Bill Text: MI HR0161 | 2019-2020 | 100th Legislature | Introduced
Bill Title: A resolution to memorialize the United States Environmental Protection Agency and Department of Defense to increase federal action to address PFAS contamination.
Spectrum: Strong Partisan Bill (Democrat 33-2)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2019-09-12 - Referred To Committee On Natural Resources And Outdoor Recreation [HR0161 Detail]
Download: Michigan-2019-HR0161-Introduced.html
house resolution no.161
Reps. Haadsma, Garza, Coleman, Whitsett, Witwer, Sowerby, Shannon, Rabhi, Cynthia Johnson, Tate, Gay-Dagnogo, Ellison, Camilleri, Pohutsky, Warren, Sabo, Brixie, Kuppa, Hoadley, Love, Hope, Peterson, Elder, Cherry, Greig, Koleszar, VanSingel, Lasinski, Pagan, Brann, Clemente, Wittenberg and Manoogian offered the following resolution:
A resolution to memorialize the United States Environmental Protection Agency and Department of Defense to increase federal action to address PFAS contamination.
Whereas, Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a large group of man-made chemicals with numerous household and industrial uses. PFAS have been shown to have a variety of health effects, including increasing the risk of developing cancer, thyroid disease, high blood pressure during pregnancy, and cholesterol. Their ubiquity in the environment, especially groundwater, and resistance to breakdown pose significant challenges to clean-up efforts. New toxicological research raises concerns about the adequacy of existing drinking water standards to protect the public from PFAS; and
Whereas, Water testing mandated by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has revealed high levels of PFAS contamination across the Great Lakes region, impacting more than 16.5 million Americans. The United States Department of Defense (DOD) has identified more than 400 current and former military bases with known or suspected PFAS release. To date, the state of Michigan has identified 63 sites contaminated with high levels of PFAS, including 10 sites at or near military bases; and
Whereas, The state of Michigan has been a national leader in addressing PFAS contamination but relies on the coordination, leadership, and financial support of the federal government to surmount this complex challenge; and
Whereas, It is essential that federal agencies establish and implement PFAS response strategies in a timely manner to protect the health of all Americans. The EPA has indicated that it is moving forward with a PFAS Action Plan but uncertainty remains regarding its implementation timeline. Despite military bases being a substantial source of PFAS contamination, the DOD has failed to take action to address the issue. The DOD has established a PFAS Task Force, but its recommendations will only be the first step in addressing PFAS contamination on military bases and their surrounding communities; now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the House of Representatives, That we memorialize the United States Environmental Protection Agency and Department of Defense to increase federal action to address PFAS contamination; and be it further
Resolved, That copies of this resolution be transmitted to the Administrator of the United States Environmental Protection Agency and the United States Secretary of Defense.
