Review – HR 7384 Introduced – HF Prohibition

Last month Rep Waters (D,CA) introduced HR 7384, the Preventing Mass Casualties from Release of Hydrofluoric Acid at Refineries Act of 2026. The bill would prohibit the use of hydrogen fluoride (HF) in oil refineries. No new funding is provided by the bill.

This bill is similar to HR 10441, the Preventing Mass Casualties from Release of Hydrofluoric Acid at Refineries Act of 2024, that was introduced by Waters in December 2024. No action was taken in the House on that bill.

Moving Forward

While Waters is not a member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee to which this bill was assigned for consideration, one of her six cosponsors, Rep Barragán (D,CA), is a member. This could mean that there would be sufficient influence to see the bill considered in Committee. Unfortunately, this bill is very partisan and would be expected to be vehemently opposed by many Republicans. There is effectively no chance that this bill will be considered in the 119^th Congress.

 

For more information on the provisions of this bill, including a commentary on a possible alternative legislative solution to the problem, see my article at CFSN  Detailed Analysis - https://patrickcoyle.substack.com/p/hr-7384-introduced-hf-prohibition - subscription required.