Summary — HJ 37: Request interim study of perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS)
Status: Died in Standing Committee (House)
Introduced: January 6, 2025
Primary sponsor: Rep. Ed Stafman
Bill type: Joint resolution (interim study request)
Subjects: Health care services, Legislature, Interim studies, Professions and occupations, Social services
Purpose / intent
HJ 37 is a joint resolution requesting that the Legislative Assembly conduct an interim study on perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (commonly called PFAS). The resolution’s intent is to gather information and develop recommendations for the Legislature about public-health, environmental, occupational, regulatory, and social-service issues associated with PFAS exposure and contamination.
Key provisions (as indicated by title/format)
- Requests an interim legislative study (i.e., research and hearings conducted between regular sessions) focused on PFAS.
- Directs the study to review topics relevant to PFAS impacts and policy responses. While the bill text is not provided here, such studies typically examine:
- Human health effects and exposure pathways (drinking water, food, air, consumer products).
- Environmental contamination and cleanup/remediation options.
- Existing state and federal regulatory frameworks and gaps.
- Occupational exposures and protections for workers and professions.
- Impacts on vulnerable populations and social-service needs.
- Testing capacity, monitoring programs, and agency responsibilities.
- Potential fiscal impacts and options for funding remediation or health services.
- Anticipated product: findings and recommendations to inform future legislation or executive action (nonbinding).
Note: HJ 37 itself does not create regulatory requirements, taxes, or programmatic spending — it seeks to generate information to guide future policymaking.
Who would be affected
- State legislators and legislative committees (which would organize and receive the study).
- State agencies likely asked to participate (e.g., departments of health, environmental quality, labor, and social services).
- Local public health authorities and municipal water utilities.
- Health care providers, occupational health professionals, and regulated professions involved with remediation, testing, or care.
- Industries and businesses that manufacture, use, or dispose of PFAS-containing products.
- Communities near contaminated sites and individuals receiving social or health services due to PFAS exposure.
Procedural / timeline notes
- Legislative activity: Drafting and committee activity occurred March–April 2025, including multiple hearings in the House Business and Labor Committee. The bill was tabled in committee on April 9, 2025, and ultimately died in the standing committee on May 20, 2025.
- Related bill: LC 4255 is listed as a related/replacing filing.
- Because the resolution died in committee, no interim study under HJ 37 was authorized and no official findings or recommendations were produced under this measure.
Practical effect / significance
If enacted, the resolution would have helped clarify the scope of PFAS problems in-state, identify gaps in regulation and services, and provide legislative options for remediation, public health response, professional standards, and funding. As drafted, it would have been preparatory — producing information rather than imposing immediate policy changes. Since it died in committee, those functions were not advanced by this measure.
