[Congressional Bills 118th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. 4884 Introduced in Senate (IS)]
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118th CONGRESS
2d Session
S. 4884
To require that all new washing machines sold or offered for sale in
the United States contain a microfiber filtration system, and for other
purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
July 31, 2024
Mr. Merkley introduced the following bill; which was read twice and
referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To require that all new washing machines sold or offered for sale in
the United States contain a microfiber filtration system, and for other
purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Fighting Fibers Act of 2024''.
SEC. 2. DEFINITION OF ADMINISTRATOR.
In this Act, the term ``Administrator'' means the Administrator of
the Environmental Protection Agency.
SEC. 3. MICROFIBER FILTRATION IN WASHING MACHINES.
(a) Definitions.--In this section:
(1) Microfiber filtration system.--The term ``microfiber
filtration system'' means a filtration unit for a washing
machine that is--
(A) active across all washing cycles; and
(B)(i) integrated into the washing machine design
as a built-in filter; or
(ii)(I) included as an in-line filter; and
(II) packaged, sold, and installed with the washing
machine.
(2) Washing machine.--
(A) In general.--The term ``washing machine'' means
a machine designed and used for washing clothes and
linen.
(B) Inclusions.--The term ``washing machine''
includes residential and commercial washing machines.
(b) Microfiber Filtration.--The Administrator, jointly with the
Secretary of Energy, shall ensure that, beginning on January 1, 2030,
no new washing machine is sold or offered for sale in the United States
unless the washing machine meets the following requirements:
(1) Contains a microfiber filtration system--
(A) with a mesh size of not greater than 100
micrometers; or
(B) that meets another standard that is determined
by the Administrator, jointly with the Secretary of
Energy, in a rulemaking under subsection (c) to provide
equal or greater efficacy in reducing microfiber
pollution as compared to a microfiber filtration system
with a mesh size of not greater than 100 micrometers.
(2) Bears a conspicuous label that is visible to the
consumer, in the form of a sticker or any other label type,
that includes--
(A) the following statement: ``Notice: This washing
machine contains a filter to capture microfibers. Check
filter regularly and dispose of captured lint in a
waste bin.''; or
(B) a similar label as determined by the
Administrator, jointly with the Secretary of Energy, in
a rulemaking under subsection (c).
(3) Such other requirements or standards as the
Administrator, jointly with the Secretary of Energy, may
require through a rulemaking under subsection (c).
(c) Rulemaking.--The Administrator, jointly with the Secretary of
Energy, may promulgate regulations to carry out this section.
(d) Civil Penalties.--
(1) In general.--Any person that violates the requirements
of this section shall be assessed a civil penalty by the
Administrator of--
(A) in the case of a first violation, not more than
$10,000; and
(B) in the case of each subsequent violation,
$30,000.
(2) Cumulative remedies.--The remedies provided in this
section are in addition to any other remedy available under any
other law.
(e) Savings Provision.--Nothing in this section impairs or impedes
any other right, cause of action, claim, or defense available under any
other law.
SEC. 4. MICROFIBER RESEARCH AND DIRECTIVES.
(a) Definition of Microfiber.--In this section, the term
``microfiber'' means a synthetic or natural textile fiber that is less
than 5 millimeters in length.
(b) Study.--
(1) In general.--The Administrator, in consultation with
the heads of other Federal departments and agencies as the
Administrator determines to be necessary, shall carry out a
nationwide study on--
(A) the presence of, sources of, and pathways used
by microfibers in the human body and the environment;
(B) whether the presence of microfibers in the
human body and the environment has a toxic effect on
human health and the environment; and
(C) whether the presence of microfibers in the
human body and the environment has an inequitable
impact on environmental justice communities, as
determined by the Administrator.
(2) Report.--Not later than 1 year after the date of
enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall submit to
Congress, and make publicly available, a report that describes
the results of the study under paragraph (1).
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