H.R. 8016 · Where this bill is now
In committee
Introduced in the House, sent to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committees on Oversight and Government Reform, Science, Space, and Technology, Transportation and Infrastructure, and Armed Services, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned, Mar 19, 2026
What this bill does
In plain words · AI-written from the official summaryPhases out forever chemicals from products
Ever heard of PFAS, sometimes called 'forever chemicals' because they don't break down in the environment. This bill would require companies to report how they use PFAS and eliminate nonessential uses within 10 years. The EPA would also set a 10-year deadline to reduce PFAS releases, ban certain PFAS-containing products from being sold, and stop the federal government from buying products made with these chemicals.
How it affects you
If you live near manufacturing facilities or contaminated water sources, you could see reduced exposure to PFAS over time as companies phase out nonessential uses. Manufacturers and businesses that use PFAS would face new reporting requirements and deadlines to change their practices. This primarily affects industrial companies, product makers, and people in areas with PFAS contamination.
Read the official summary (Introduced in House, Mar 19, 2026)
Forever Chemical Regulation and Accountability Act of 2026
This bill phases out the release and nonessential use of perfluoroalkyl or polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and addresses PFAS research, remediation, regulation, and enforcement.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) must require each manufacturer and user of PFAS to submit annual reports that include specified information about the essential (e.g., critical for health or safety reasons) and nonessential uses of PFAS by such entities. Not later than 10 years after the enactment of this bill, manufacturers and users must fully phase out nonessential uses of PFAS.
The bill also
• establishes specified deadlines to phase out the sale of certain products containing PFAS;
• requires federal agencies, to the maximum extent practicable, to eliminate the procurement of products known to contain PFAS;
• imposes a 10-year phaseout of the release of PFAS above a certain threshold of detection;
• provides enforcement authority to the EPA regarding violations of the requirements of the bill, including through civil and criminal penalties;
• allows citizen suits against manufacturers and users of PFAS and the EPA; and
• addresses actions under state law related to damages from exposure to hazardous substances, including with regard to statutes of repose.
The bill exempts from a bankruptcy petition’s automatic stay any proceeding against a non-debtor entity (e.g., a proceeding to obtain property from a non-debtor) with respect to a PBT claim (a claim relating to persistent, bioaccumulative, and toxic chemicals) against the non-debtor entity, the debtor, or the estate.
Written by AI (Claude) using only the official summary by the Congressional Research Service, the Library of Congress’s nonpartisan research staff. It can miss nuance, so check the official summary and the bill text for details.
2nd SessionH. R. 8016
A BILL
Forever Chemical Regulation and Accountability Act of 2026
Sponsor: Rep. Betty McCollum (D-MN-4) · Introduced Mar 19, 2026 · Environmental Protection · 1 version of the text
Sources: Congress.gov actions and votes · bill text from GovInfo · latest official action Mar 20, 2026: “Referred to the Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment.”
Sections
Title I — Phaseout of nonessential perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances and all releases · 15
- Sec. 101Agreement with the National Academies concerning the essential uses of perfluoroalkyl or polyfluoroalkyl substancesNo change
- Sec. 102Manufacturing and use phaseout programNo change
- Sec. 103United States perfluoroalkyl or polyfluoroalkyl substance policyNo change
- Sec. 104Perfluoroalkyl or polyfluoroalkyl substance release phaseoutNo change
- Sec. 105Use for researchNo change
- Sec. 106Inspections, monitoring, and entryNo change
- Sec. 107EnforcementNo change
- Sec. 108Citizen suitsNo change
- Sec. 109Imminent hazardNo change
- Sec. 110Application of Federal, State, and local law to Federal agenciesNo change
- Sec. 111Judicial reviewNo change
- Sec. 112Regulatory authorityNo change
- Sec. 113FundingNo change
- Sec. 114SeverabilityNo change
- Sec. 115Retention of State authorityNo change
Title II — Other matters with respect to perfluoroalkyl or polyfluoroalkyl substances · 3
- Sec. 201Centers of Excellence for Assessing Perfluoroalkyl and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances in Water Sources and Perfluoroalkyl and Polyfluoroalkyl Substance Remediation SolutionsNo change
- Sec. 202Actions under State law for damages from exposure to hazardous substancesNo change
- Sec. 203Bankruptcy provision relating to persistent, bioaccumulative, and toxic chemicals defendants and debtorsNo change