Brownfields Reauthorization Act of 2017

Bill: 115-hr-1758
Sponsor: Rep. Esty, Elizabeth H. [D-CT-5]
Introduced: 2017-03-28 in the House
Policy area: Environmental Protection
Subjects: Government buildings, facilities, and property
Hazardous wastes and toxic substances
Land use and conservation
Pollution liability
Tax-exempt organizations

Summary:
action_date: 2017-03-28
text: 

Brownfields Reauthorization Act of 201

7

 
This bill amends the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980 (CERCLA)to revise and reauthorize brownfields revitalization and state response program funding through FY2022.(Brownfields are certain commercial properties that are hindered from reuse or redevelopment due to the presence of a hazardous substance, pollutant, or contaminant.)
 
The Environmental Protection Agency must establish a program to provide multipurpose grants to carry out inventory, characterization, assessment, planning, or remediation activities at one or more brownfield sites in a proposed area.
 
Certain nonprofit organizations and community development entities are made eligible for brownfields revitalization funding. 
 
Additionally, the bill revises the brownfield site characterization and assessment grant program to allow a governmental entity to receive a grant for property acquired prior to January 11, 2002, even if the entity does not qualify as a bona fide prospective purchaser under CERCLA.

action_date: 2017-11-21
text: 

Brownfields 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 bill reauthorizes brownfields revitalization funding through FY2022. 
(Sec. 11) The bill reauthorizes state response programs through FY2022.

Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-11-21
text: Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. H. Rept. 115-419, Part I.
action_date: 2017-11-21
text: Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. H. Rept. 115-419, Part I.
action_date: 2017-07-27
text: Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Voice Vote.
action_date: 2017-07-27
text: Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment Discharged.
action_date: 2017-07-27
text: Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
action_date: 2017-03-31
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Environment.
action_date: 2017-03-29
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment.
action_date: 2017-03-28
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: 2017-03-28
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: 2017-03-28
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: 2017-03-28
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2017-03-28
text: Introduced in House