WisconsinAB1312025-2026 Wisconsin Legislature (Biennial Session)HouseWALLET

An Act to renumber 281.58 (8e); to amend 281.61 (6) and 281.75 (7) (c) 2. a.; to create 66.0811 (4), 196.49 (7), 281.58 (8e) (bm), 281.75 (5m), 292.11 (9) (g), 292.315, 292.32 and 292.34 of the statutes; Relating to: programs and requirements to address PFAS.

Sponsored By: David Armstrong (Republican), Brent Jacobson (Republican), Elijah Behnke (Republican), Benjamin Franklin (Republican), Chanz Green (Republican), Rick Gundrum (Republican), Daniel Knodl (Republican), Dave Maxey (Republican), Jeffrey Mursau (Republican), Todd Novak (Republican), Jerry O'Connor (Republican), John Spiros (Republican), David Steffen (Republican), Rob Swearingen (Republican), Duke Tucker (Republican), Ron Tusler (Republican)

Signed by Governor

Administrative rules -- RevisionsAirportEnvironmental protectionFire departmentHygiene laboratoryLandMunicipality -- FinanceNatural ResourcesDepartment of -- Environmental protectionPublic Service CommissionPublic employeeReportsSolid waste managementStudiesUniversity of Wisconsin -- RegentsWater -- PollutionWater supplyWaterworksWells

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

12 provisions identified: 6 benefits, 1 costs, 5 mixed.

More help for contaminated water supplies

Wisconsin expands PFAS water assistance for eligible private wells, noncommunity supplies, schools, and licensed child-care providers. Noncommunity supplies can receive up to 60% of eligible costs, or 100% if nonprofit-owned. Eligible schools and child-care providers receive 100%, but cannot qualify when served by municipal water. Private-supply assistance has income-based rates of 100%, 80%, 60%, and 25%, measured against county median household income. Caps are $30,000 for well construction, reconstruction, or public-water connections; and $16,000 for alternative private-supply connections or well abandonment. Treatment installation is capped at $10,000, and covered equipment includes a filtration device and up to two replacement filters. Recipients owe no copayment. Generally, certified testing must show PFAS above an applicable state or federal standard, recommended standard, or health advisory level. Private-well treatment can qualify even below a standard, but requires compliant well construction and pump installation, with PFAS no higher than twice the applicable limit.

Compensation barred for claimant-caused well contamination

A private-water-supply claim is barred if the claimant intentionally or negligently introduced the contaminant into the well. The same bar applies when someone who directly benefits from payment introduced it intentionally or negligently.

Residents gain contamination testing and maps

The state must conduct additional voluntary PFAS testing during the 2025–27 budget period. State agencies and the University of Wisconsin System must coordinate studies of PFAS treatment, disposal, destruction, cleanup, and movement through specified waters. They must create an interactive map showing available test results and whether each exceeds applicable state or federal standards. A progress report is due within two years, and the map and study reports within four years after this provision takes effect. Map data cannot include personally identifying information, except data about municipal entities legally required to test and disclose results.

State can clean up unassigned contamination

The Department of Natural Resources can investigate and clean up PFAS sites when no responsible party is identified. It can also act when the responsible party qualifies for the law's specified exemption. The department may hire contractors for this work. It must prioritize sites with the highest PFAS levels or greatest threats to health or the environment.

Utilities gain tools for contaminated water

Municipal utilities and metropolitan sewerage districts may pay up to 50% of regular customers' PFAS pretreatment or source-reduction costs. The work must cost less than otherwise-required treatment-plant upgrades, and the utility's governing body must approve the costs. Utilities may also begin emergency repairs, temporary treatment, or other emergency work for contaminated water without prior Public Service Commission approval. They must promptly notify the commission and submit required information within 30 days after work starts.

Local governments gain contaminated-property liability relief

Local governments that purchase PFAS-contaminated brownfield property can qualify for a property-liability exemption. They must enter an agreement with the Department of Natural Resources ensuring that the law's property-liability conditions are satisfied. Buying contaminated property alone does not provide the exemption.

Testing labs gain training and grants

The state must arrange training and certification help for Wisconsin labs already certified to test for other contaminants. PFAS-certified labs receive help aimed at reducing testing costs and wait times. Wisconsin labs certified for PFAS, or seeking certification, can also seek equipment grants covering up to 40% of equipment costs. Grants are not guaranteed, and all eligible labs must have an equal opportunity to receive one. The State Laboratory of Hygiene must report progress by August 31, 2027.

Cleanup exemptions retain safeguards and duties

The law excuses specified property owners, waste spreaders and handlers, fire departments, permit holders, and municipal landfills from listed PFAS response duties. Covered spreading generally must have followed permits or licenses that did not address PFAS; property-owner eligibility also depends on land use and discharge history. Industrial possessors receive relief only from remedial cleanup, not immediate or interim actions. Municipal landfills generally must operate approved treatment for all PFAS-contaminated leachate sent to public treatment works by December 31, 2032. They can instead demonstrate unavailable technology or meaningful progress; qualifying agreements with other facilities can fulfill treatment duties. Landfill-origin discharges, specified PFAS-using businesses and industrial-waste spreading, airport fire training or testing, and permit violations fall outside the relevant exemptions. Exempt parties must still allow access for state response work.

Sludge spreading faces new contamination safeguards

Sewage-sludge spreading permits must include PFAS limits or conditions when at least two samples average above 20 micrograms per kilogram. The threshold measures combined PFOA and PFOS, two PFAS chemicals; this requirement does not apply once an enforcement standard is established. Within 120 days after this provision takes effect, the state must issue a general monitoring permit for existing permittees lacking PFAS conditions. Individual permits must be changed when general-permit monitoring results exceed the same combined threshold.

Test wells require added state approval

Test wells need state approval before construction in special well-casing-depth areas designated partly or fully because of PFAS. The Department of Natural Resources must review and approve drilling, casing, and filling-and-sealing plans and specifications.

Cleanup grants require local matching funds

Municipalities can get state grants for PFAS sampling, water-system work, investigations, and cleanup, with priority for private-well projects. Their governing bodies must approve assistance agreements. Local matches must equal at least 20% of the state award for most activities, or 40% for public-water treatment or well construction. Matches can include cash, in-kind contributions, municipal crews' work, or other approved sources. Where federal law allows, water-loan programs must use a qualifying small or disadvantaged receiving area's status when contamination requires service beyond municipal boundaries.

Airport cleanup grants carry a deductible

Eligible public-use airport owners, operators, and industrial possessors can seek grants to address PFAS discharges. Applicants must notify and consult with the Department of Natural Resources before applying and comply with applicable cleanup duties. Awards may come in phases and depend on available funds and project progress. Each phase has a deductible equal to 20% of its budgeted eligible expenses. Only expenses incurred after the phase agreement qualify, with reimbursement after phase completion and written state approval of the completion report.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Cosponsors

Rachael Cabral-Guevara
Republican • Senate
Mary Felzkowski
Republican • Senate
Joel Kitchens
Republican • House
Steve Nass
Republican • Senate
Greta Neubauer
Democratic • House
Lori Palmeri
Democratic • House
Mark Spreitzer
Democratic • Senate
Cory Tomczyk
Republican • Senate
Eric Wimberger
Republican • Senate

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 93 • No: 0

House vote • 2/19/2026

Read a third time and passed, Ayes 93, Noes 0