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Green Bay Reporter

Wednesday, September 10, 2025

Sen. Wimberger authors Wisconsin Senate bill on PFAS management and remediation

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

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

A new bill authored by State Sen. Eric Wimberger in the Wisconsin Senate seeks to establish programs and protocols for managing and testing PFAS contamination in environmental settings, according to the Wisconsin State Senate.

According to the Wisconsin State Legislature's official website, the bill was described as follows: "programs and requirements to address PFAS".

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

In essence, this bill addresses the management, testing, and remediation of perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in various environmental settings, primarily by establishing new programs and protocols. It mandates the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to create several grant programs, including one for municipalities to test and manage PFAS contamination in water systems, another for nonmunicipal entities and landfills for testing and disposal, and an innocent landowner grant program for those inadvertently affected by PFAS. It also sets spending priorities for small or disadvantaged communities in upgrading infrastructure. Furthermore, the bill specifies conditions under which DNR can influence public works or construction projects related to PFAS concerns, introduces limitations on actions DNR may take regarding spills, and provides support for testing laboratories through grants and training. Moreover, it mandates studies on PFAS treatment and impacts, and establishes specific reporting requirements on these new measures, set to be carried out over a three-year period. The act takes effect the day after its official publication.

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 11 other co-sponsors.

Eric Wimberger has authored or co-authored another 12 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
SB12803/14/2025Programs and requirements to address PFAS
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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