Connecticut Senate Bill SB00119

Connecticut 2020 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/13/20
• Refer: 2/13/20

Caption

An Act Requiring The Use Of Clean Air Act Fee Funds For Certain Brownfield Remediation Programs.

Impact

The proposed bill is anticipated to bolster state laws related to environmental management and urban renewal. By channeling Clean Air Act fee funds towards local brownfield remediation efforts, SB00119 stands to improve public health and safety by eliminating hazardous conditions in these previously contaminated areas. Additionally, this appropriation of funds could potentially stimulate economic development within municipalities as cleaned-up sites become available for redevelopment and repurposing.

Summary

Senate Bill 00119 aims to amend existing legislation regarding the allocation of funds acquired through the Clean Air Act fee on motor vehicle registrations. The bill mandates that these funds be specifically directed towards brownfield remediation programs that are administered by municipalities. This legislative proposal signifies a commitment to enhancing local environmental initiatives by ensuring that financial resources from vehicle registration fees contribute directly to cleaning up contaminated brownfield sites.

Contention

While the bill is generally perceived as a positive step towards environmental remediation, there may be points of contention surrounding its implementation. Stakeholders might express concerns regarding the adequacy of the funds generated through the Clean Air Act fees and whether they will sufficiently cover the extensive costs associated with comprehensive brownfield clean-ups. Moreover, there are potential debates over prioritization—determining which municipalities receive funding first and how these decisions are made could spark discussions among legislators and community advocates.