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Alaska2026Passed Legislature

HB235

Alaska Bill on PFAS Water Testing and Cleanup Rules

Last scannedSep 10, 2026, 12:32 AM

In one sentence

This bill requires the state to test public drinking water for specific chemicals called PFAS, sets limits for safe levels, assigns costs for cleanup based on who caused a spill or made the product, and creates rules for burning contaminated soil.

What it does

  • Requires the department to test all public drinking water systems in Alaska at least once every year for perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and polyfluoroalkyl substances.
  • Orders testing of a specific water supply if PFAS are released near it, and provides free alternative drinking water if levels exceed legal limits.
  • Makes the person who caused a chemical spill pay for cleanup and water costs only if they failed to follow laws or manufacturer instructions.
  • Shifts payment responsibility to product manufacturers if the user followed all rules but contamination still occurred.
  • Requires facilities that use heat to clean contaminated soil to get a permit proving they will not release harmful air compounds with carbon-fluorine bonds.

Who it affects

  • Public water systems and residents who drink from them in Alaska
  • People or companies responsible for releasing PFAS chemicals into the environment
  • Manufacturers of products containing PFAS substances
  • Facilities that use heat to clean up contaminated soil

Limits and unknowns

  • The bill does not list specific dollar amounts for fines or cleanup costs.
  • Some safety limits depend on future rules that the department must write, which may change over time.
  • The law takes effect January 1, 2027, except for liability rules which take effect immediately.

Plain language

Terms to know

PFAS (Perfluoroalkyl and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances)
A group of man-made chemicals including perfluorooctanoic acid, perfluorooctanesulfonic acid, and others listed in the law.
Thermal Remediation
Using heat to break down or remove contamination from soil or water.
Hazard Index
A number calculated by adding up the levels of different PFAS chemicals in a mixture to check if they are safe together.

Official record

Sources

Validated
Official bill pageIntroduced textCurrent bill text

Official summary

PFAS USE & REMEDIATION, WATER TESTING An Act relating to perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances; relating to thermal remediation of perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substance contamination; and providing for an effective date.

Official activity

Bill history

  1. (H) Heard & HeldText
  2. (H) STATE AFFAIRS at 03:15 PM GRUENBERG 120Text
  3. (H) Scheduled but Not HeardText
  4. (H) STATE AFFAIRS at 03:15 PM GRUENBERG 120Text
  5. (H) <Bill Hearing Canceled> -- MEETING CANCELED --Text
  6. (H) STATE AFFAIRS at 03:15 PM GRUENBERG 120Text
  7. (H) Scheduled but Not Heard -- Delayed to 3:45 pm --Text
  8. (H) STATE AFFAIRS at 03:15 PM GRUENBERG 120Text
  9. (H) Heard & HeldText
  10. (H) STATE AFFAIRS at 03:15 PM GRUENBERG 120Text
  11. (H) COSPONSOR(S): HANNAN1810
  12. (H) COSPONSOR(S): FIELDS1790
  13. (H) COSPONSOR(S): FOSTER1779
  14. (H) REFERRED TO STATE AFFAIRS1446
  15. (H) STA, FIN1446
  16. (H) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS1446
  17. (H) PREFILE RELEASED 1/9/261446