New Hampshire 2024 Regular Session

New Hampshire House Bill HB242

Introduced
1/9/23  

Caption

Relative to banning PFAS in food packaging.

Impact

The bill places the responsibility of regulating, implementing, and enforcing the ban on local municipalities, shifting away from state oversight. This local authority means that municipalities will need to allocate resources potentially for product testing and enforcement. The expected fiscal impact includes indeterminable increases in expenditures at both local and county levels as municipalities would be required to dedicate staff and possibly acquire laboratory testing services to ensure compliance with the new regulations. Such costs could range significantly based on testing needs.

Summary

House Bill 242 aims to prohibit the use of perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in disposable food service products within the state. This legislation is framed within the expanding concern over the health risks and environmental impacts associated with PFAS, which have been linked to various health problems. The bill mandates that starting January 1, 2024, no food service business can sell disposable food service products containing PFAS. It outlines clear definitions for involved entities and services while exempting certain items from this prohibition.

Contention

Discussions surrounding the bill may center on the practical implications for enforcement and the capabilities of local governments to manage new responsibilities. Opponents may express concerns about the costs related to local enforcement, potential legal challenges, or the adequacy of testing methods to identify PFAS in products. Supporters, on the other hand, are likely to argue that addressing the issues associated with PFAS in food packaging is a necessary step towards protecting public health and the environment.

Companion Bills

NH HB242

Carry Over Relative to banning PFAS in food packaging.

Previously Filed As

NH HB242

Relative to banning PFAS in food packaging.

NH HB465

Restricting use of perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances in certain consumer products.

NH HB414

Relative to health insurance coverage for preventative PFAS care.

NH HB300

Prohibiting the disposal of certain food waste.

NH SB267

Requiring the commissioner of the department of environmental services to consider "cumulative impacts analysis" in rules and statutes.

NH HB280

Relative to the sale of freeze-dried food.

NH HB119

Relative to homestead food operation licensure and making provisions for the sale of meat from uninspected bison, elk, or red deer.

NH HB602

Relative to landfill siting.

NH HB122

Relative to microenterprise home kitchen operations.

NH HB344

Relative to the home cultivation of cannabis plants and the possession of certain cannabis-infused products.

Similar Bills

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NH SB56

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NH HB1601

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NH HB233

Relative to useful thermal energy under the renewable portfolio standards.

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