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S. 950Senate116th Congress (2019-2021)In Committee

PFAS Detection Act of 2019

Sponsored by Debbie StabenowSen. Debbie Stabenow (D-MI)
Introduced March 28, 2019

AI-Generated Summary

Updated April 14, 2026 at 3:28 AM UTC

The PFAS Detection Act of 2019 directs the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) to develop a national standard for detecting per‑ and poly‑fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and to carry out a nationwide sampling of water sources, wetlands, soils and related environments. The goal is to identify how much PFAS is present, especially in drinking‑water supplies, and to share the findings with Congress, the EPA and other regulators so they can assess health and environmental risks.

Key Provisions

  • USGS must create a performance standard that emphasizes detecting as many PFAS compounds as possible with the most sensitive, practical methods.
  • The agency must conduct a nationwide sampling of estuaries, lakes, streams, wells, aquifers, soils, and other water‑related sites, starting with drinking‑water sources near known or suspected PFAS releases and before any water treatment.
  • USGS must work with state officials and the EPA to prioritize sampling locations, avoid duplicate efforts, and coordinate testing methods.
  • Within 90 days of completing the sampling, USGS must submit a detailed report to relevant Senate and House committees, the senators from affected states, and the House members representing the sampled districts.
  • Sampling data must be provided to the EPA and other federal or state agencies upon request to support exposure assessments, health impact studies, and remediation planning.
  • The Act authorizes $5 million for FY2020 and $10 million each year from FY2021 through FY2024 to fund these activities.

Legislative Activity

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SenateIntro Referral Latest Action

Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.

Environment and Public Works Committee

March 28, 2019

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SenateIntro Referral

Introduced in Senate

March 28, 2019

SenateIntro Referral

Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.

Environment and Public Works Committee

March 28, 2019

Bill Text

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Introduced in SenateIssued March 28, 2019

II

116th CONGRESS

1st Session

S. 950

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

March 28, 2019

Ms. Stabenow (for herself, Mr. Rounds, Mr. Peters, Mr. Tillis, Mr. Burr, and Ms. Baldwin) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works

A BILL

To require the Director of the United States Geological Survey to perform a nationwide survey of perfluorinated compounds, and for other purposes.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the PFAS Detection Act of 2019.

2.

Definitions

In this Act:

(1)

Administrator

The term Administrator means the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency.

(2)

Director

The term Director means the Director of the United States Geological Survey.

(3)

Perfluorinated compound

(A)

In general

The term perfluorinated compound means a perfluoroalkyl substance or a polyfluoroalkyl substance that is manmade with at least 1 fully fluorinated carbon atom.

(B)

Definitions

In this definition:

(i)

Fully fluorinated carbon atom

The term fully fluorinated carbon atom means a carbon atom on which all the hydrogen substituents have been replaced by fluorine.

(ii)

Nonfluorinated carbon atom

The term nonfluorinated carbon atom means a carbon atom on which no hydrogen substituents have been replaced by fluorine.

(iii)

Partially fluorinated carbon atom

The term partially fluorinated carbon atom means a carbon atom on which some, but not all, of the hydrogen substituents have been replaced by fluorine.

(iv)

Perfluoroalkyl substance

The term perfluoroalkyl substance means a manmade chemical of which all of the carbon atoms are fully fluorinated carbon atoms.

(v)

Polyfluoroalkyl substance

The term polyfluoroalkyl substance means a manmade chemical containing a mix of fully fluorinated carbon atoms, partially fluorinated carbon atoms, and nonfluorinated carbon atoms.

3.

Performance standard for the detection of perfluorinated compounds

(a)

In general

The Director shall establish a performance standard for the detection of perfluorinated compounds.

(b)

Emphasis

(1)

In general

In developing the performance standard under subsection (a), the Director shall emphasize the ability to detect as many perfluorinated compounds present in the environment as possible using analytical methods that are as sensitive as is feasible and practicable.

(2)

Requirement

In developing the performance standard under subsection (a), the Director may—

(A)

develop quality assurance and quality control measures to ensure accurate sampling and testing;

(B)

develop a training program with respect to the appropriate method of sample collection and analysis of perfluorinated compounds; and

(C)

coordinate as necessary with the Administrator to develop methods to detect individual and different perfluorinated compounds simultaneously.

4.

Nationwide sampling

(a)

In general

The Director shall carry out a nationwide sampling to determine the concentration of perfluorinated compounds in estuaries, lakes, streams, springs, wells, wetlands, rivers, aquifers, and soil using the performance standard developed under section 3(a).

(b)

Requirements

In carrying out the sampling under subsection (a), the Director shall—

(1)

first carry out the sampling at sources of drinking water near locations with known or suspected releases of perfluorinated compounds;

(2)

when carrying out sampling of sources of drinking water under paragraph (1), carry out the sampling prior to any treatment of the water;

(3)

survey for ecological exposure to perfluorinated compounds, with a priority in determining direct human exposure through drinking water; and

(4)

consult with—

(A)

States to determine areas that are a priority for sampling; and

(B)

the Administrator—

(i)

to enhance coverage of the sampling; and

(ii)

to avoid unnecessary duplication.

(c)

Report

Not later than 90 days after the completion of the sampling under subsection (a), the Director shall prepare a report describing the results of the sampling and submit the report to—

(1)

the Committee on Environment and Public Works and the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate;

(2)

the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House of Representatives;

(3)

the Senators of each State in which the Director carried out the sampling; and

(4)

each Member of the House of Representatives that represents a district in which the Director carried out the sampling.

5.

Data usage

(a)

In general

The Director shall provide the sampling data collected under section 4 to—

(1)

the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency; and

(2)

other Federal and State regulatory agencies on request.

(b)

Usage

The sampling data provided under subsection (a) shall be used to inform and enhance assessments of exposure, likely health and environmental impacts, and remediation priorities.

6.

Collaboration

In carrying out this Act, the Director shall collaborate with—

(1)

appropriate Federal and State regulators;

(2)

institutions of higher education;

(3)

research institutions; and

(4)

other expert stakeholders.

7.

Authorization of appropriations

There are authorized to be appropriated to the Director to carry out this Act—

(1)

$5,000,000 for fiscal year 2020; and

(2)

$10,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2021 through 2024.