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.

Review – Bills Introduced – 2-4-26

Yesterday, with both the House and Senate in Washington, there were 64 bills introduced. One of those bills may receive additional coverage in this blog:

HR 7384 To amend the Toxic Substances Control Act to prohibit the use of hydrogen fluoride (hydrofluoric acid) at petroleum refineries, and for other purposes. Waters, Maxine [Rep.-D-CA-43] 

Space Geek Legislation

I would like to mention one bill under my limited Space Geek coverage in this blog:

HR 7379 To amend title 51, United States Code, to provide the National Aeronautics and Space Administration authority to detect, identify, monitor, and track unmanned aircraft systems, and for other purposes. Stevens, Haley M. [Rep.-D-MI-11]

For more information on these bills, including legislative history for similar bills in the 118^th Congress, as well as a mention in passing of two bills limiting the use of facial recognition, see my article at CFSN Detailed Analysis - https://patrickcoyle.substack.com/p/bills-introduced-2-4-26 - subscription required.