Rep. Clampitt files bill in North Carolina House to regulate firefighting foam use

A new bill filed by State Rep. Mike Clampitt in the North Carolina House seeks to limit environmental and health risks by regulating firefighting foam use in nonemergency settings, according to the North Carolina State House.

The bill, filed as HB 570 on March 27 during the 2025 regular session, was formally listed with the short title: ‘Responsible Firefighting Foam Management Act.’

The following is our breakdown, based on the actual bill text, and may include interpretation to clarify its provisions.

In essence, the bill, titled the “Responsible Firefighting Foam Management Act,” aims to address environmental and health concerns by prohibiting the use of firefighting foams containing PFAS chemicals for training or testing in nonemergency situations. It specifically bans any person or government entity from discharging Class B firefighting foam with intentionally added PFAS for these purposes unless mandated by law and subject to stringent containment and disposal procedures. Firefighting training mandates the use of non-fluorinated alternatives, such as synthetic fluorine-free foam, with spent foam collection practices. Effective Dec. 1, 2025, the Office of the State Fire Marshal is authorized to establish implementation rules for this regulation.

Of the four sponsors of this bill, Kyle Hall proposed the most bills (29) during the 2025 regular session.

Bills in North Carolina follow a multi-step process before becoming law. A lawmaker starts by filing a bill, which is assigned to a committee for review. The bill must be read three times in each chamber. If one chamber changes the bill after the other passes it, both must agree on the final version. Once both chambers approve the same bill, it goes to the governor, who has 10 days (or 30 if the legislature is not in session) to sign, veto, or let it become law without a signature.

You can read more about the bills and other measures here.

Clampitt graduated from Rowan-Cabarrus Community College in 1976 with an AA.

Clampitt, a Republican, was elected to the North Carolina State House in 2021 to represent the state’s 119th House district, replacing previous state representative Joe Sam Queen.