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Bill115th CongressFiled Mar 28, 2017Environmental Protection
H.R. 1758

Brownfields Reauthorization Act of 2017

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What it doesSummary reported to house amended, part i (Nov 21, 2017)

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.

What just happenedNov 21, 2017

Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. H. Rept. 115-419, Part I.

Who’s behind it

Rep. Esty, Elizabeth H. [D-CT-5](D-CT)Sponsor
3 cosponsors2 D1 R
Read on Congress.gov
3cosponsors2committees12actions5related bills5subjects
  1. Nov 21, 2017CommitteeH12200

    Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. H. Rept. 115-419, Part I.

    Transportation and Infrastructure Committee
  2. Nov 21, 2017Committee5000

    Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. H. Rept. 115-419, Part I.

    Transportation and Infrastructure Committee
  3. Jul 27, 2017Committee

    Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Voice Vote.

    Transportation and Infrastructure Committee
  4. Jul 27, 2017Committee

    Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment Discharged.

    Transportation and Infrastructure Committee
  5. Jul 27, 2017Committee

    Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.

    Transportation and Infrastructure Committee
  6. Mar 31, 2017Committee

    Referred to the Subcommittee on Environment.

    Environment, Manufacturing, and Critical Materials Subcommittee
  7. Mar 29, 2017Committee

    Referred to the Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment.

    Water Resources and Environment Subcommittee
  8. Mar 28, 2017IntroReferralH11100

    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.

    Transportation and Infrastructure Committee
  9. Mar 28, 2017IntroReferralH11100-A

    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.

  10. Mar 28, 2017IntroReferralH11100

    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.

    Energy and Commerce Committee
  11. Mar 28, 2017IntroReferralIntro-H

    Introduced in House

  12. Mar 28, 2017IntroReferral1000

    Introduced in House

Reported to House amended, Part INov 21, 201718

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.

Introduced in HouseMar 28, 2017

Brownfields Reauthorization Act of 2017

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.

Brownfields Reauthorization Act of 2017 — Informed