Bill > H1382

This bill amends Chapter 79 of the Massachusetts General Laws to add a new section, Section 5D, concerning "Brownfields." A "brownfields project site" is defined in Chapter 23G, Section 29A as a property that has been contaminated by hazardous materials. The bill's key provision is that if a property taken by the government through eminent domain (the power of the government to take private property for public use) is identified as a brownfields project site, the original owner of that land will be held responsible for the costs associated with environmental cleanup and environmental site assessment, which are also defined in Chapter 23G, Section 29A. This shifts the financial burden of cleaning up contaminated land acquired by the government from the public to the former private owner.