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HB 574

An Act amending the act of October 18, 1988 (P.L.756, No.108), known as the Hazardous Sites Cleanup Act, in preliminary provisions, further providing for definitions and providing for disaster emergency declaration and for testing requirement, duty to report and public access; in powers and duties, further providing for powers and duties of department; and, in liability and settlement procedures, further providing for responsible person.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Joe Ciresi and 14 co-sponsors

Pennsylvania bill expands hazardous site cleanup authority, modifies liability rules, strengthens contamination testing/reporting, and increases public information access.

Referred to Environmental & Natural Resource Protection
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · HB 574

Legislative bill overview

HB 574 amends Pennsylvania's Hazardous Sites Cleanup Act (HSCA) to modify definitions, add disaster emergency provisions, strengthen testing and reporting requirements, expand public access to information, and adjust liability frameworks for responsible parties. The bill empowers the Department of Environmental Protection with enhanced authority to manage contaminated sites and clarifies obligations for those responsible for hazardous waste.

Why is this important

The HSCA is the primary state mechanism for addressing contaminated land, affecting property values, public health, and community cleanup liability. Modifications to this law directly impact how quickly sites are remediated, who bears financial responsibility, and whether residents receive transparent information about contamination near their homes or businesses.

Potential points of contention

  • Liability shifts: Changes to "responsible person" definitions could expand or narrow who must pay for cleanup, potentially affecting property owners, developers, or historical polluters differently
  • Public access vs. commercial confidentiality: Expanded public access to testing data may conflict with business claims that detailed contamination reports harm property values or competitive interests
  • Disaster emergency provisions: Unclear whether new disaster protocols streamline cleanups or create loopholes that reduce environmental scrutiny during emergencies

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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