A bill for an act prohibiting municipalities and fire departments from purchasing fire fighter equipment that does not contain a label regarding perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Cherielynn Westrich

Bill SF 254 mandates that municipalities and fire departments label firefighter equipment for PFAS, enhancing safety and informing firefighters about chemical hazards.

Subcommittee recommends passage.

#chemicals #citygovernment #firedepartments #labels #mandatesimposedonpoliticalsubdivisions #occupationalsafetyandhealth #purchasing

Summary of Bill SF 254

Title: A bill for an act prohibiting municipalities and fire departments from purchasing firefighter equipment that does not contain a label regarding perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances.

Bill Number: SF 254
Introduced: February 11, 2025
Status: Subcommittee recommends passage
Classification: Bill
Subject: Chemicals, city government, fire departments, labels, mandates imposed on political subdivisions, occupational safety and health, purchasing

Purpose and Intent

The primary purpose of Bill SF 254 is to enhance safety standards for firefighter equipment by requiring that all such equipment purchased by municipalities and fire departments includes a label indicating the presence of perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). These substances are known for their use in firefighting agents and have raised health and environmental concerns.

Key Provisions

Definition of Terms:

Firefighter Equipment: Includes clothing designed for structural firefighting, such as coats, trousers, helmets, gloves, and other protective gear.
Municipality: Defined as per section 100B.21.
PFAS: Refers to a class of fluorinated organic chemicals containing at least one fully fluorinated carbon atom.

Label Requirement:

Effective July 1, 2026, municipalities and fire departments are prohibited from purchasing firefighter equipment unless it has a permanently affixed label indicating whether it contains PFAS.

State Mandate:

The bill may impose a state mandate as defined in Code section 25B.3, and it specifies that Code section 25B.2, subsection 3, which typically allows political subdivisions to avoid compliance with state mandates if funding is not provided, will not apply to this act.

Impact

Who is Affected:

This legislation will directly impact municipalities and fire departments that purchase firefighter equipment. It aims to ensure that firefighters are informed about the potential chemical hazards associated with their gear, thereby promoting occupational safety and health.

Health and Environmental Considerations:

By mandating labeling for PFAS, the bill seeks to address growing concerns about the health risks associated with these substances, which have been linked to various health issues.

Procedural Aspects

Legislative Actions:

The bill was introduced and referred to the Local Government committee on February 11, 2025.
A subcommittee meeting was held on February 18, 2025, where members Westrich, Lofgren, and Wahls recommended the bill for passage.
The subcommittee meeting took place on February 19, 2025, at 1:30 PM in Room 315.

This summary provides an overview of Bill SF 254, highlighting its purpose, key provisions, and potential impact on firefighter safety and health.