ASSEMBLY PUBLIC SAFETY AND PREPAREDNESS COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

ASSEMBLY, No. 5537

with committee amendments

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED:  JUNE 19, 2025

      The Assembly Public Safety and Preparedness Committee reports favorably and with committee amendments Assembly Bill No. 5537.

      As amended and reported by the committee, this bill would prohibit, beginning January 1, 2027, the use of any class B firefighting foam containing intentionally added perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) by fire departments in the State.  The amended bill permits fire departments an additional year to use class B firefighting foam after the prohibition in current law takes effect. 

COMMITTEE AMENDMENTS:

      The committee amended the bill to remove the appropriation.  The bill, as introduced, included an appropriation from the General Fund to the Department of Environmental Protection to reimburse eligible municipalities for the costs of implementing the bill’s provisions.