S 347119th CongressIntroduced

Brownfields Reauthorization Act of 2025

Introduced: Jan 30, 2025

Standard Summary

Comprehensive overview in 1-2 paragraphs

The Brownfields Reauthorization Act of 2025 would reauthorize and expand federal funding and programs for brownfields revitalization under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA) of 1980. Key changes include broadening eligibility to receive grants, increasing grant amounts, expanding and increasing annual funding for state response programs, strengthening requirements to involve local communities in decision-making, and extending protections and opportunities to Alaska Native regional and village corporations. The bill also requires EPA to study and streamline the grant application process and to update guidance to reduce complexity while preserving competitive integrity. It would authorize ongoing funding through 2030 and align Alaska-specific provisions with the broader program.

Key Points

1Broadens eligibility to receive brownfields grants by adding 501(c)(6) organizations (alongside 501(c)(3)) and strengthens community engagement requirements in grant planning and decision-making.
2Increases the maximum grant amount per site from $500,000 to $1,000,000, expanding funding available for remediation and related work at each site.
3Increases and stabilizes annual appropriations for State Response Programs from FY2025 through FY2030, starting at $50 million and rising to $75 million in FY2030.
4Streamlines and improves access to grant opportunities for small communities and disadvantaged areas, including adjustments to cost-sharing requirements (lowered match and potential waivers for eligible areas) and enhanced consideration of community involvement plans.
5Expands eligibility for Alaska Native Regional and Village Corporations to receive brownfields funding, removing previous Alaska-specific limitations and adding these entities to the set of eligible recipients.
6Requires EPA to deliver a report within one year assessing grant application criteria and processes, identify sources of confusion and point deductions, and propose changes to streamline applications for small and disadvantaged communities; EPA must also update guidance within one year to simplify the process while preserving competitive integrity.

Impact Areas

Primary groups/areas affected:- Local governments, tribal entities, nonprofit organizations (including 501(c)(3) and now 501(c)(6) organizations), and small or disadvantaged communities seeking brownfields assessment, cleanup, or revitalization funding.- Alaska Native Regional and Village Corporations (as redefined to be eligible for funding), expanding opportunities for redevelopment in Alaska.Secondary groups/areas affected:- State environmental and redevelopment programs that administer CERCLA 104(k) grants, and lenders involved with revolving loan funds or cleanup financing.- Communities planning brownfield revitalization projects, including those with limited grant-writing capacity, due to streamlined application guidance and reduced or waived matching requirements.Additional impacts:- EPA’s grants administration workload increases with broader eligibility and higher grant caps, and with new requirements for community engagement and streamlined processes.- Potentially faster and larger-scale redevelopment of contaminated sites in small or disadvantaged communities, leading to economic development, job creation, and environmental risk reduction.- Regular congressional oversight and reporting through the required GAO/EPA updates, plus an emphasis on updating guidance to simplify processes.The bill is introduced in the Senate, sponsored by Capito (with Blunt Rochester), and, as of the provided text, reported without amendment. It would amend CERCLA 104(k) and related sections to reauthorize and expand brownfields funding and access.

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