S 347 — Brownfields Reauthorization Act of 2025

Summary

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.

Bill Text

Compared against current U.S. Code AI-generated reading aid — verify against the official bill.

The bill amends the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980 to enhance funding and access for brownfields revitalization, particularly for small and disadvantaged communities, and recognizes Alaska Native Corporations as eligible entities for grants.

• 42 U.S.C. 9604(k)(1)

  other than in Alaska

  Alaska is no longer excluded from receiving brownfields revitalization grants.

• 42 U.S.C. 9604(k)(1)

  (H) a Regional Corporation or a Village Corporation (as those terms are defined in section 3 of the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (43 U.S.C. 1602));

  Regional and Village Corporations are now eligible for brownfields funding.

• 42 U.S.C. 9604(k)(3)(A)(ii)

  $500,000 → $1,000,000 for each site to be remediated.

  Increases the maximum grant amount for site remediation.

• 42 U.S.C. 9628(a)(1)(B)(i)

  or enhance → , enhance, or implement

  Expands the scope of state grant use to include new program implementation.

• 42 U.S.C. 9628(a)(3)

  2019 through 2023 → 2025 through 2030

  Extends the authorization period for appropriations to support state response programs.

• 42 U.S.C. 9604(k)(1)

  (1) or 501(c)(6)

  Allows nonprofit organizations classified under 501(c)(6) to apply for grants.

• 42 U.S.C. 9604(k)(5)(E)(i)

  up to 5 percent of the

  Removes the cap on leveraging grants for matching shares.

• 42 U.S.C. 9604(k)(6)(C)

  clause (ix) → (ix) The extent to which the applicant has a plan--(I) to engage a diverse set of local groups and organizations that effectively represent the views of the local community that will be directly affected by the proposed brownfield project; and (II) to meaningfully involve the local community described in subclause (I) in making decisions relating to the proposed brownfield project.

  Adds requirements for community engagement in grant applications.

• 42 U.S.C. 9604(k)(10)(B)(iii)

  20 percent → 10 percent

  Lowers the matching share requirement for small communities or disadvantaged areas.

• 42 U.S.C. 9628(a)(3)

  There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this subsection--(A) $50,000,000 for fiscal year 2025; (B) $55,000,000 for fiscal year 2026; (C) $60,000,000 for fiscal year 2027; (D) $65,000,000 for fiscal year 2028; (E) $70,000,000 for fiscal year 2029; and (F) $75,000,000 for fiscal year 2030.

  Increases annual funding authorization for state response programs over several fiscal years.

Action History

1. January 30, 2025

   Introduced in Senate

2. January 30, 2025

   Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.

3. February 05, 2025

   Committee on Environment and Public Works. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.

4. February 05, 2025

   Committee on Environment and Public Works. Committee consideration held. Business Meeting printed. S. Hrg. 119-267.

5. February 05, 2025

   Committee on Environment and Public Works. Reported by Senator Capito without amendment. Without written report.

6. February 05, 2025

   Committee on Environment and Public Works. Reported by Senator Capito without amendment. Without written report.

7. February 05, 2025

   Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 6.

Sponsors

• Shelley Moore Capito · Primary
• Lisa Blunt Rochester · Cosponsor

Subjects