BSB/2/14
Sponsored by Mehr Malhotra, Medha Tandon of Ravenwood High School
This legislation was filed in the Environment and Conservation category
Presented as part of the YIG Volunteer 2024 conference
| 1 | BE IT ENACTED BY THE TENNESSEE YMCA YOUTH IN GOVERNMENT |
| 2 | |
| 3 | Section 1: Terms defined in this act, unless the context requires otherwise, should be defined as |
| 4 | follows: |
| 5 | Per and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) - A group of organofluorine chemical compounds that |
| 6 | are used to make fluoropolymer coatings that resist heat, oil, grease, stains, and water. They are |
| 7 | known as forever chemicals that actively remain in the environment. |
| 8 | Biosolids - Organic matter that is recycled from sewage systems, especially in agriculture. |
| 9 | Reverse osmosis systems - Point-of-use systems that use energy to push water through a |
| 10 | membrane with tiny pores that stop forever-lasting chemicals while allowing water to pass |
| 11 | through. |
| 12 | Companies - A commercial/industrial business that interacts with PFA chemicals, such as |
| 13 | firefighting or military-based industries. |
| 14 | |
| 15 | Section 2: An act to reduce the source of PFAS in Tennessee Waters, by issuing regulations for |
| 16 | companies that use them. PFAS are very prominent in essential industries and are prevalent in |
| 17 | 60% of companies products. Alarmed by the increased health risks, water pollution, and the loss |
| 18 | of biodiversity caused by PFAS in communities, this bill aims to secure the health of the general |
| 19 | public. |
| 20 | |
| 21 | Section 3: This bill proposes a series of regulations to be implemented by the Tennessee |
| 22 | Department of Environment and Conservation. |
| 23 | Require periodic wastewater testing every 2 weeks, specifically for 1000 companies which use |
| 24 | PFAS regularly. |
| 25 | Issue a limit of less than 14 nanograms per milliliter of PFAS in companies. If this limit is exceeded |
| 26 | it is considered a health hazard to individuals. |
| 27 | Require reverse osmosis systems to be implemented in companies that exceed 14 nanograms per |
| 28 | millimeter of PFAS, as those 1000 companies create the most harm to communities and |
| 29 | ecosystems. |
| 30 | Biosolids won’t be applied to agricultural lands or areas near waterways if companies exceed 4.5 |
| 31 | parts per trillion. |
| 32 | |
| 33 | Section 4: - The bill formally requests that the Tennessee Department of Environment and |
| 34 | Conservation uses 3.5% of its budget ($399,530,600 for the 2023-2024 Fiscal Year) to reduce the |
| 35 | source of PFAS in the Tennessee region. One reverse osmosis system costs $12,750, and it costs |
| 36 | $1,250 for the installation of the system. Approximately, 1000 companies have the highest PFA |
| 37 | use, so the total cost of this bill will be relatively around $14,000,000. |
| 38 | Section 5: All laws or parts of laws in conflict with this act are hereby repealed. |
| 39 | Section 6: This act shall take place on June 30th, 2024, or the beginning of the new fiscal year. |
| 40 |