Hartley Leads Passage of Bill Intended to Modernize Environmental Cleanup

State Senator Joan Hartley (D-Waterbury), Chair of the Commerce Committee, led Senate passage of a bill aimed to facilitate the state’s transition from the Transfer Act to a release-based cleanup program for contaminated properties. The release-based program would require that contamination be addressed when it occurs, resulting in a timelier cleanup.

Senate Bill 1404, ‘An Act Concerning Conforming Adjustments To Support The Transition To A Released-Based Cleanup Program,’ will create a transition period to allow for the development and implementation of new regulations that would establish cleanup standards based on the level of contamination remaining at a site, rather than the previous Transfer Act’s requirement for full remediation before property transfer.

Presently, 141 Connecticut communities have properties under the Transfer Act, many of which have remained blighted and shuttered for decades due to the onerous and costly Transfer Act requirements. The transition to a release-based cleanup model aims to break this logjam and accelerate the revitalization of these long-stalled sites.

“Today marks a significant step forward for Connecticut’s environmental and economic future,” said Senator Hartley. “This bill will empower our state to transition to a more efficient, release-based cleanup program, fostering responsible redevelopment of contaminated properties. This legislation not only enhances environmental protection but also stimulates economic growth by removing barriers to property reuse.”

“I want to thank Senator Hartley for her tireless leadership in guiding this complex and critically important legislation through the Senate,” said Senate President Martin Looney (D-New Haven). “Her deep understanding of both environmental policy and economic development has been instrumental in crafting a thoughtful transition to a release-based cleanup model. This new system will balance environmental protection with the need to revitalize our communities and attract new investment.”

The legislation reflects nearly five years of work by a dedicated working group made up of a broad coalition of stakeholders—including environmental advocates, members of the regulated community and environmental advocates, the Connecticut Environmental Bar, realtors, bankers, and environmental professionals—who came together to develop a more practical and effective cleanup framework.

Under this bill, the goal is to streamline the cleanup process, reduce regulatory burdens, and encourage the redevelopment of contaminated properties while ensuring environmental protection.

Under this new model, cleanups will be required based on actual environmental releases rather than being triggered by property transactions. This shift is expected to eliminate unnecessary regulatory hurdles and unlock opportunities for brownfield redevelopment, particularly in struggling urban areas.

Senate Bill 1404 now heads to the House for consideration.