[Congressional Bills 118th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. 4884 Introduced in Senate (IS)]

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118th CONGRESS
  2d Session
                                S. 4884

 To require that all new washing machines sold or offered for sale in 
the United States contain a microfiber filtration system, and for other 
                               purposes.


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                             July 31, 2024

  Mr. Merkley introduced the following bill; which was read twice and 
   referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation

_______________________________________________________________________

                                 A BILL


 
 To require that all new washing machines sold or offered for sale in 
the United States contain a microfiber filtration system, and for other 
                               purposes.

    Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Fighting Fibers Act of 2024''.

SEC. 2. DEFINITION OF ADMINISTRATOR.

    In this Act, the term ``Administrator'' means the Administrator of 
the Environmental Protection Agency.

SEC. 3. MICROFIBER FILTRATION IN WASHING MACHINES.

    (a) Definitions.--In this section:
            (1) Microfiber filtration system.--The term ``microfiber 
        filtration system'' means a filtration unit for a washing 
        machine that is--
                    (A) active across all washing cycles; and
                    (B)(i) integrated into the washing machine design 
                as a built-in filter; or
                    (ii)(I) included as an in-line filter; and
                    (II) packaged, sold, and installed with the washing 
                machine.
            (2) Washing machine.--
                    (A) In general.--The term ``washing machine'' means 
                a machine designed and used for washing clothes and 
                linen.
                    (B) Inclusions.--The term ``washing machine'' 
                includes residential and commercial washing machines.
    (b) Microfiber Filtration.--The Administrator, jointly with the 
Secretary of Energy, shall ensure that, beginning on January 1, 2030, 
no new washing machine is sold or offered for sale in the United States 
unless the washing machine meets the following requirements:
            (1) Contains a microfiber filtration system--
                    (A) with a mesh size of not greater than 100 
                micrometers; or
                    (B) that meets another standard that is determined 
                by the Administrator, jointly with the Secretary of 
                Energy, in a rulemaking under subsection (c) to provide 
                equal or greater efficacy in reducing microfiber 
                pollution as compared to a microfiber filtration system 
                with a mesh size of not greater than 100 micrometers.
            (2) Bears a conspicuous label that is visible to the 
        consumer, in the form of a sticker or any other label type, 
        that includes--
                    (A) the following statement: ``Notice: This washing 
                machine contains a filter to capture microfibers. Check 
                filter regularly and dispose of captured lint in a 
                waste bin.''; or
                    (B) a similar label as determined by the 
                Administrator, jointly with the Secretary of Energy, in 
                a rulemaking under subsection (c).
            (3) Such other requirements or standards as the 
        Administrator, jointly with the Secretary of Energy, may 
        require through a rulemaking under subsection (c).
    (c) Rulemaking.--The Administrator, jointly with the Secretary of 
Energy, may promulgate regulations to carry out this section.
    (d) Civil Penalties.--
            (1) In general.--Any person that violates the requirements 
        of this section shall be assessed a civil penalty by the 
        Administrator of--
                    (A) in the case of a first violation, not more than 
                $10,000; and
                    (B) in the case of each subsequent violation, 
                $30,000.
            (2) Cumulative remedies.--The remedies provided in this 
        section are in addition to any other remedy available under any 
        other law.
    (e) Savings Provision.--Nothing in this section impairs or impedes 
any other right, cause of action, claim, or defense available under any 
other law.

SEC. 4. MICROFIBER RESEARCH AND DIRECTIVES.

    (a) Definition of Microfiber.--In this section, the term 
``microfiber'' means a synthetic or natural textile fiber that is less 
than 5 millimeters in length.
    (b) Study.--
            (1) In general.--The Administrator, in consultation with 
        the heads of other Federal departments and agencies as the 
        Administrator determines to be necessary, shall carry out a 
        nationwide study on--
                    (A) the presence of, sources of, and pathways used 
                by microfibers in the human body and the environment;
                    (B) whether the presence of microfibers in the 
                human body and the environment has a toxic effect on 
                human health and the environment; and
                    (C) whether the presence of microfibers in the 
                human body and the environment has an inequitable 
                impact on environmental justice communities, as 
                determined by the Administrator.
            (2) Report.--Not later than 1 year after the date of 
        enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall submit to 
        Congress, and make publicly available, a report that describes 
        the results of the study under paragraph (1).
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