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AL HB541

Bill

Status

Introduced

4/8/2025

Primary Sponsor

Neil Rafferty

Click for details

Origin

House of Representatives

2025 Regular Session

AI Summary

  • Requires Alabama Department of Environmental Management to investigate complaints of PFAS ("forever chemicals") contamination in public water systems and identify potentially responsible persons.

  • Authorizes the department, public water systems, and Attorney General to bring civil actions against responsible persons to recover remediation costs, actual damages, and equitable relief when PFAS poses a public health risk or requires system modifications.

  • Establishes strict liability for persons found responsible for PFAS presence in public water systems or drinking water sources.

  • Exempts owners or operators of public water treatment plants, water distribution systems, wastewater treatment plants, or public wastewater collection systems from liability for PFAS discharges that comply with valid National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permits.

  • Makes technical revisions to the Safe Drinking Water Act of 1977 and becomes effective October 1, 2025.

Legislative Description

Safe Drinking Water Act; environmental management department required to investigate for PFAS; private right of action against responsible persons established

Consumer Protection

Last Action

Pending House State Government

4/8/2025

Committee Referrals

State Government4/8/2025

Full Bill Text

No bill text available