Bills · S 4181
IN COMMITTEE· 119TH CONGRESS
Senate BillS 4181Environmental Protection
Plastic Pellet Free Waters Act
INTRO MAR 24· LAST ACTION MAR 24
READING
2MIN
COSPONSORS
9
READER REACTIONS0 TOTAL
NO VOTES YET · BE THE FIRST
- Introduced only
LEGISLATIVE PROGRESS
STEP 2 / 8Introduced
In Committee
Reported
Passed Senate
Passed House
Conference
To President
Became Law
WHAT THE BILL DOES
AI-writtenThis bill is important because plastic pellets, often called "nurdles," are a major source of microplastic pollution in our environment. When these tiny plastic pieces escape from factories or during transport, they end up in rivers, lakes, and oceans. They can be mistaken for food by wildlife, causing internal injuries or starvation, and they don't break down, accumulating in ecosystems.
If this bill becomes law, it would create a clear national standard to prevent this specific type of pollution, potentially leading to significantly cleaner waterways and healthier marine life. If it doesn't pass, the problem of plastic pellet pollution would likely continue, relying on existing, potentially less comprehensive, regulations or voluntary industry efforts.
KEY PROVISIONS
4AI-extractedPROVISION 01
Requires the EPA Administrator to issue a final rule within 60 days of the bill becoming law.
This ensures rapid action to address plastic pellet pollution.
PROVISION 02
Prohibits the discharge of plastic pellets and other raw plastic materials into wastewater and runoff from facilities that produce plastic polymers or mold plastic products.
This directly targets specific industrial sources of plastic pellet pollution.
PROVISION 03
Prohibits the discharge of plastic pellets from any "point source" that makes, uses, packages, or transports these materials.
This expands the prohibition to cover a broader range of potential sources beyond just production facilities.
PROVISION 04
Mandates that these discharge prohibitions be included in all wastewater, stormwater, and other permits issued by the EPA and state programs.
This makes the prohibition legally enforceable through existing environmental permitting systems.
SPONSORSHIP
1 + 9
D· Illinois
YRS IN OFFICE
43
BILLS LED
136
COSPONSOR BREAKDOWNBIPARTISAN · 0%
DEM 9 REP 0 IND 0
ACTION TIMELINE
2 EVENTSMAR 24
Introduced in Senate
MAR 24
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works. (text: CR S1583)
BILL INFO
TypeSenate Bill
NumberS 4181
Congress119th
StatusIn Committee
IntroducedMar 24, 2026
Last actionMar 24, 2026
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IN COMMITTEE· 119TH CONGRESS · ENVIRONMENT AND PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE · INTRODUCED MAR 24, 2026
Senate BillS 4181Environmental Protection
Plastic Pellet Free Waters Act
INTRODUCED MAR 24, 2026· LAST ACTION MAR 24, 2026
PASSAGE CHANCES
—%
READING
2 min
COSPONSORS
9
COMPLEXITY
Moderate
