summary
Introduced
03/28/2017
03/28/2017
In Committee
07/27/2017
07/27/2017
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
12/31/2018
12/31/2018
Introduced Session
115th Congress
Bill Summary
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.
AI Summary
This bill, the Brownfields Reauthorization Act of 2017, makes several changes to the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980 (CERCLA) to modify provisions relating to brownfield remediation grants. Key provisions include: 1) allowing state or local governments that acquire brownfield sites through law enforcement activities to avoid being considered owners or operators under CERCLA; 2) expanding eligibility for brownfield program grants, including for certain nonprofit organizations and community development entities; 3) increasing the funding cap for individual brownfield remediation grants and creating a new program for multipurpose brownfield grants; 4) allowing grant recipients to use up to 5% of funds for administrative costs; and 5) reauthorizing brownfields revitalization funding and state response program funding through fiscal year 2022.
Committee Categories
Agriculture and Natural Resources, Business and Industry
Sponsors (4)
Last Action
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. H. Rept. 115-419, Part I. (on 11/21/2017)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://www.congress.gov/bill/115th-congress/house-bill/1758/all-info |
| BillText | https://www.congress.gov/115/bills/hr1758/BILLS-115hr1758ih.pdf |
| Bill | https://www.congress.gov/115/bills/hr1758/BILLS-115hr1758ih.pdf.pdf |
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