3E63AF3864038441872583E7007EE8C5 Hearing Summary

Senator Hisey, bill sponsor, presented House Bill 19-1279.  The bill creates the Firefighting Foams Control Act which prohibits the use of class B firefighting foam that contains intentionally added perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS foam) for training purposes.  A person or fire department that administers a training program that violates this prohibition is subject to a civil penalty of up to $5,000, for a first offense and up to $10,000 for each repeal offense.  Penalties are deposited into the Local Firefighter Safety and Disease Prevention Fund.  The Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) is required to survey fire departments every three years about issues related to PFAS foam and to compile and present the survey results to the General Assembly by January 1, 2020.  Beginning August 2, 2019, purchasers of firefighting personal protective equipment that contains intentionally added PFAS chemicals, must be notified in writing by the manufacturer or distributor about the chemical additive and the reason for the addition.  Beginning August 2, 2021, a manufacturer of Class B firefighting foam, may not sell or distribute Class B firefighting foam to which PFAS has been added, and must notify its distributors in writing about the prohibition no later than August 2, 2020.  The CDPHE may request a certificate of compliance from a manufacturer of Class B firefighting foam or protective equipment attesting that the manufacturer's products meet the requirements under the bill.  The same civil penalties noted above also apply to manufacturers.

Senator Hisey responded to questions.

Molly Miller, representing herself, testified in support of the bill.

Sharon Thompson, Fountain City Council, testified in support of the bill.

Jimmy Allen, Colorado Firefighters Association, testified in support of the bill.

The witness panel responded to questions.

Senator Hisey responded to questions.

Liz Rosenbaum, representing herself, testified in support of the bill.

Senator Lee made closing remarks.