LANSING, Mich., April 23, 2026 — This week, state Rep. Penelope Tsernoglou (D-East Lansing) hosted a press conference to introduce a legislative package, House Bills 5890-5898, that would regulate and provide relief for Michiganders affected by toxic PFAS chemicals. Joining her were state Reps. Jenifer Conlin (D-Ann Arbor Charter Twp.), Phil Skaggs (D-East Grand Rapids) and representatives from the Great Lakes PFAS Action Network. The package is a part of Michigan House Democrats’ broader push to promote a healthier Michigan for everyone.

“We know that how we treat our environment has a profound impact on our physical health,” Tsernoglou said. “For too long, communities across our state have been plagued by PFAS contamination, and the Michigan legislature hasn’t done anything about it. That’s why I am once again sponsoring legislation that will remove PFAS from household products — to protect Michiganders from the harms of these dangerous chemicals.”

The legislative package is a reintroduction of a similar package introduced during the previous legislative term. The package includes bills to better test for PFAS contamination, providing relief to farmers directly impacted by PFAS and a ban on these harmful chemicals in household products, including cosmetics and personal care products.

“My bill in this package will ensure no Michigan family is left in the dark when dangerous PFAS contamination is found in a private well,” Skaggs said. “Making testing more transparent is critical to protecting Michiganders from the dangers of these chemicals on people’s health. At the end of the day, this is about making a healthier Michigan.”

“A key piece of this package is the relief we are providing for farmers affected by PFAS,” Conlin said. “A farm in my community was forced to shut down due to PFAS contamination. Unfortunately, we know all too well how harmful these chemicals can be, which is why I am proud to introduce relief for our impacted farmers as a part of this package. With a chaotic global market and the war in Iran, rising fertilizer prices and poor decision making coming down from Washington that burden our farmers, it is more important than ever to support them.”

“This PFAS package takes a comprehensive, commonsense approach to protecting Michigan families, addressing everyday sources of exposure and the ways PFAS can quietly spread into our soil and water,” said state Rep. Denise Mentzer (D-Mt. Clemens), a sponsor of the package. “My bill is a practical, science‑based step that requires PFAS testing before sewage sludge or sludge-derived materials are land-applied, helping prevent contamination before it reaches groundwater, farmland and the communities that rely on them.”

“At their core, these bills are about making sure Michigan has the capacity to regulate and enforce rules to protect Michiganders’ health, our waterways and our food systems,” Tsernoglou concluded. “This first step on the path towards a healthier environment is critical as we continue to fight for our vision of a healthier Michigan for all Michiganders.”

A recording of the press conference can be viewed here.

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