The proposed bill, General Assembly Proposed Bill No. 17, aims to allocate funding for the removal of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) from fire apparatus. Specifically, it proposes an appropriation of one million five hundred thousand dollars to the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2027. This funding will be used to provide grants to municipalities, independent fire companies, and state agencies for the removal of PFAS from fire apparatus, as well as to reimburse for any removal efforts that took place prior to July 1, 2023.

The bill does not include any deletions from current law but introduces new legal language to facilitate the funding process. The primary goal of this legislation is to support local and state efforts in addressing the environmental and health concerns associated with PFAS in firefighting equipment.