WeVote
Log In

Bill

Bill

HB 938

Publicly owned treatment works; monitoring of PFAS.

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Bonita Anthony and 9 co-sponsors

Virginia bill requiring PFAS manufacturers to self-report operations and water utilities to report PFAS detection, establishing state tracking of persistent water contaminants.

Approved by Governor-Chapter 709 (effective 7/1/2026)
0
WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · HB 938

Legislative bill overview

HB 938 requires manufacturers and users of PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) to self-report their activities to Virginia authorities, and mandates that publicly owned treatment works (municipal water systems) submit reports on PFAS detection and management. The bill creates a state-level tracking and transparency mechanism for these persistent chemicals commonly found in water supplies and industrial products.

Why is this important

PFAS contamination is a growing public health concern—these "forever chemicals" don't break down naturally and accumulate in drinking water, soil, and human blood. Virginia's monitoring and reporting requirements would provide data to identify contamination hotspots, support regulatory decisions, and help municipalities prepare treatment strategies. This addresses a gap where many communities lack comprehensive information about PFAS in their water systems.

Potential points of contention

  • Compliance burden: Self-reporting requirements on manufacturers may face industry opposition regarding costs and competitive sensitivity of disclosing chemical use data
  • Treatment infrastructure costs: Publicly owned treatment works may argue that PFAS detection and removal requires significant capital investment not yet funded by the state
  • Scope and enforceability: Unclear penalties for non-reporting or inaccurate self-reports could limit the effectiveness of the transparency mechanism

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

Sign in to ask a question.