Pulling back on PFAS law would be a cowardly retreat from a nation-leading solution

Minnesota Legislators are advocating this legislative session for new spending and borrowing for infrastructure projects in their districts. It’s an important process. But as conversations about spending ramp up, we must also talk about hypocrisy.

In 2023, Minnesota passed Amara’s Law. On January 1, 2025, implementation began. This landmark policy is the strongest ban on toxic PFAS “forever chemicals” in the nation. Its purpose is clear: protect human health, safeguard our environment, and reduce the enormous financial burden PFAS contamination has placed on taxpayers.

PFAS chemicals don’t break down. They’re called “forever chemicals” for a reason. They accumulate in our bodies, our water and our soil. They’re linked to cancer, thyroid disease, immune system suppression, reproductive harm and other serious health concerns.

Yet since the law passed, powerful industry groups and manufacturers have worked to dismantle it. They push for loopholes, exemptions and extended timelines that would allow them to continue selling products in Minnesota that contain these toxic chemicals. They argue for flexibility and feasibility, and about cost. Rep. Josh Heintzeman, R-Nisswa, is carrying a bill (HF4257) that would further delay the implementation of the requirement that companies selling products with PFAS report that information to the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency. This information is meant to be publicly available so consumers can investigate their purchases and make informed decisions.

They’re really arguing for more time to profit.

Simultaneously, legislators are requesting millions of taxpayer dollars for PFAS-related cleanup. Communities across Minnesota need new water treatment systems, filtration upgrades, landfill mitigation, and other infrastructure improvements to address contamination. These investments are necessary. Clean water is not optional.

But we cannot ignore the toxic cycle we are trapped in.

Chemical lobbyists are pushing to weaken Amara’s Law so they can continue selling products that contaminate our water and poison our bodies. Those products reach the end of their life and end up in landfills. Landfills leach into groundwater. PFAS moves into drinking water supplies. Minnesotans are exposed. 

Then taxpayers are asked to foot the bill for cleanup.

It’s backwards, irresponsible and entirely preventable.

PFAS is a Minnesota-made problem. These chemicals were developed by 3M. Internal chemical company documents for multiple PFAS manufacturers dating back seven decades show that manufacturers knew PFAS was toxic and persistent yet continued to produce and sell it. We are still living with the consequences.

The world is watching how we respond. Japan, England and France have come to Minnesota to film documentaries about Amara’s Law. Lawmakers from New South Wales, Australia, have studied our approach. Minnesota has become a global model for confronting PFAS contamination at its source rather than endlessly paying for cleanup.

To weaken or delay this law now would send the wrong message — that when billion-dollar industries apply pressure, public health takes a back seat.

Amara’s Law is not extreme. It’s measured and practical. The law includes a clear pathway for exemptions for products deemed essential for the health, safety and functioning of society. If a manufacturer believes its product is essential, it can make that case. That’s reasonable and balanced policymaking.

What’s not reasonable is allowing widespread, non-essential uses of PFAS to continue simply because companies do not want to act. These companies and coalitions have testified in the House Environment and Natural Resources Finance and Policy Committee, claiming that it’s too tough to comply. These same billion dollar companies that promise cutting edge innovations to make our lives easier can’t seem to disclose what they are using in their products. 

Delaying implementation will not make the problem cheaper. It won’t make contamination disappear. It won’t protect communities. It will only increase long-term costs — both financial and human.

Legislators are not beholden to billionaires or multinational corporations. They answer to the people of Minnesota. We expect safe drinking water and children’s products free of toxic chemicals, and we’re tired of paying for corporate pollution.

We have six weeks left in the legislative session. There are real issues demanding attention: housing, health care, education and infrastructure. Corporate welfare disguised as regulatory “relief” should not be on the agenda.

To the legislators facing pressure to vote to carve up Amara’s Law: Minnesota has already done the hard work of passing a nation-leading law. Implementation is underway and going well. There is no justification for going backward.

As we look toward 2026, Minnesotans will remember who stood up for clean water and who stood with corporate polluters. They will remember who protected public health and who prioritized industry profits.

Minnesota chose to lead. We should not retreat now.