Dive Brief:

• Among the Trump administration’s proposed cuts to the Environmental Protection Agency is the elimination of federal funding for the Lead Renovation, Repair and Painting (RRP) Program and a shift of funding responsibility to the state and local level, according to a memorandum from the EPA reviewed by Remodeling magazine. 

• Elimination of funds does not cancel the law, though it could lead to irregularities in how the requirements are enforced. The budget cuts would eliminate a $14 million grant along with $2.5 million and 72.8 full-time-equivalent staff positions for program administration.

• The National Association of the Remodeling Industry has stated its support for moving RRP administration to the states, believing it would allow for better management and enforcement. NARI pledged to work with state leaders on local program implementation. 

Dive Insight:

The related RRP rule mandates that firms and contractors working in pre-1978 homes and apartments, childcare facilities and schools be trained and certified in lead-safe work practices and follow those guidelines.

Fourteen states, including Alabama, Kansas, North Carolina and Washington, already administer their own lead RRP programs.

In fiscal year 2016, the EPA settled 123 violations of the RRP, the Lead Disclosure Rule and the Lead-Based Paint Activities Rule for a total of $1,046,655 in penalties.

Elsewhere in the Trump administration’s proposed 2018 budget, amid cuts to the Department of Housing and Urban Development's funding is a proposed $20 million boost in lead-paint mitigation in low-income housing.

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