PFAS (2019-2022)

These companion bills were introduced by the Joint Committee for Review of Administrative Rules, as required by law, after the committee voted to partially suspend the DNR’s emergency rule WA-06-20 (E) on firefighting foam containing PFAS.

• Jan. 28, 2021
  SB 34 Bill Text and Legislative History
• Jan. 25, 2021
  AB 13 Bill Text and Legislative History
• Jan. 14, 2021
  JCRAR Suspends DNR’s Foam Rule
• Sep. 09, 2020
  Firefighting Foam Emergency Rulemaking

Final status: Enacted into law, without proposed PFAS provisions.

These companion bills constituted the executive budget act of the 2021 Legislature. In his proposed budget for the 2021-23 fiscal biennium, Governor Tony Evers included the following provisions related to PFAS, all of which were removed by the Legislature:

• Allocate $1.6 million for 11 positions at the Department of Natural Resources to develop and implement a PFAS action plan.
• Allocate $2.1 million for statewide PFAS monitoring and testing.
• Provide $20 million for a municipal grant program for PFAS testing and remediation.
• Add $1 million in FY 2021-22 for the collection and disposal of firefighting foam that contains PFAS.
• Require various PFAS environmental standards.

• Feb. 16, 2021
  AB 68 Bill Text and Legislative History
• Feb. 16, 2021
  SB 111 Bill Text and Legislative History

Final Status: Failed to pass. Recommended for passage by committee in both houses; no floor vote.

According to the Legislative Reference Bureau: “This bill requires the Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection to collect and store or dispose of unused fire fighting foams that contain perfluoroalkyl or polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and that are voluntarily surrendered. The bill allows DATCP to contract with a third party to conduct the collection and storage or disposal. The bill requires DATCP or the third party administering the collection program to prioritize collecting from the state and from cities, villages, towns, and counties.”

• Mar. 05, 2021
  AB 140 Text and Legislative History
• Feb. 24, 2021
  SB 156 Bill Text and Legislative History

Final status: Failed to concur in. Passed the Assembly 60-38; not considered by the Senate.

This bill would create a municipal grant program, administered by DNR, to address concentrations of PFAS found in local communities. The grants would be funded at $10 million annually from federal funds provided under the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021.

• Jun. 08, 2021
  AB 392 Bill Text and Legislative History