A Georgia bill that would shield companies like Mohawk and Shaw from lawsuits regarding forever chemical contamination is still alive, but it might be almost “impossible” to get it out of a legislative committee, a sponsor said.
State Rep. Kasey Carpenter, R-Dalton, introduced the measure, House Bill 211, last year, and it has since attracted criticism from members of his own party in Whitfield County.
(READ MORE: PFAS Georgia forges ahead with lawsuits against key regional companies)
The bill stalled in the judiciary committee after opposition from Northwest Georgia residents and attorneys, who argued it was overbroad, sought to interfere in ongoing lawsuits and could remove incentives for industries to halt the use of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances. Supporters said it would protect billion-dollar industries responsible for creating thousands of jobs from costly litigation.
PFAS are a group of compounds used for years in commercial products like cookware, flooring and fast food wrappers because of their heat- and stain-resistant properties. The chemicals contain strong bonds that can take decades to break down naturally in the environment.