Committee approves limits on PFAS in sewage‑sludge land application after debate
March 21, 2026 | Environment and Transportation Committee, HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Committees, Legislative, Maryland
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The House Environment and Transportation Committee on March 20 voted to pass House Bill 925, which creates prohibitions and restrictions on land application of sewage sludge that contains regulated PFAS at or above specified concentration thresholds.
Chair Stein presented the bill and the committee’s amendments, including provisions that delay the effective date of the land‑application restrictions to Oct. 1, 2028, clarify rules on commingling of sewage sludge, extend timelines for mitigation plans, and adjust testing requirements and assistance to publicly owned treatment works.
“Right now, there are no limits,” Chair Stein said, summarizing the measure’s intent to establish concentration‑based prohibitions and other controls. Supporters framed the bill as a step toward reducing PFAS spread through land application where previously none existed.
Opponents singled out the bill’s scope and enforcement. Delegate Grammer said he would vote no, arguing the legislation effectively "allows poison to come from our wastewater treatment facilities and be applied to the farms in which we're growing food." He added that the measure "provides no fair warning to farmers and adjacent landowners about PFAS levels in the sludge" and that a civil‑liability amendment he favored was not adopted.
Supporters pushed back that the bill would lower the amount of PFAS applied compared with the current absence of limits. Vice Chair Holmes and other members said testing protocols and frequency are addressed in the bill and that the measure represents a practical step given technological and regulatory constraints.
The committee recorded two members in opposition (Delegate Grammer and Delegate Niraki); the bill passed as amended.
What happens next: HB 925 will move to the floor for consideration with the committee amendments. The bill’s delayed effective date and the committee’s preferred testing and mitigation timeline will give implementing agencies and affected wastewater utilities time to prepare.
Chair Stein presented the bill and the committee’s amendments, including provisions that delay the effective date of the land‑application restrictions to Oct. 1, 2028, clarify rules on commingling of sewage sludge, extend timelines for mitigation plans, and adjust testing requirements and assistance to publicly owned treatment works.
“Right now, there are no limits,” Chair Stein said, summarizing the measure’s intent to establish concentration‑based prohibitions and other controls. Supporters framed the bill as a step toward reducing PFAS spread through land application where previously none existed.
Opponents singled out the bill’s scope and enforcement. Delegate Grammer said he would vote no, arguing the legislation effectively "allows poison to come from our wastewater treatment facilities and be applied to the farms in which we're growing food." He added that the measure "provides no fair warning to farmers and adjacent landowners about PFAS levels in the sludge" and that a civil‑liability amendment he favored was not adopted.
Supporters pushed back that the bill would lower the amount of PFAS applied compared with the current absence of limits. Vice Chair Holmes and other members said testing protocols and frequency are addressed in the bill and that the measure represents a practical step given technological and regulatory constraints.
The committee recorded two members in opposition (Delegate Grammer and Delegate Niraki); the bill passed as amended.
What happens next: HB 925 will move to the floor for consideration with the committee amendments. The bill’s delayed effective date and the committee’s preferred testing and mitigation timeline will give implementing agencies and affected wastewater utilities time to prepare.
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