Maine’s Legislature made great progress with policies to address PFAS contamination in our environment, with special emphasis on farmland, passing three important bills, creating a safety net for farmers struggling with PFAS contamination, and continuing to lead the country on PFAS legislation. With bipartisan support, two bills address the devastating problem of farmland contamination from PFAS. LD 1911 stops the practice of sludge spreading on farmland, and LD 2019 strengthens the state’s plan to phase out PFAS pesticides. Governor Mills and the Legislature also secured $60 million in state funds to provide direct support for farmers impacted by PFAS contamination. Another bill directs state officials to create a plan for treating PFAS-contaminated leachate from the state-owned Juniper Ridge Landfill in Old Town. Effluent from the landfill is exacerbating the pollution problems in the Penobscot River, a natural resource sacred to the Penobscot Nation. MOFGA is celebrating these landmark policies enacted by Maine’s Legislature and working with allies in Congress and across the country to help develop a coordinated PFAS action plan drawing from the many lessons we have learned in Maine. Read MOFGA’s most recent policy column for our takeaways from this legislative session. 

You also may check the status of bills on the Legislature’s website.