House debate grows over ending mandatory PCB air testing in schools as funds run out

The House debated H.542, a session‑law measure that would end the mandatory air‑testing deadline for polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in school buildings built before 1980 and reserve remaining program funds for schools already found above state action levels.

Representative Cornwall, presenting the bill, framed it as a fiscal and practical response to a program that has outstripped available funding. “This bill would remove that deadline and essentially end the air testing program for any untested school since there is no money to pay for it or for any remediation,” he told the chamber.

Why it matters: The PCB testing program was enacted after elevated PCB contamination was identified at a Burlington school and has required both testing and, for affected schools, remediation measures such as targeted removal, filtration, and limited use of spaces. Committee testimony and fiscal notes show the original testing appropriation has been exhausted and that remediation costs for affected schools can be substantial — North Country Union High School was cited as costing over $8 million to date.

Concerns and dissent: Multiple members urged caution. Several asked whether the state had assessed health risks and whether a less drastic option (extending the deadline or aligning state levels with federal material‑testing standards) was viable. Representative Northfield and others said terminating the program without an updated public‑health assessment could leave students in untested buildings at unknown risk. The presenter noted a required agency report to the legislature by Jan. 15, 2027, to recommend long‑term remediation options, and emphasized that individual districts can still test voluntarily at local expense.

Outcome and next steps: The committee favorably reported the bill and the House ordered the third reading. The measure requires the Agency of Natural Resources to submit a long‑term remediation plan by 01/15/2027 and specifies that state funds are reserved for schools already identified as affected by past testing. Members flagged potential impacts on ongoing litigation and equity between districts in future deliberations.

Attribution: Statements attributed to the member from Cornwall and floor interrogations are taken from the House transcript on the day of debate.