Us Congress 2023-2024 Regular Session

Us Congress Senate Bill SB2959

Caption

Brownfields Reauthorization Act of 2023

Impact

The bill proposes to increase the maximum grant amount from $500,000 to $1,000,000 per site, thereby providing more substantial support for remediation efforts. Additionally, it introduces measures to reduce the complexity of the application process for grants, making it more accessible for small communities. These changes are expected to empower local governments and organizations to better engage with and represent their communities' needs in the brownfield redevelopment process, fostering local economic growth and public health improvements.

Summary

SB2959, also known as the Brownfields Reauthorization Act of 2023, aims to amend the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980 to reinvigorate brownfields revitalization funding. The proposed legislation seeks to streamline and enhance the application process for grants and loans to assist small and disadvantaged communities in addressing and remediating brownfield sites, which are often contaminated properties requiring cleanup before they can be redeveloped or reused.

Contention

Notable points of contention around SB2959 may arise regarding the allocation of funds and the prioritization of projects. Some stakeholders could argue about the sufficiency of the proposed funding levels compared to the vast number of brownfield sites across the country, which may result in a competitive environment that doesn't meet all community needs. Questions about the effective implementation of community engagement strategies might also surface, especially regarding how well local voices can influence decision-making in the application process for these critical funding opportunities.

Companion Bills

No companion bills found.

Previously Filed As

US SB347

Brownfields Reauthorization Act of 2025This bill extends through FY2030 and modifies the Brownfields Program under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980 (CERCLA). The Brownfields Program is administered by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to provide grants and technical assistance to states, communities, tribes, and other entities to assess, clean up, and reuse contaminated properties.First, the bill expands eligibility for Brownfields Program resources to tax-exempt organizations defined under section 501(c)(6) of the Internal Revenue Code, which are organizations that are not organized for profit and do not provide net earnings to private shareholders or individuals (e.g., chambers of commerce).Additionally, the billincreases to $1 million the maximum grant amount that the EPA may provide for brownfield remediation per site,removes the 5% cap that a grant recipient may use for administrative costs,reduces the cost-sharing requirement for grant recipients from 20% to 10%,requires the EPA to waive cost-sharing requirements for grant recipients located in small communities or disadvantaged areas,authorizes the use of grants by a state or Indian tribe for the implementation of a response program,modifies the criteria used to rank grant applications by requiring the consideration of whether the applicant has a plan to engage a diverse set of local groups and organizations that represent the views of the local community directly affected by the proposed brownfield project, andrequires the EPA to report on and update application ranking criteria and the approval process.

US HB6438

Brownfields Redevelopment Tax Incentive Reauthorization Act of 2023

US HB815

Brownfields Redevelopment Tax Incentive Reauthorization Act of 2025

US SB3891

Economic Development Reauthorization Act of 2024

US SB1203

Peace Corps Reauthorization Act of 2023

US HB3292

Brownfields Broadband Deployment Act

US HB6093

Weather Research and Forecasting Innovation Reauthorization Act of 2023 Weather Act Reauthorization Act of 2023

US SB2581

Secure Rural Schools Reauthorization Act of 2023

US SB1111

ADVANCE Act of 2023 Accelerating Deployment of Versatile, Advanced Nuclear for Clean Energy Act of 2023

US HB2482

NTIA Reauthorization Act of 2025 National Telecommunications and Information Administration Reauthorization Act of 2025

Similar Bills

No similar bills found.