Brownfields Revitalization for a Better Tomorrow Act

Bill Number

H.R. 8739

Origin Chamber

House

Congress

119th Congress, Session 2

Policy Area

Environmental Protection

Status

Introduced

Latest Action

2026-05-14: Forwarded by Subcommittee to Full Committee by Voice Vote.

Last Updated

2026-05-21T20:00:20Z

AI-Generated Summary

Brownfields Revitalization for a Better Tomorrow Act (H.R. 8739)

Purpose

This bill amends the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980 (CERCLA, also known as Superfund law) to expand and increase funding for cleaning up and reusing brownfields—abandoned or underused industrial or commercial sites that are contaminated (or thought to be) with hazardous substances. The goal is to make more money available, broaden who can apply, prioritize certain sites, and support small or disadvantaged communities in revitalizing these areas for economic and community benefits.

Key Provisions

• Expanded Eligibility: Adds 501(c)(6) organizations (e.g., trade associations) as eligible recipients alongside nonprofits and governments.
• Higher Funding Limits:
• Remediation grants/loans: Increased from $500,000 (with prior caps) to $1,000,000 per site.
• Multipurpose brownfields grants: Increased from $1,000,000 to $2,000,000.
• Site assessment grants: Capped at $500,000 per site.
• New Uses for Funds: Up to 10% of grants/loans can go toward demolition, with EPA approval.
• Grant Prioritization: New criteria favor sites on former military installations and those reusable for transportation projects (per the FAST Act, a federal transportation law).
• Technical Assistance for Small Communities: EPA must provide noncompetitive grants in fiscal years 2028–2029 to help small communities (populations under 10,000 or disadvantaged areas) that previously failed to win brownfields grants.
• Matching Fund Waivers: No matching funds required for small communities or disadvantaged areas.
• State/Tribal Requirements: States and tribes must maintain and publicly share an annual brownfields inventory.
• Audits and Oversight: EPA Inspector General audits every 2 years on fund use.
• Funding Authorization:
• Brownfields program: $123.5 million per year for FY2027–2031 (0.5% for oversight).
• State/tribal grants: $46.25 million per year for FY2027–2031.
• Studies and Reports (due 2028–2032):
• Review of revolving loan funds (2015–2025).
• Impact of technical assistance grants.
• Feasibility of a new federal loan program for large/complex sites.
• Barriers to removing cleaned sites from the National Priorities List (NPL, CERCLA's list of the most hazardous sites).
• Guidance: EPA must issue (and update) guidance within 1 year to speed up federal permits and environmental reviews for brownfield projects, using existing data.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

• Doubles key grant caps and removes prior per-year limits on remediation funding.
• Adds new priorities (military sites, transport reuse) and mandatory aid for small communities.
• Introduces demolition funding, inventory mandates, and match waivers.
• Reauthorizes and adjusts funding levels (previously expired or lower).
• Strengthens oversight with regular audits and multiple new reports/studies.

Potential Impacts

• Government Agencies: EPA gains duties for grants, waivers, guidance, and reporting; states/tribes must track sites publicly—increasing workload but with more funds.
• Citizens/Communities: Faster cleanup in small/disadvantaged areas could create jobs, housing, and development; benefits areas near former military bases.
• Economy/Environment: More brownfields reused for productive uses (e.g., transport hubs), reducing blight and contamination risks without expanding Superfund liabilities.
• No direct international effects.

Main Stakeholders Affected

• EPA (program administrator).
• States, tribes, local governments, nonprofits (grant recipients).
• Small/disadvantaged communities and former military sites (higher priority).
• Developers, site owners, and businesses (easier permitting/loans for reuse).
• Congress (receives reports/studies).

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

• Legal: Standard CERCLA amendments; promotes cleanup without new liabilities. Studies may lead to future loan programs or NPL changes.
• Constitutional: No issues; involves spending power and environmental regulation.
• Political: Bipartisan focus on economic revitalization via environmental cleanup; emphasizes equity for underserved areas.

This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.

Sponsor

Rep. Guthrie, Brett [R-KY-2]

Recent Actions

• 2026-05-14: Forwarded by Subcommittee to Full Committee by Voice Vote.
• 2026-05-14: Subcommittee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
• 2026-05-12: Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
• 2026-05-12: Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
• 2026-05-12: Referred to the Subcommittee on Environment.
• 2026-05-12: Introduced in House
• 2026-05-12: Introduced in House

Bill Versions

• Brownfields Revitalization for a Better Tomorrow Act — issued 2026-05-12 — PDF (15 pages)