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LD 222

An Act To Establish A Take-Back And Disposal Program For Firefighting And Fire-Suppressing Foam To Which Perfluoroalkyl And Polyfluoroalkyl Substances Have Been Added

132nd Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Dan Ankeles and 8 co-sponsors

Maine DEP must establish a statewide PFAS-containing firefighting foam Take-Back/Disposal program, funded as resources allow, with rollout by July 1, 2027 to curb PFAS exposure.

Became Law without Governor's Signature
#aqueousfilm-formingfoam #management #solidwastes
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Bill Summary · LD 222

Summary — LD 222

Title: An Act To Establish A Take-Back And Disposal Program for Firefighting and Fire‑Suppressing Foam To Which Perfluoroalkyl And Polyfluoroalkyl Substances Have Been Added

Purpose

LD 222 directs the Maine Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to create and run a statewide take‑back and disposal program for firefighting and fire‑suppressing foam (commonly aqueous film‑forming foam, AFFF) that contains perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). The intent is to collect and properly dispose of PFAS‑containing foams to reduce environmental contamination and human exposure.

Key provisions

  • Requires DEP to design and implement a take‑back and disposal program for PFAS‑containing firefighting/suppressing foam located in Maine.
  • Establishes a target implementation deadline of July 1, 2027.
  • DEP is expected to use contracted disposal services to carry out collection and disposal.
  • Provides for DEP to accept consultation from the Department of Public Safety (costs for consultation expected to be minor).

Funding and fiscal impact

  • Original bill (and Committee Amendment) included a one‑time General Fund appropriation of $5,000,000 in FY 2025‑26. That amount was based on an estimate of ~50,000 gallons of PFAS‑containing foam at $100 per gallon for disposal (50,000 × $100 = $5,000,000). Any unspent balance at the end of FY 2025‑26 would carry forward to FY 2026‑27 for the same purpose.
  • A subsequent Senate amendment removed the $5,000,000 General Fund appropriation, instead creating a baseline Other Special Revenue account with a $500 allocation to allow acceptance of outside funding and specifying that the program may only be established if sufficient resources become available. Under that amendment, the General Fund net cost becomes ($5,000,000) for FY 2025‑26 (i.e., appropriation removed).
  • Additional DEP and DPS operating costs are expected to be covered within existing budgets or by contract funds if provided.

Who is affected

  • Owners/holders of PFAS‑containing firefighting foam (municipal, industrial, airport, and other users).
  • DEP (responsible for program design/implementation), contracted disposal vendors, and potentially the Department of Public Safety for coordination.
  • Environmental/public health stakeholders benefit from reduced PFAS release.

Timeline & legislative status

  • Introduced: January 16, 2025.
  • Committee and Senate amendments adopted; bill passed both chambers (as amended).
  • Program implementation required by July 1, 2027 (if resources available under the final amendment).
  • Status (as of July 8, 2025): Held by the Governor.

Note: The bill’s final funding condition depends on the adopted amendments — the legislature considered both a funded version ($5M GF) and an amended version making implementation contingent on available funding and establishing a $500 special revenue account.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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