FloridaFlorida phases out most PFAS firefighting foam and requires wastewater testing
Florida law phases out most PFAS firefighting foam over three years and requires larger public wastewater operators to test and report on PFAS.
What it does
Florida law phases out most foam containing certain PFAS chemicals: nonemergency training and testing stop in 2026, sales stop in 2027, and most possession and use stop in 2029.
The state environmental department must set rules for containing and disposing of PFAS foam, list alternatives, and provide transition help; it may also offer grants or cost sharing to fire departments and airports.
Public wastewater operators with flows of at least 25,000 gallons per day must test biosolids and treated water for PFAS every quarter and report results; at first, those results cannot be used for enforcement or lawsuits.
Argument forFire departments and airports could get help finding and switching to foam without PFAS through state guidance, grants, or cost sharing.
Argument againstFoam holders may face added inventory reports and disposal plans, with daily penalties if violations continue.
More detail
Florida law restricts foam containing intentionally added PFAS chemicals. The foam contains intentionally added perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances, including PFOA and PFOS. The 2029 possession and use ban has exceptions for airports, military uses where alternatives do not exist, emergencies where alternative foam is unavailable, and certain submitted retrofit projects. Violations may bring civil penalties of up to $10,000 per violation for each day it continues, plus penalties for missed inventory reports or disposal plans. Starting July 1, 2026, the foam cannot be used for nonemergency instruction, training, or testing, and holders must report inventories. Starting July 1, 2027, sale, purchase, and distribution are prohibited, and holders of remaining foam must submit disposal plans. Starting July 1, 2029, possession and use are prohibited, subject to the exceptions.
The Department of Environmental Protection must set foam disposal rules, list alternatives, and provide transition help. The rules cover containing, collecting, and disposing of the foam; the alternatives must not contain PFAS. The department may also offer grants or cost sharing to local fire departments and airports moving to products without PFAS. The act takes effect July 1, 2026.
Covered public entities must test wastewater materials for PFAS and report the results to the state. The duty covers public entities that dispose of domestic wastewater biosolids and treated effluent and have a designed average daily flow of at least 25,000 gallons. Testing must follow department rules and cover biosolids and treated effluent, as applicable. Until federal water quality standards are set and adopted by the department, the test results are for information only and cannot support department enforcement or another legal claim. The act takes effect July 1, 2026. Testing and reporting are quarterly; the limit on using results lasts until federal water quality standards are established and adopted by the department.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed House
- Passed Senate
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- Jun 17Chapter No. 2026-158Latest
- Jun 16Approved by Governor Ron DeSantisBecame Law
- Jun 15Signed by Officers and presented to GovernorTo Governor
- Mar 12Ordered engrossed, then enrolledMinor
- Vote recorded Passage. Result: pass.Lower
- Mar 12CS passed as amended; YEAS 107, NAYS 0Major
- Mar 12Amendment 719556 Concur
- Mar 12Added to Senate Message List
- Mar 4In Messages
- Vote recorded Third Reading. Result: pass.Upper
- Mar 4CS passed as amended; YEAS 37 NAYS 0Passed Senate
- Mar 4Read 3rd timeMinor
- Mar 4Amendment(s) adopted (719556)
- Mar 4Read 2nd timeMinor
- Mar 4Substituted for CS/CS/SB 1230
- Mar 4Placed on Calendar, on 2nd reading
- Mar 4Withdrawn from RulesMajor
- Feb 26ReceivedMinor
- Feb 26Referred to RulesMinor
- Feb 25In Messages
- Vote recorded Cosponsorship, Third Reading. Result: pass.Lower
- Vote recorded Passage, Third Reading. Result: pass.Lower
- Feb 25CS passed; YEAS 113, NAYS 0Passed House
- Feb 25Read 3rd timeMinor
- Feb 25Added to Third Reading Calendar
- Feb 25Read 2nd timeMinor
- Feb 19Bill added to Special Order Calendar (2/25/2026)
- Feb 19Added to Second Reading Calendar
- Feb 19Bill referred to House Calendar
- Feb 181st Reading (Committee Substitute 2)Minor
- Feb 17CS FiledMinor
- Vote recorded Favorable With Committee Substitute (State Affairs Committee). Result: pass.Lower
- Feb 17Laid on Table under Rule 7.18(a)Minor
- Feb 17Reported out of State Affairs Committee
- Feb 17Favorable with CS by State Affairs CommitteeMinor
- Feb 13Added to State Affairs Committee agenda
- Feb 4Now in State Affairs Committee
- Vote recorded Favorable (Agriculture & Natural Resources Budget Subcommittee). Result: pass.Lower
- Feb 4Reported out of Agriculture & Natural Resources Budget Subcommittee
- Feb 4Favorable by Agriculture & Natural Resources Budget SubcommitteeMinor
- Feb 2Added to Agriculture & Natural Resources Budget Subcommittee agenda
- Jan 30Now in Agriculture & Natural Resources Budget Subcommittee
- Jan 30Referred to State Affairs CommitteeMinor
- Jan 30Referred to Agriculture & Natural Resources Budget SubcommitteeMinor
- Jan 291st Reading (Committee Substitute 1)Minor
- Jan 29CS FiledMinor
- Jan 29Laid on Table under Rule 7.18(a)Minor
- Jan 29Reported out of Natural Resources & Disasters Subcommittee
- Jan 28Favorable with CS by Natural Resources & Disasters SubcommitteeMinor
- Vote recorded Favorable With Committee Substitute (Natural Resources & Disasters Subcommittee). Result: pass.Lower
- Jan 26Added to Natural Resources & Disasters Subcommittee agenda
- Jan 131st Reading (Original Filed Version)Minor
- Jan 12Now in Natural Resources & Disasters Subcommittee
- Jan 12Referred to State Affairs CommitteeMinor
- Jan 12Referred to Agriculture & Natural Resources Budget SubcommitteeMinor
- Jan 12Referred to Natural Resources & Disasters SubcommitteeMinor
- Jan 5FiledIntroduced
Environment & EnergyPublic Safety