Representative Kate Hogan is in her seventh term as State Representative for the Third Middlesex District. Recently named Speaker Pro Tempore, a member of Speaker Mariano’s Leadership team, she works as a bridge between House leadership and members to tackle the state’s biggest issues. In past terms, Representative Hogan served as House Division Leader, House Chair of the Joint Committee on Public Health and a co-chair of the Elder Caucus, where she was instrumental in shepherding landmark public health legislation into law.
Addressing PFAS contamination is a top priority for Rep. Hogan. When MassDEP detected per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) levels above state standards in the public water supplies of towns in her district, Rep. Hogan helped town leaders secure funding and assistance for PFAS remediation. She also filed legislation to establish the PFAS Interagency Task Force with the mission of bringing together stakeholders across the state to work towards solutions.
Co-chaired by Rep. Hogan, the Task Force released its final report and recommendations in April 2022. The report offers an expansive review of PFAS in the Commonwealth and recommended legislative and regulatory action to address PFAS use and contamination. The report is a culmination of nine hearings held by the Task Force, which convened researchers, advocacy groups, community members, municipal officials, state agencies, public water systems, legislators, and other stakeholders and experts on the issues surrounding PFAS.
The FY23 budget includes funding for MassDEP and DPH to carry out many of the recommendations made by the Task Force. In May 2022, Rep. Hogan joined Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey to announce that Massachusetts would be filing a lawsuit against 13 manufacturers of PFAS.
An omnibus bill to effectively address PFAS contamination in the Commonwealth is forthcoming.