WeVote
Log In

Bill

YA

Bill

HR 6990

PROTECT Act of 2026

119th Congress Introduced by Yassamin Ansari and 8 co-sponsors

The bill requires the EPA to add PFAS with at least one fully fluorinated carbon to the hazardous air pollutants list within 180 days, and to create emission source categories with

Introduced in House
0
WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · HR 6990

Overview

  • Bill: HR 6990, the PROTECT Act of 2026 (Prevent Release Of Toxic Emissions, Contamination, and Transfer Act of 2026)
  • Purpose: Direct the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to add all perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) that have at least one fully fluorinated carbon atom to the list of hazardous air pollutants (HAPs) under the Clean Air Act (CAA).
  • Introduced: January 8, 2026, in the U.S. House of Representatives.
  • Primary sponsors: Rep. Stevens (and several cosponsors, including Rep. Dingell, Rep. Fitzpatrick, Rep. Tlaib, Rep. Lawler, Rep. Scholten, Rep. Kiggans, plus others listed as cosponsors).

Main purpose and intent

  • The bill aims to tighten regulation of PFAS by treating a broad class of PFAS as hazardous air pollutants.
  • By placing PFAS with at least one fully fluorinated carbon atom onto the federal HAP list, the EPA would be required to regulate their emissions from major and area sources, with the goal of reducing atmospheric releases and associated health and environmental risks.

Key provisions and changes

  • Section 2(a) Listing of HAPs:
    • Requirement: Within 180 days of enactment, the EPA must issue a final rule adding the entire class of PFAS with at least one fully fluorinated carbon atom to the list of HAPs under CAA section 112(b).
  • Section 2(b) Source categorization:
    • Within 365 days after the final rule, the EPA must revise the CAA list (section 112(c)(1)) to include specific categories and subcategories of major sources and area sources that emit PFAS identified under the final rule.
  • Overall effect:
    • Elevates PFAS to mandatory air pollutant status and compels the EPA to identify emission sources and establish regulatory categories for control and compliance.

Who/what is affected

  • Regulatory scope covers:
    • PFAS compounds meeting the criterion of at least one fully fluorinated carbon atom.
    • Major sources and area sources that emit PFAS, as defined and categorized by the EPA under the revised 112(c)(1) list.
  • Stakeholders likely affected:
    • industries and facilities that produce, use, or emit PFAS (e.g., chemical manufacturers, manufacturing plants, waste treatment facilities, firefighting foam users, and other incumbents in PFAS-related operations).
    • state, local, and tribal environmental agencies coordinating with the EPA on compliance and enforcement.
    • communities potentially exposed to PFAS emissions.

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • Enactment requirement:
    • A final rule adding the PFAS class to HAPs must be issued within 180 days of enactment.
  • Follow-on rulemaking:
    • Within 365 days after the final rule, the EPA must modify the source-listing framework (112(c)(1)) to create categories and subcategories for major and area sources of PFAS.
  • Compliance and implementation:
    • The timelines set specific, tight deadlines for regulatory action, signaling a prompt move toward control measures and emissions reduction for PFAS.

Potential impact and considerations

  • Environmental and public health:
    • Potentially significant reductions in airborne PFAS emissions if emissions standards, controls, and monitoring are established and enforced.
  • Regulatory burden:
    • Increased regulatory requirements for facilities handling PFAS, including permitting, monitoring, reporting, and possible installation of control technologies.
  • Economic considerations:
    • Costs to industries for compliance and potential technology investments, balanced against health and environmental benefits from reduced exposure.

If you’d like, I can add a brief comparison to existing PFAS regulatory actions or outline possible enforcement and compliance challenges under the proposed framework.

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

Sign in to ask a question.