Wisconsin Republicans signed off Tuesday on a bill that would impose new restrictions on firefighting foam containing PFAS chemicals in the hopes of reducing soil and water contamination, despite Democrats’ complaints that the proposal would accomplish next to nothing.
The Senate approved the Republican-authored measure with a voice vote Tuesday afternoon. The Assembly followed suit with its own voice vote later in the day.
The bill now goes to Democratic Gov. Tony Evers, who can sign it into law or veto it. Evers’ spokeswoman, Melissa Baldauff, didn’t respond to an email asking whether he supports the bill.
The governor has made improving water quality a priority, though; he signed an executive order in August directing the Department of Natural Resources to develop regulatory limits on PFAS. The department’s board is set to vote Wednesday on whether to authorize the department to begin drafting those standards.