March 23, 2026
By Rich Davenport
Silly session is in full swing in Albany once again, and the silliness and attacks of the people sadly continues.
Late last week, the NYS Assembly passed it’s version of “Washing Machine Microfiber Filter Act”, which aims to require additional filtration devices be installed on all washing machines purchased by NY residents, starting Januar1, 2028. The bill, 2025-A4716A. is intended to reduce one of the forever chemicals of concern, PFOA – a member of the PFAS family of chemicals.
For background, PFOA is a substance that has been widely used for many decades across multiple industries with its primary function being waterproofing and preventing seepage of water and grease through clothing, packaging, upholstery and many other products. In high levels, this chemical is believed to cause severe chronic illnesses, being an identified endocrine inhibitor. Due to its extremely long half-life, this alkylated chemical, or organic substance, is viewed as a “forever chemical”, presenting a threat to the waters. A few years back, NYS adopted rigorous guidelines governing PFOA, and its related chemical PFOS, setting standards for levels detected in waters, along with 1, 4 – Dioxane.
The effects of this law, impacting all NY residents beginning in 2028, would mandate all washing machines be fitted with a microfiber filter in line before draining the water out during rinse and spin cycles. The filer would be standardized to remove particles and microparticles from the water that are larger than 100 micro-grains in size. Residential washing machines purchased on or after January 1, 2028 found not having this newly mandated device would subject the owner to a first fine of $500.00, and an order to make the machine compliant within 30-days, or another fine of $1,000.00 would be levied. The bill establishes the enforcement arm to be the NYSDEC.
Currently, no such filters are manufactured in the United States, with limited availability from a manufacturer in the United Kingdom. Currently, no washing machine sold in the United States comes equipped with such a device, and addition of such a device to any new washing machine would result in a voiding of the product’s warranty, threatening the consumer protection these manufacturer’s warranties provide.
A companion bill, 2025 – S5605C. is currently in committee in the NYS Senate. If passed, and signed into law by the governor, the act would take effect immediately.
It is unclear whether this act would impact any units purchased prior to the January 1, 2028 enforcement date.
These bills were introduced in 2025, with no media coverage to inform the people of NYS, another example of how damaging legislation seems to always slip through the cracks, denying the people’s right to express their concern, or support, of such laws. Where have the local and state media outlets been? Another example of the disservice and failure of the local media’s primary role to keep the people informed.
While the politicians project concern over the affordability crisis in NY, it appears their idea of making things “more affordable” is higher taxes, mandates and fees. It is becoming clear the only affordability they are interested in is making more affordable their ever-increasing spending binge, at the expense of all income-level people they are to serve.
The larger issue of threats to our waterways remains the antiquated, outdated and severely strained capacity of our wastewater treatment facilities, yet nothing is being done to correct this defense of our waters. Hundreds of millions of gallons of raw, untreated sewage spills into our Great Lakes every year, with an aggregated volume across all such events into the billions of gallons. Every year. Yet inaction continues as the status quo, with politicians instead favoring to further regulate and burden the people.
To read more about the specifics of this act, please visit the Bill Search section of the NYS Senate website, https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/S5605/amendment/C.