Researcher: SL Page 1 5/4/23
OLR Bill Analysis
sSB 1042 (File 220, as amended by Senate "A")*
AN ACT AUTHORIZING THE DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMIC AND
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT TO PROVIDE CAPACITY BUILDING
GRANTS TO CONNECTICUT BROWNFIELD LAND BANKS.
SUMMARY
This bill expands the Remedial Action and Redevelopment
Municipal Grant Program’s scope to include grants for Connecticut
brownfield land bank (CBLB) operational expenses. It authorizes the
Department of Economic and Community Development (DECD)
commissioner to award capacity-building grants of up to $50,000 from
the program for operational expenses to any CBLB that (1) matches the
funding award and (2) has not previously been awarded a capacity-
building grant under this program.
Under the bill, a CBLB may apply to DECD, in a way the
commissioner determines, for a capacity-building grant of any amount
the CBLB specifies up to the maximum amount. The CBLB must include
any information the commissioner needs to determine whether to
award the grant in whole or in part, including information to verify that
the CBLB has sufficient matching funds and has not previously been
awarded a capacity-building grant under this program.
The bill also makes numerous conforming changes (§§ 2-5).
*Senate Amendment “A” changes the requirements a CBLB must
meet to qualify for a capacity-building grant under the Remedial Action
and Redevelopment Municipal Grant Program, including by removing
a requirement that a CBLB enter into land banking agreements with at
least two municipalities.
EFFECTIVE DATE: October 1, 2023
BACKGROUND 2023SB-01042-R01-BA.DOCX
Researcher: SL Page 2 5/4/23
Remedial Action and Redevelopment Municipal Grant Program
DECD’s Remedial Action and Redevelopment Municipal Grant
Program provides grants of up to $4 million to municipalities, CBLBs,
and economic development agencies for e ligible brownfield
remediation or assessment projects and administrative expenses of up
to 5% of the grant awarded.
Connecticut Brownfield Land Banks
The law authorizes DECD to certify Connecticut non -stock
corporations as CBLBs. They can be established to, among other things,
(1) acquire, retain, remediate, and sell brownfields to benefit
municipalities and (2) educate government officials, community
leaders, economic development agencies, and nonprofit organizations
on best practices for redeveloping brownfields (CGS §§ 32-771 & 32-
773).
COMMITTEE ACTION
Commerce Committee
Joint Favorable Substitute
Yea 16 Nay 8 (03/09/2023)