Revision: March 4, 2026, 10:53 a.m.
Rep. N. Germana, Ches. 15
Rep. Haskins, Rock. 11
February 27, 2026
2026-0925h
07/09
Amendment to HB 1275
Amend the bill by replacing all after the enacting clause with the following:
1 New Subdivision; PFAS in Agriculture. Amend RSA 431 by inserting after section 36 the following new subdivision:
PFAS in Agriculture
431:37 Per- and Polyfluorinatedalkyl Substances; Civil Immunity. Any person engaged in the practice of farming shall be immune from suit and civil liability for any damages resulting from claims based on harms caused by per and poly fluorinated alkyl substances present in soil, water, or agricultural products as a result of standard agricultural practices, including the land application of sludge or biosolids.
2 Water Pollution and Waste Disposal; Land Application of Sludge. Amend RSA 485-A:5-d to read as follows:
485-A:5-d Land Application of Sludge.
I. Sludge or biosolids which are to be land applied in New Hampshire shall not exceed the maximum concentrations for specific chemical contaminants contained in the rules of the department, or the rules or regulations of the state in which the sludge was generated, whichever are more stringent.
II. By June 30, 2027, the department shall initiate rulemaking under RSA 541-A to develop concentration-based standards for PFAS in biosolids at land-application sites. Such standards shall be set for those PFAS compounds for which an ambient groundwater quality standard has been established under RSA 485-C. Such rulemaking shall include requirements for PFAS soil testing at land-application sites. Land application shall not occur if biosolid or soil PFAS concentrations exceed the applicable standards. Funds to assist with agricultural soil testing may be available from the agricultural PFAS relief fund under RSA 485-H:7.
3 Per- and Polyfluorinatedalkyl Substances Fund and Programs; Drinking Water and Groundwater Trust Fund Exception. Amend RSA 485-H:7 to read as follows:
485-H:7 Drinking Water and Groundwater Trust Fund Exception. Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, any funds deposited into the drinking water and groundwater trust fund established in RSA 6-D:1 as a result of this chapter may be transferred to the department to be used for funding PFAS remediation projects, including those at wastewater treatment facilities, and the testing of agricultural soil, at the discretion of the drinking water and groundwater trust fund's advisory commission.
4 Effective Date. This act shall take effect 60 days after its passage.
2026-0925h
AMENDED ANALYSIS
This bill grants immunity from civil liability to farmers for damages resulting from claims based on harms caused by certain per and poly fluorinated alkyl substances present in soil, water, or agricultural products. This bill also requires the department of environmental services to develop concentration-based standards for PFAS in biosolids at land-application sites.