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Green Bay Reporter

Wednesday, September 10, 2025

Sen. Wimberger authors bill in Wisconsin Senate on PFAS contamination exemptions

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Eric Wimberger, Wisconsin State Senator for 2nd District | Official Facebook

Eric Wimberger, Wisconsin State Senator for 2nd District | Official Facebook

The new bill authored by State Sen. Eric Wimberger seeks to provide exemptions related to PFAS contamination to encourage cooperation with the Department of Natural Resources, according to the Wisconsin State Senate.

According to the Wisconsin State Legislature's official website, the bill was described as follows: "exempting certain persons from PFAS enforcement actions under the spills law. (FE)".

The following is our breakdown, based on the actual bill text, and may include interpretation to clarify its provisions.

In essence, this bill exempts specific individuals and entities from certain requirements under the spills law concerning perfluoroalkyl or polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) contamination, provided they allow the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to remediate the land at its expense. Exemptions apply to individuals spreading biosolids or wastewater contaminated by PFAS in compliance with permits, landowners where such materials were spread, fire departments, public-use airports, or municipalities responding to emergencies or conducting training with PFAS in accordance with federal regulations, solid waste facilities accepting PFAS, and those owning or managing land not originally contaminated by PFAS, unless they also manage the original contamination site. This relief aims to encourage cooperation with the DNR in addressing PFAS environmental impacts.

The bill was co-authored by Representative Jeffrey Mursau (Republican-36th District), Senator Mary Felzkowski (Republican-12th District), Senator Steve L. Nass (Republican-11th District), Senator Cory Tomczyk (Republican-29th District). It was co-sponsored by Representative David Armstrong (Republican-67th District), Representative Elijah R. Behnke (Republican-6th District), and Representative Benjamin Franklin (Republican-88th District), along 12 other co-sponsors.

Eric Wimberger has authored or co-authored another 11 bills since the beginning of the 2025 session, with none of them being enacted.

Wimberger graduated from St. Cloud State University in 2001 with a BS and again in 2005 from Marquette Law School with a JD.

Wimberger, a Republican, was elected to the Wisconsin State Senate in 2025 to represent the state's 2nd Senate district, replacing previous state senator Robert Cowles.

In Wisconsin, the legislative process starts when a senator, constituent, group, or agency proposes an idea for a bill. After drafting, the bill is introduced, numbered, and referred to a committee for review and public input. If approved, it moves through three readings and votes in both the Senate and Assembly. Once both chambers pass the same version, the bill goes to the governor, who can sign it, veto it, or let it become law without a signature. Only a small share of bills introduced each session ultimately become law. You can learn more about the Wisconsin legislative process here.

Bills Introduced by Eric Wimberger in Wisconsin Senate During 2025 Regular Session

Bill NumberDate IntroducedShort Description
SB12703/14/2025Exempting certain persons from PFAS enforcement actions under the spills law. (FE)
SB8402/26/2025Exempting certain conveyances between grandparents and grandchildren from the real estate transfer fee. (FE)
SB8002/26/2025Statutory recognition of specialized treatment court and commercial court dockets
SB5502/21/2025Prohibiting the Department of Justice from using the legal services of nongovernmental employees. (FE)
SB5102/21/2025Flags flown at state and local government buildings and eliminating a related administrative rule

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