MADISON – Senator Eric Wimberger (R-Oconto) released the following statement after the Assembly Committee on Environment held a public hearing on Assembly Bill 130 and Assembly Bill 131, legislation he authored with Representative Jeff Mursau (R-Crivitz) to address PFAS contamination in communities across Wisconsin:
“Today’s hearing is an important step in delivering massive PFAS relief to municipalities across Wisconsin,” Senator Wimberger stated. “With a new amendment coming after months of collaboration and ongoing conversations with stakeholders, local community leaders, and the Department of Natural Resources, we are optimistic that this legislation can help communities across the state fight the scourge of PFAS contamination.
When this legislation was vetoed last session, Governor Evers was not yet supportive of protections for innocent landowners. Since that time, he has changed his mind, and we are grateful for his support as we continue to ensure these solutions can get across the finish line.”
Assembly Bill 131 creates new PFAS-specific grant programs to help communities get the resources they need to address contamination while providing new protections for victims of pollution. Assembly Bill 130 offers protections for landowners whose lands contain pollution that they did not cause.
