies, plus separate grants for county health departments to offer well-testing education. The bill also requires municipalities with private wells to inform residents about testing importance and exempts the department from standard emergency rule procedures for implementing this program. The law appropriates funds for fiscal years 2025-26 and 2026-27 to support these concrete actions.
SB 128 establishes a Municipal PFAS Grant Program to help communities test for and address PFAS ("forever chemicals") in drinking water systems. It allows water utilities to use service funds to cover up to half the cost of source reduction measures (like filtration) if cheaper than endpoint treatment, and creates an exception for utilities acting quickly on unexpected PFAS contamination (without penalties if they notify regulators within 30 days and costs stay under $2 million). The bill prioritizes projects addressing serious health risks and extends grant eligibility to disadvantaged communities affected by water contamination, regardless of their existing service area status. It also creates a referral system connecting PFAS contamination claims to the existing Innocent Landowner Grant Program.
AB 635 requires the state environmental department to notify county health departments, tribal health departments, and county land conservation departments within 7 business days whenever groundwater protection standards or PFAS standards are exceeded. The bill creates a formal notification system to alert affected local governments and adjacent counties that might face negative impacts, with notices available for public review under state law. This law directly affects local health and land management agencies in counties where water contamination breaches are confirmed, ensuring timely public awareness of groundwater safety issues.
AB 129 requires all public and private schools to implement safe drinking water systems by developing management plans that specify locations for filtered bottle-filling stations (one per 100 occupants) and filtered faucets. The bill mandates regular testing for lead (max 5 ppb) and PFAS chemicals, with immediate action if contaminants exceed limits - including shutting off affected outlets and replacing filters. Schools must maintain these systems, conduct annual testing, and update plans every five years. The bill is currently pending in the Education Committee after introduction in March 2025.
SB 628 requires the state environmental department to notify county health departments, tribal health departments, and county land conservation departments within 7 business days whenever groundwater pollution levels exceed safety standards or PFAS chemical limits. It mandates that the department create a public notification system to alert affected local governments about these exceedances, including adjacent counties that might be impacted. The bill directly affects local health and environmental agencies in counties where pollution incidents occur, ensuring they receive timely information to address potential public health or environmental risks. This is a procedural requirement focused on transparency and rapid communication, not on changing pollution standards or enforcement actions.
AB 131 establishes a municipal grant program to test for PFAS (perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances) in public water systems and fund source reduction measures. It allows water utilities to use customer service fees to cover up to half the cost of PFAS source reduction for connected customers, if cheaper than facility upgrades. The bill also creates eligibility rules for disadvantaged communities extending service due to PFAS contamination and directs PFAS contamination claims to an existing landowner grant program. These provisions directly affect municipal water systems, public utilities, and communities addressing PFAS in drinking water.
