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119-hr-8739119th CongressWALLET

Brownfields Revitalization for a Better Tomorrow Act

Sponsored By: Representative Guthrie, Brett [R-KY-2]

In Committee

Summary

More federal funding and broader eligibility for brownfields cleanup. This bill raises grant caps, lets more nonprofits apply, and adds audits, technical help, and studies to speed assessment, remediation, and reuse.

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  • Small and disadvantaged communities: Grants can waive matching shares for qualifying small or disadvantaged areas and the bill funds noncompetitive technical assistance to help five covered applicants apply in FY2028 and FY2029.
  • Eligible applicants and site funding: Expands eligibility to include 501(c)(6) organizations and raises per-site remediation grants from $500,000 to $1.0 million and multipurpose grants from $1.0 million to $2.0 million, while allowing up to 10% of grant funds for demolition when approved.
  • States, tribes, and oversight: Requires States and Indian tribes to publish and annually update a location-based brownfields inventory, sets certain state-assistance funding at $46.3 million per year for FY2027–2031, and mandates EPA Inspector General audits every 2 years plus several Comptroller General studies and permitting guidance.

*Authorizes $123.5 million per year for FY2027–2031 and adjusts other program funding, increasing the federal authorization level for brownfields programs.*

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

4 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.

Bigger cleanup grants and lower local costs

If enacted, the bill would raise per-site cleanup grants or loans to $1,000,000 and raise multipurpose grant caps to $2,000,000. Site assessment grants would be limited to $500,000 per site. Recipients could use up to 10% of a grant or loan for demolition with EPA approval. The bill would let 501(c)(6) groups be eligible for brownfields help. The EPA would have to waive the local matching share when an eligible entity is in a small community or disadvantaged area. Grant ranking would favor projects on former military sites and projects linked to certain FAST Act activities.

Federal brownfields funding and oversight

If enacted, the bill would authorize $123.5 million per year for brownfields for FY2027–FY2031. Each year 0.5% of that money would be set aside for oversight. The EPA Inspector General would audit brownfields grants and loans within two years of enactment and every two years after. States and tribes getting section 128(a) grants would have to keep and publish a location-based list of grant-funded brownfield sites, updated at least once a year. The bill would set section 128(a) funding at $46.25 million per year for FY2027–FY2031.

Targeted help for small-community applicants

If enacted, EPA would award one noncompetitive technical assistance grant in each of FY2028 and FY2029. Each grant would fund a covered group to help five covered applicants apply for small-community brownfields grants. The bill would define who counts as a covered entity and a covered applicant. EPA must report to Congress by September 30, 2030 and send an updated report by September 30, 2032 on the effects and status of these assisted applicants.

Studies and guidance for faster cleanups

If enacted, the EPA would have two years to report on whether a larger brownfields loan program is feasible. The Government Accountability Office would study how sites are removed from the National Priorities List and recommend ways to speed deletions. The EPA would publish federal permitting and NEPA guidance for brownfield projects within one year and update it periodically. The bill would also add clear definitions to support these studies and guidance.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Guthrie, Brett [R-KY-2]

KY • R

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

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