Senate Bill No. 1404, also known as Public Act No. 25-6, amends existing environmental regulations to facilitate a transition to a release-based cleanup program. Key changes include the clarification of reporting timelines for releases to land and waters of the state, with the phrase "first adopted" replaced by "effective after adoption." The bill mandates that individuals responsible for a release must report it upon discovery and remediate it according to established standards, with non-compliance resulting in liability for associated costs. Additionally, the definition of "Transfer of establishment" is revised to apply only to transactions occurring on or before the effective date of new regulations, with exceptions for certain conveyances, including those related to foreclosure and brownfield cleanup programs.

The bill also allows licensed environmental professionals to conduct Phase II and Phase III assessments and prepare remedial action plans for contaminated properties, removing the previous restriction that these actions could only occur after January 1, 1996. It outlines procedural requirements for remediation, including public notification and record-keeping for at least ten years. Furthermore, the bill introduces provisions for expedited permit issuance for parcel-wide remediation and establishes deadlines for investigations of discovered releases. Overall, Senate Bill No. 1404 aims to streamline the remediation process while ensuring compliance with environmental standards and maintaining public awareness.

Statutes affected:
Raised Bill:
CE Joint Favorable:
File No. 488:
Public Act No. 25-6: