2023 -- S 1029
========
LC003047
========
S TATE OF RHODE IS LAND
IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY
JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2023
____________
J O I N T R E S O L U T I O N
MAKING AN APPROPRIATION OF $15,200,000 TO BE USED TO PURCHASE PFAS-FREE
FIREFIGHTING GEAR
Introduced By: Senators Felag, Pearson, Britto, F. Lombardi, Gallo, Raptakis, DiPalma,
and Sosnowski
Date Introduced: May 19, 2023
Referred To: Senate Finance
WHEREAS, Perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances, commonly referred to as 1
PFAS, are manmade chemicals found in a wide range of products, including, but not limited to, 2
adult mattresses, air care products, clothing, cleaning products, cookware, cosmetics, and many, 3
many more; and 4
WHEREAS, Increasingly, research shows that long-term exposure to products containing 5
PFAS creates heightened and increased health and safety risks to persons who are so exposed; 6
and 7
WHEREAS, By the nature of their work and the extent to which PFAS are found in more 8
and more items commonly found in private households and businesses, firefighters and rescue 9
personnel are particularly exposed to heightened amounts of PFAS in performing their duties as 10
firefighters and rescue personnel; and 11
WHEREAS, A significant percentage of current, in-use firefighter and rescue personnel 12
protective gear includes PFAS substances, and that exposure to PFAS substances is increased 13
when the materials containing PFAS are exposed to high temperatures, which firefighters and 14
rescue personnel face on daily basis; and 15
WHEREAS, There now exists recently-developed firefighter and rescue personnel 16
protective gear which is PFAS free, and the use of which, while not completely eliminating the 17
inherent possibility of exposure, would dramatically reduce the amount of exposure to PFAS 18
substances which firefighters and rescue personnel face regularly; and 19
LC003047 - Page 2 of 3
WHEREAS, That the sum of fifteen million, two hundred thousand dollars ($15,200,000) 1
would enable the purchase of PFAS free personnel protective gear for approximately two 2
thousand, four hundred (2,400) professional firefighters and one thousand, four hundred (1,400) 3
volunteer firefighters, across the state; now therefore be it 4
RESOLVED, That there is hereby appropriated, out of any money in the treasury not 5
otherwise appropriated for fiscal year 2023-2024, the sum of fifteen million, two hundred dollars 6
($15,200,000) for those cities and towns in the State of Rhode Island to purchase firefighter and 7
rescue personnel protective gear which is PFAS free; and the state controller is hereby authorized 8
and directed to draw his orders upon the general treasurer for the payment of said sum, or so 9
much thereof as maybe from time to time be required, upon receipt of properly authenticated 10
vouchers. 11
========
LC003047
========
LC003047 - Page 3 of 3
EXPLANATION
BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL
OF
J O I N T R E S O L U T I O N
MAKING AN APPROPRIAT ION OF $15,200,000 TO BE USED TO PURCHASE PFAS-FREE
FIREFIGHTING GEAR
***
This joint resolution would authorize the appropriation of the sum of fifteen million, two 1
hundred thousand dollars ($15,200,000) to cities and towns to purchase firefighter and rescue 2
personnel protective gear which is PFAS free. 3
========
LC003047
========