2022 -- H 8376

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LC006186

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2022

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H O U S E   R E S O L U T I O N

CREATING A SPECIAL LEGISLATIVE COMMISSION TO STUDY AND PROVIDE

RECOMMENDATIONS ON THE ISSUE OF PFAS IN FIREFIGHTER GEAR

     Introduced By: Representatives Speakman, Cortvriend, Carson, Blazejewski, Casimiro,
Solomon, Donovan, Casey, Hawkins, and Bennett

     Date Introduced: June 24, 2022

     Referred To: House read and passed

     WHEREAS, Chemicals known as PFAS, Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, are used to

make firefighter gear resistant to flames, water and oil, and have been associated with potential

adverse health effects; now, therefore be it

     RESOLVED, That a special legislative commission be and the same is hereby created

consisting of nine (9) members: two (2) of whom shall be members of the Rhode Island House of

Representatives, to be appointed by the Speaker of the House; one of whom shall the Director of

the Department of Environmental Management, or designee; one of whom shall be the Director

of the Department of Health, or designee; one of whom shall be the Director of the Emergency

Management Agency, or designee; one of whom shall be the President of the Executive Board of

the Rhode Island Association of Fire Chiefs, or designee; one of whom shall be the Director of

the Rhode Island State Association of Fire Fighters, or designee; one of whom shall be the

Director of the League of Cities and Towns, or designee; and one of whom shall be the Chief of

the Civil Division, Office of the Attorney General, or designee.

     In lieu of any appointment of a member of the legislature to a legislative study

commission created by this General Assembly resolution, the Speaker shall appoint a member of

the general public to serve in lieu of a legislator.

     The purpose of said commission shall be to make a comprehensive study and provide

recommendations on the issue of PFAS in firefighter gear including:

Researching the development of alternatives to this gear;

Recommending a timeline for replacing gear statewide; and

Recommending a potential strategy for funding the replacement gear from state or

federal funds.

     Forthwith upon passage of this resolution, the members of the commission shall meet

after October 1, 2022, at the call of the Speaker of the House and organize and the Speaker shall

select a chairperson.

     Vacancies in said commission shall be filled in like manner as the original appointment.

     The membership of said commission shall receive no compensation for their services.

     All departments and agencies of the state shall furnish such advice and information,

documentary and otherwise, to said commission and its agents as is deemed necessary or

desirable by the commission to facilitate the purposes of this resolution.

     The Speaker of the House is hereby authorized and directed to provide suitable quarters

for said commission; and be it further

     RESOLVED, That the commission shall report its findings and recommendations to the

House of Representatives on or before January 1, 2024, and said commission shall expire on

March 1, 2024.

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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

H O U S E   R E S O L U T I O N

CREATING A SPECIAL LEGISLATIVE COMMISSION TO STUDY AND PROVIDE

RECOMMENDATIONS ON THE ISSUE OF PFAS IN FIREFIGHTER GEAR

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     This resolution would create a nine (9) member special legislative study commission

whose purpose it would be to study and provide recommendations on the issue of PFAS in

firefighter gear, and who would report back to the House no later than January 1, 2024, and

whose life would expire on March 1, 2024.

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LC006186

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