form National Law review July 24

New Hampshire Adopts Aggressive PFAS Drinking Water Bill

Friday, July 24, 2020

On July 23, 2020, Governor Sununu of New Hampshire signed into law a bill that sets maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) for four types of perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in drinking water. The bill also sets aside $50 million in state funds for cleanup of sites contaminated by PFAS. The New Hampshire law is a significant development, as it sets MCLs that are stricter than both the EPA’s health advisory levels and also many other state regulations for the same chemicals. Many states, like New Hampshire, have begun regulating PFAS on their own under pressure to do so from both its citizens and media, as the EPA continues its lengthy review process before setting MCLs of its own.

Addedn Comments State Representative Bruce Cohen

We have found some PFAS contaminants in our Nashua drinking water. This bill HB1264 assures that any levels will be contained.

All 4 bills included within HB1264 were sponsored and cosponsored entirely by Democrats who then advocated for, and did the work to move them forward. Ultimately, when it came to a VOTE, HB1264 was not supported by the Republican caucus in the House, but did receive the support of all but one Republican Senator prior to reaching the Governor’s desk for signature.

The following is the roll call data that makes it clear, who voted to “make sure drinking water is safe.”Breakdown of “YES”Votes to PASS/support HB 1264:

HB1264/ 326 total members voted/ passed (210 yea) to (116 nay) in the House.
HOUSE “YES” Breakdown by Caucus/ of the (210) total: YES (192 Democrats) only (18 Republicans)