Substitute Senate Bill No. 218 - Summary

• Establishes an abandoned brownfield cleanup program administered by the Commissioner of Economic and Community Development, with properties eligible if unused for 5+ years and applicants intend to redevelop with regional/municipal economic benefit.

• Creates a brownfield remediation and revitalization program limited to 32 properties per year, with applicants paying a fee equal to 5% of assessed land value in two installments, subject to potential reductions for completing investigation and remediation milestones.

• Provides liability protections for eligible applicants who comply with program requirements, exempting them from liability for pre-existing pollution and allowing them to obtain covenants not to sue from the Commissioner of Energy and Environmental Protection.

• Requires eligible parties to enter the voluntary remediation program within 6 months of acquiring title, investigate and remediate pollution within specified timelines (2 years for investigation, 8 years for remediation completion), and submit verification reports reviewed by the state within 180 days.

• Allows municipalities, Connecticut brownfield land banks, and economic development agencies to nominate properties for the program and request fee waivers based on factors including location in distressed municipalities and significant community benefit.