S. 3353: Relief for Farmers Hit with PFAS Act

This bill, titled the Relief for Farmers Hit with PFAS Act, aims to provide financial support to state and local governments dealing with agricultural contamination caused by perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). PFAS are a group of chemicals often used in various industrial applications and have raised health concerns due to their persistence in the environment and potential health effects on humans.

Program Establishment

The bill mandates the Secretary of Agriculture to establish a program that allows grants to be provided to eligible governments, which can include states, territories, and Indian tribes. The primary goal is to address contamination of agricultural land and water by PFAS that is deemed unsafe by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

Eligibility for Grants

To qualify for the grants, a region must have agricultural land or water resources contaminated with PFAS. The Secretary of Agriculture, in coordination with the EPA, will determine the safety levels of soil and water.

Eligible governments must submit applications detailing how they plan to use the funds, focusing on strategies to mitigate PFAS contamination and assist affected farmers.

Grant Usage

The grants may be used for various purposes, including:

• Monitoring health complications related to PFAS
• Buying or compensating for contaminated agricultural land or products
• Investing in infrastructure to maintain agricultural profitability
• Developing budgets for transitioning to alternative farming systems
• Providing financial assistance to affected farm operators
• Conducting research on PFAS impact and mitigation strategies
• Implementing educational programs to inform farmers about PFAS risks

Financial Considerations

The bill also stipulates that at least 30% of the funding must be allocated to governments with smaller populations (under 3 million) to ensure equitable support across various regions.

A total of $500 million is authorized for appropriation from fiscal years 2026 to 2030 to fund these initiatives.

Monitoring and Reporting

Grant recipients must submit annual reports detailing how the funds were used and the ongoing needs identified within their jurisdictions. This is to ensure transparency and effectiveness in addressing PFAS contamination issues.

Task Force Creation

The Secretary is required to set up a task force within the Department of Agriculture to evaluate the integration of PFAS contamination management into existing agricultural programs, assess actions for farms already enrolled in those programs, and provide technical assistance to affected governments.

Long-term Strategy

Additionally, the program aims to develop long-term strategies for monitoring agricultural land contaminated by PFAS, building a centralized data repository for ongoing research and management, and addressing public concerns about the implications of PFAS for agricultural producers.

Relevant Companies

• DOW: The Dow Chemical Company, involved in the production of chemicals including PFAS, may be impacted due to increased regulatory scrutiny and potential litigation stemming from PFAS contamination.
• MMM: 3M Company, known for producing PFAS-containing products, could face financial implications as industries seek to hold them accountable for environmental damages related to PFAS.