House amendment to the 3rd edition makes the following changes.
Amends the definition of responsible party in new GS 130A-19.1 (abatement of PFAS exceedances), so that it means a per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) manufacturer: (1) whose direct discharge of PFAS into surface waters of the State has caused or contributed to the presence of PFAS in a public water system; and (2) who has entered a consent order that establishes required compliance measures to address discharges of PFAS to surface water (was, A PFAS manufacturer whose discharge or release of PFAS into the environment has caused or contributed to the presence of PFAS in a public water system). Requires a public water system to have incurred costs in excess of $50 million to remove, correct, or abate adverse effects upon the water supply resulting from contamination by the responsible party in order for the Secretary to order that responsible party to pay the public water system the actual and necessary costs of repair, as described. Specifies now that a public water system must now reimburse ratepayers of the system through refunds or credits to customers, or a reduction in future rates charged, in a manner that will not impair any existing financial obligations that may be associated with the public water system if the described conditions are met (was, reimbursement through a reduction in future rates charged). Makes technical and clarifying changes.