Brownfields Enhancement, Economic Redevelopment, and Reauthorization Act of 2017

Bill: 115-hr-3017
Sponsor: Rep. McKinley, David B. [R-WV-1]
Introduced: 2017-06-22 in the House
Policy area: Environmental Protection
Subjects: Alternative and renewable resources
Government buildings, facilities, and property
Hazardous wastes and toxic substances
Indian lands and resources rights
Land use and conservation
Oil and gas
Pollution liability
Poverty and welfare assistance
Rural conditions and development
Small towns
Tax-exempt organizations

Summary:
action_date: 2017-06-22
text: 

Brownfields Enhancement, Economic Redevelopment, and Reauthorization Act of 2017

 This bill amends the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980 (CERCLA) to: (1) revise and reauthorize brownfields revitalization funding through FY2021, and (2) reauthorize state response programs through FY2021. (Brownfields are certain commercial properties that are hindered from reuse or redevelopment due to the presence of a hazardous substance, pollutant, or contaminant.) 
Certain nonprofit organizations and community development entities are made eligible for brownfields revitalization funding.
 
The Environmental Protection Agency must establish a program to provide multipurpose grants to carry out inventory, characterization, assessment, planning, technical assistance, or remediation activities at brownfield sites.
 
The brownfield site characterization and assessment grant program and the brownfield remediation grant and loan program are revised by authorizing eligible governmental entities to receive grants and loans for property that was acquired before January 11, 2002, even if the entities do not qualify as bona fide prospective purchasers.
 
The bill increases the cap on the amount that may be given in grants and loans for each site to be remediated.
 
If a state or local government takes title to a brownfield site as a result of law enforcement activity, that government is not an owner or operator for the purposes of CERCLA.
 
The bill modifies brownfield program eligibility with respect to petroleum sites where no viable responsible party exists.
 
The bill revises leaseholder status regarding bona fide prospective purchasers.
action_date: 2017-09-11
text: 

Brownfields Enhancement, Economic Redevelopment, and Reauthorization Act of 2017

 This bill amends the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980 (CERCLA) to: (1) revise and reauthorize brownfields revitalization funding through FY2021, and (2) reauthorize state response programs through FY2021. (Brownfields are certain commercial properties that are hindered from reuse or redevelopment due to the presence of a hazardous substance, pollutant, or contaminant.) 
Certain nonprofit organizations and community development entities are made eligible for brownfields revitalization funding.
 
The Environmental Protection Agency must establish a program to provide multipurpose grants to carry out inventory, characterization, assessment, planning, technical assistance, or remediation activities at brownfield sites.
 
The brownfield site characterization and assessment grant program and the brownfield remediation grant and loan program are revised by authorizing eligible governmental entities to receive grants and loans for property that was acquired before January 11, 2002, even if the entities do not qualify as bona fide prospective purchasers.
 
The bill increases the cap on the amount that may be given in grants and loans for each site to be remediated.
 
If a state or local government takes title to a brownfield site as a result of law enforcement activity, that government is not an owner or operator for the purposes of CERCLA.
 
The bill modifies brownfield program eligibility with respect to petroleum sites where no viable responsible party exists.
 
The bill revises leaseholder status regarding bona fide prospective purchasers.
action_date: 2017-11-30
text: 
 

Brownfields Enhancement, Economic Redevelopment, and Reauthorization Act of 2017
 
(Sec. 2) This bill modifies the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980 (CERCLA) to specify if a state or local government takes title to a brownfield site as a result of law enforcement activity, that government is not an owner or operator for the purposes of CERCLA. (Brownfields are certain commercial properties that are hindered from reuse or redevelopment due to the presence of a hazardous substance, pollutant, or contaminant.) 
(Sec. 3) The bill modifies brownfield program eligibility with respect to petroleum sites where no viable responsible party exists. Specifically, it eliminates the requirement that sites be of relatively low risk. 
(Sec. 4) The bill revises leaseholder status regarding bona fide prospective purchasers. 
(Sec. 5) The bill expands CERCLA eligibility for nonprofit organizations and qualified community development entities. 
(Sec. 6) The brownfield site characterization and assessment grant program and the brownfield remediation grant and loan program are revised by authorizing eligible governmental entities to receive grants and loans for property that was acquired before January 11, 2002, even if the entities do not qualify as bona fide prospective purchasers. 
(Sec. 7) The bill increases the cap on the amount that may be given in grants and loans for each site to be remediated. 
(Sec. 8) The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) must establish a program to provide multipurpose grants to carry out inventory, characterization, assessment, planning, or remediation activities at brownfield sites. 
(Sec. 9) The bill allows grant recipients to use up to 5% of funds for administrative costs. 
(Sec. 10) The EPA must consider the production of renewable energy on brownfield sites as part of the grant application ranking process. 
(Sec. 11) The EPA is allowed to provide grants to assist small communities, Indian tribes, rural areas, or disadvantaged areas for the purpose of establishing a brownfields program. 
(Sec. 12) The bill reauthorizes brownfields revitalization funding through FY2022. 
(Sec. 13) The bill reauthorizes state response programs through FY2022.

Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-12-01
text: Received in the Senate.
action_date: 2017-11-30
text: Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
action_date: 2017-11-30
text: On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 409 - 8 (Roll no. 649). (text: CR H9539-9540)
action_date: 2017-11-30
text: Passed/agreed to in House: On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 409 - 8 (Roll no. 649).(text: CR H9539-9540)
action_date: 2017-11-30
text: Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H9559)
action_date: 2017-11-30
text: POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - At the conclusion of debate on H.R. 3017, the Chair put the question on passage of the bill, and by voice vote announced that the ayes had prevailed. Mr. Shimkus demanded the yeas and nays, and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of passage until later in the legislative day.
action_date: 2017-11-30
text: The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.
action_date: 2017-11-30
text: DEBATE - The House resumed debate on H.R. 3017.
action_date: 2017-11-30
text: DEBATE - The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H.R. 3017.
action_date: 2017-11-30
text: The rules provides 1 hour of general debate on both bills. For H.R. 3017, the bill is closed to amendments. For H.R. 3905, the rule provides for a specified amendment. The rule also provides for one motion to recommit with or without instructions on each bill.
action_date: 2017-11-30
text: Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 631. (consideration: CR H9538-9547)
action_date: 2017-11-28
text: Rules Committee Resolution H. Res. 631 Reported to House. The rules provides 1 hour of general debate on both bills. For H.R. 3017, the bill is closed to amendments. For H.R. 3905, the rule provides for a specified amendment. The rule also provides for one motion to recommit with or without instructions on each bill.
action_date: 2017-11-09
text: Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 298.
action_date: 2017-11-09
text: Committee on Transportation discharged.
action_date: 2017-11-09
text: Committee on Transportation discharged.
action_date: 2017-10-12
text: House Committee on Transportation Granted an extension for further consideration ending not later than Nov. 9, 2017.
action_date: 2017-09-11
text: House Committee on Transportation Granted an extension for further consideration ending not later than Oct. 13, 2017.
action_date: 2017-09-11
text: Reported by the Committee on Energy and Commerce. H. Rept. 115-303, Part I.
action_date: 2017-09-11
text: Reported by the Committee on Energy and Commerce. H. Rept. 115-303, Part I.
action_date: 2017-06-28
text: Ordered to be Reported by Voice Vote.
action_date: 2017-06-28
text: Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
action_date: 2017-06-23
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment.
action_date: 2017-06-23
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Environment.
action_date: 2017-06-23
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
action_date: 2017-06-22
text: Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
action_date: 2017-06-22
text: Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
action_date: 2017-06-22
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2017-06-22
text: Introduced in House