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House committee approves interim study on endocrine-disrupting chemicals after amendment vote
Summary
The committee adopted an amended House Joint Resolution 44 to request an interim study of endocrine-disrupting chemicals, including PFAS; amendment HA44 1.2 passed on a 13–1 roll call and HJ44 as amended passed in committee. Members debated testing capacity, instrumentation needs and federal vs. state roles.
The House Natural Resources Committee approved an amended interim-study request on endocrine-disrupting chemicals (HJ 44), adopting amendment HA44 1.2 before passing the resolution. The amendment was adopted on a roll-call vote (13 ayes, 1 no) and the committee then passed HJ 44 as amended by voice vote.
Representative Jason (sponsor) described HJ 44 as a broad, baseline interim study to gather information about endocrine-disrupting chemicals across the state rather than a plan that prescribes study design or a budget. Members debated whether Montana should proceed independently of potential federal action and whether state laboratories have the capacity to do the specialized testing. Representative Konar and others argued in favor of a study to collect data and prepare the state; Konar described that some testing in eastern Montana had shown the presence of PFAS and that the EPA has performed regional sampling. Representative Menas said prior attempts at state-level regulation faced challenges and urged caution.
Committee discussion included technical points about analytical instrumentation: a witness described mass-spectrometer-based capability and explained that PFAS analysis requires specialized setup and contamination control (for example, the instrument must be isolated from Teflon-containing materials). Members noted the state lab is acquiring PFAS instrumentation and that dedicated procedures are needed to avoid cross-contamination; a figure of roughly $180,000 for the PFAS-capable instrument was mentioned during committee discussion as part of laboratory capacity planning.
After debate the committee approved the amendment by roll call (13–1) and passed HJ 44 as amended. The amendment’s sponsor and supporters characterized the resolution as information-gathering that does not, on its own, impose regulations or obligations on water systems or private parties.
