MaineProposed fund would pay for PFAS investigations and well water help
The proposed amendment would provide $1 million starting in fiscal year 2026-27 for state work on PFAS contamination, including in private wells.
What it does
A proposed state fund could pay to investigate and address PFAS in soil and groundwater, including at private wells near a known or suspected source.
For most private wells, fund money for cleanup or testing costs would be limited to wells above 20 parts per trillion for six PFAS chemicals combined; extra money could support wells at lower levels.
The department would report on fund spending and PFAS findings every two years, starting in 2027.
Argument forThe fund could help communities find PFAS and give affected well users safer water through filters, local water connections, or temporary bottled water.
Argument againstWell owners near contamination traced to a household septic system may be left out of investigation and cleanup support, even if their water contains PFAS.
More detail
The Department of Environmental Protection may use the fund for PFAS investigations and cleanup. Work may address PFAS in soil and groundwater, including private drinking water wells. The department may investigate locations it finds have a high assurance of PFAS contamination linked to a known or suspected source. A homeowner's private septic system or other private household activity cannot be the identified source for an eligible investigation location.
The department may use fund money to reduce PFAS contamination and help provide safe drinking water. This limit applies to addressing identified PFAS contamination in private drinking water wells. For work to address PFAS in a private well, including paying or reimbursing testing costs, tests generally must show more than 20 parts per trillion for the combined amount of six named PFAS chemicals. If the department determines extra money is available, it may also support this work at wells with levels at or below 20 parts per trillion. The department may install and maintain filters, connect people to local water networks, provide bottled water temporarily, or take another appropriate action.
The department must report on the fund to the Legislature's environment committee. The report goes to the Legislature's committee responsible for environment and natural resources. The report must cover fund uses, proposed changes to limits on those uses, and PFAS found through fund activities. After reviewing the report, the committee may introduce related legislation. The first report is due January 15, 2027, and another is due every two years after that.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed 1st Chamber
- Became Law
- Died
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- Apr 29Died in Possession of the Senate when the Legislature adjourned Sine Die and was PLACED IN THE LEGISLATIVE FILES. (DEAD)Died
- Mar 17On motion by Senator ROTUNDO of Androscoggin PLACED ON THE SPECIAL APPROPRIATIONS TABLE pending ENACTMENT in concurrence.
- Mar 12Sent for concurrence. ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH.
- Vote recorded Enactment. Result: pass.Lower
- Mar 12(Yeas 104 - Nays 37 - Absent 8 - Excused 1 - Vacant 1)
- Mar 12ROLL CALL NO. 648
- Mar 12PASSED TO BE ENACTED.Became Law
- Mar 10Ordered sent down forthwith.
- Mar 10READ A SECOND TIME and PASSED TO BE ENGROSSED AS AMENDED BY Committee Amendment "A" (H-805), in concurrence.Minor
- Mar 10COMMITTEE ON BILLS IN THE SECOND READING REPORTS NO FURTHER VERBAL AMENDMENTS NECESSARY. REPORT ACCEPTED.
- Mar 5ASSIGNED FOR SECOND READING NEXT LEGISLATIVE DAY.
- Vote recorded ACCEPT MAJORITY OUGHT TO PASS AS AMENDED REPORT. Result: pass.Upper
- Mar 5Committee Amendment "A" (H-805) READ and ADOPTEDMinor
- Mar 5Bill READ ONCEMinor
- Mar 5Roll Call Ordered Roll Call Number 738 Yeas 22 - Nays 11 - Excused 2 - Absent 0
- Mar 5Senator TEPLER of Sagadahoc moved to ACCEPT The Majority Ought to Pass As Amended Report PREVAILED.
- Mar 5Taken from the table by the President
- Feb 26On motion by Senator PIERCE of Cumberland tabled until Later in Today's Session, pending ACCEPTANCE OF EITHER REPORT.
- Feb 26Reports READ.
- Feb 24Sent for concurrence. ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH.
- Feb 24The Bill was PASSED TO BE ENGROSSED as Amended by Committee Amendment "A" (H-805).Minor
- Feb 24Under suspension of the rules, the Bill was given its SECOND READING without REFERENCE to the Committee on Bills in the Second Reading.
- Feb 24Committee Amendment "A" (H-805) was READ and ADOPTED.Minor
- Feb 24The Bill was READ ONCE.Minor
- Feb 24On motion of Representative DOUDERA of Camden, the Majority Ought to Pass as Amended Report was ACCEPTED.
- Feb 24Reports READ.
- Feb 18Reported Out - OTP-AM/ONTP
- Feb 4Voted - Divided Report
- Feb 4Work Session Held
- Jan 7The Bill was REFERRED to the Committee on ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES in concurrenceMinor
- Jan 7Sent for concurrence. ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH.
- Jan 7The Bill was REFERRED to the Committee on ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES.Minor
- Jan 7Committee on Environment and Natural Resources suggested and ordered printed.Introduced
Environment & Energy