Researcher: SL Page 1 4/7/25
OLR Bill Analysis
sHB 7085
AN ACT CONCERNING A REVIEW OF THE RELEASE -BASED
CLEANUP PROGRAM AND RELATED REGULATIONS.
SUMMARY
This bill requires the existing working group established to advise the
Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP)
commissioner on developing released-based cleanup regulations
(RBCRs; see BACKGROUND) to continue meeting after the regulations
are adopted.
Under the bill, once the RBCRs are adopted, the working group must
meet at least quarterly until February 1, 2030, to do the following:
1. evaluate the release-based cleanup program’s implementation
and efficacy and give related advice and feedback to the DEEP
commissioner and
2. review and make recommendations on the laws and regulations
related to release-based remediation of hazardous waste.
The bill allows the working group to seek public comment and
stakeholder input while conducting its review and developing its
recommendations.
Lastly, the bill requires the DEEP commissioner to report on the
working group’s findings and recommendations twice, first by
February 1, 2028, and then by February 1, 2030, to the Commerce and
Environment committees. (By law, the commissioner is a member of the
working group.)
EFFECTIVE DATE: Upon passage 2025HB-07085-R000559-BA.DOCX
Researcher: SL Page 2 4/7/25
BACKGROUND
RBCRs
Proposed RBCRs developed by the DEEP commissioner, with advice
and feedback from a working group of agency officials, legislative
leaders, and stakeholder members, are currently pending. Under
existing law, adopting these regulations will transition the state from its
transfer-based approach to property remediation (the Transfer Act) to a
release-based approach. The Regulations Review Committee rejected
them without prejudice on March 25, 2025. Once approved, the
regulations are scheduled to take effect on March 1, 2026.
Related Bill
SB 1404 (File 488), favorably reported by the Commerce Committee,
makes changes related to the state’s transition from the Transfer Act to
a release-based remediation approach, including making the new
approach effective when the RBCRs take effect, rather than on their
adoption date, and creating a new voluntary parcel-wide remediation
program.
COMMITTEE ACTION
Commerce Committee
Joint Favorable Substitute
Yea 20 Nay 0 (03/20/2025)