Raised Bill No. 293 - Release-Based Property Remediation Program

• Establishes a new release-based property remediation program requiring any person who creates or maintains a release of oil, petroleum, chemical liquids, or hazardous waste to report and remediate the release in compliance with state standards.

• Requires immediate reporting of any discovered release on or after July 1, 2022, or upon adoption of implementing regulations (whichever is earlier), unless the release complies with an existing valid commissioner license.

• Authorizes the Commissioner of Energy and Environmental Protection to issue compliance orders, with copies filed on land records, and establishes a 30-day period for persons to request a hearing before the order becomes final.

• Imposes civil penalties up to $25,000 per offense and criminal penalties ranging from fines up to $50,000 per day and imprisonment up to 3 years, with enhanced penalties for subsequent convictions and knowing violations.

• Directs the commissioner to adopt regulations establishing risk-based tiers of releases, remediation standards, verification procedures, and provisions allowing certain low-risk releases to proceed without reporting, commissioner supervision, or verification.