Liability exemption; handling of petroleum-contaminated soil under contract with the department of transportation

Wis. Stat. § 895.56
in effect
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(1) In this section: (a) “Person” means an individual, owner, operator, corporation, limited liability company, partnership, association, municipality, interstate agency, state agency, as defined in s. 1.12 (1) (b), or federal agency. (b) “Petroleum-contaminated soil” means soil contaminated with material derived from petroleum, natural gas or asphalt deposits, including gasoline, diesel and heating fuels, liquified petroleum gases, lubricants, waxes, greases and petrochemicals. (2) A person is immune from liability arising under s. 292.11 and from any liability for the removal or remedying of petroleum-contaminated soil or for damages resulting from the person’s actions or omissions relating to petroleum-contaminated soil if all of the following apply: (a) The acts or omissions by the person occurred while performing a contract entered into under s. 84.06 (2), including acts or omissions by any person who has a direct contractual relationship with the prime contractor, as defined in s. 779.01 (2) (d), under a contract entered into under s. 84.06 (2) to perform labor or furnish materials. (b) In the course of performing a contract described in par. (a), petroleum-contaminated soil was encountered on the property on which the contracted activity is taking place, and the petroleum-contaminated soil cannot be avoided in performing the contract. (c) The acts or omissions involving petroleum-contaminated soil on the property were required by reasonably precise specifications in the contract entered into under s. 84.06 (2), and the acts or omissions conformed to those specifications, or were otherwise directed by the department of transportation or by the department of natural resources. (3) Subsection (2) does not apply to any person to whom any of the following applies: (a) The person brought petroleum-contaminated soil onto the property or otherwise caused the initial contamination of the property with a hazardous substance, as defined in s. 292.01 (5). (b) The person’s act or omission constitutes gross negligence or involves reckless, wanton or intentional misconduct. (c) The person fails to warn the department of transportation or the department of natural resources about the presence of petroleum-contaminated soil encountered at the site, if the petroleum-contaminated soil was reasonably known to the person but not to the department of transportation or to the department of natural resources. (d) The person is under a previous or separate contract with a state agency, as defined in s. 1.12 (1) (b), solely to remove or remedy petroleum-contaminated soil or hazardous substances on the property. (e) The person causes personal injury or wrongful death.
Source: WI Statutes (Official Site)URL: https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/document/statutes/895.56Fetched: 10/7/2026