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H.R. 3017: Brownfields Enhancement, Economic Redevelopment, and Reauthorization Act of 2017

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H.R. 3017: Brownfields Enhancement, Economic Redevelopment, and Reauthorization Act of 2017

115th Congress · introduced 2017-06-22 · Environmental Protection · Latest: Received in the Senate.

federal

Follow this bill, step by step

  1. Where it came from: introduced 2017-06-22 · official record
  2. Who proposed it: Rep. McKinley, David B. [R-WV-1] · what a sponsor is
  3. What happened next: 1 recorded vote in our records. Latest: House roll call 649 (2017): On Passage, HR3017 (2017-11-30), Passed. See all
  4. Where it stands now: Received in the Senate. Not final yet: this can still change. We check for updates every day.
  5. If it becomes law and spends money: follow the money to money laws, then agencies and contracts and grants.

What does this mean?

Official title

Brownfields Enhancement, Economic Redevelopment, and Reauthorization Act of 2017

Plain summary

Brownfields Enhancement, Economic Redevelopment, and Reauthorization Act of 2017 (Sec. 2) This bill modifies the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980 (CERCLA) to specify if a state or local government takes title to a brownfield site as a result of law enforcement activity, that government is not an owner or operator for the purposes of CERCLA. (Brownfields are certain commercial properties that are hindered from reuse or redevelopment due to the presence of a hazardous substance, pollutant, or contaminant.) (Sec. 3) The bill modifies brownfield program eligibility with respect to petroleum sites where no viable responsible party exists. Specifically, it eliminates the requirement that sites be of relatively low risk. (Sec. 4) The bill revises leaseholder status regarding bona fide prospective purchasers. (Sec. 5) The bill expands CERCLA eligibility for nonprofit organizations and qualified community development entities. (Sec. 6) The brownfield site characterization and assessment grant program and the brownfield remediation grant and loan program are revised by authorizing eligible governmental entities to receive grants and loans for property that was acquired before January 11, 2002, even if the entities do not qualify as bona fide prospective purchasers. (Sec. 7) The bill increases the cap on the amount that may be given in grants and loans for each site to be remediated. (Sec. 8) The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) must establish a program to provide multipurpose grants to carry out inventory, characterization, assessment, planning, or remediation activities at brownfield sites. (Sec. 9) The bill allows grant recipients to use up to 5% of funds for administrative costs. (Sec. 10) The EPA must consider the production of renewable energy on brownfield sites as part of the grant application ranking process. (Sec. 11) The EPA is allowed to provide grants to assist small communities, Indian tribes, rural areas, or disadvantaged areas for the purpose of establishing a brownfields program. (Sec. 12) The bill reauthorizes brownfields revitalization funding through FY2022. (Sec. 13) The bill reauthorizes state response programs through FY2022.

Congressional Research Service summary (Passed House amended), quoted unchanged (nonpartisan). Read the source.

What a vote does

A “Yea” vote

If it passes both chambers and is signed, it becomes law.

A “Nay” vote

If it is not passed, current law stays as it is.

PSI Sci description of the legislative step (not an opinion).

What does this mean? (plain words)

Official text

Brownfields Enhancement, Economic Redevelopment, and Reauthorization Act of 2017

Source: Congressional Research Service summary (Passed House amended)

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The strongest published arguments

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How did my representative vote? · This bill's floor votes

Officials and money

Sponsor: Rep. McKinley, David B. [R-WV-1] · 6 cosponsors

Cost estimate: CBO cost estimate: H.R. 3017, Brownfields Enhancement, Economic Redevelopment, and Reauthorization Act of 2017 (2017-07-24)

Cosponsors on this site

Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ), Paul Tonko (D-NY)

Recorded votes

Words on this page, explained (1)
Bill
A proposed law. It becomes law only if it passes the legislature and is signed by the president or governor (or a veto is overridden).

Plain meanings written from linked sources. All words.

Sources

Record fed-us-cong115-hr3017 · catalog fed-us-congress-bills-cong115 · updated 2026-11-15 by psicol fed-bills-cong115