Environmental Justice Act of 2021
Bill journey · stage 2 of 5
Under committee review
What it doesSummary introduced in house (Apr 8, 2021)
Environmental Justice Act of 2021
This bill requires agencies to address and mitigate the disproportionate impact of environmental and human health hazards on communities of color, indigenous communities, and low-income communities resulting from agencies' programs and policies. The bill also requires agencies to address cumulative impacts of pollution in permitting decisions and expands the types of legal actions available to individuals regarding charges of federal discriminatory practices.
Specifically, the bill provides statutory authority for a variety of existing programs, executive orders, federal guidance, and committees concerning environmental justice, including
- Executive Order 12898;
- a guidance issued in 1997 by the Council on Environmental Quality titled Environmental Justice Guidance Under the National Environmental Policy Act;
- a guidance issued in 2016 by the Environmental Protection Agency titled EPA Policy on Consultation and Coordination with Indian Tribes: Guidance for Discussing Tribal Treaty Rights;
- the National Environmental Justice Advisory Council;
- the Environmental Justice Small Grants Program; and
- the Environmental Justice Collaborative Problem-Solving Cooperative Agreement Program.
In addition, the bill requires agencies renewing or issuing specified permits under the Clean Water Act or the Clean Air Act to consider the cumulative impacts of pollution.
The bill also allows individuals to bring actions under the Civil Rights Act against entities that receive federal assistance and engage in discriminatory practices that have a disparate impact. Currently, individuals must request that federal agencies bring such actions on their behalf.
What just happenedOct 19, 2021
Referred to the Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights, and Civil Liberties.
Who’s behind it
- Introduced in HouseApr 8, 2021
- Oct 19, 2021Committee
Referred to the Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights, and Civil Liberties.
Constitution and Limited Government Subcommittee - Apr 13, 2021Committee
Referred to the Subcommittee on Environment and Climate Change.
Environment, Manufacturing, and Critical Materials Subcommittee - Apr 9, 2021Committee
Referred to the Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment.
Water Resources and Environment Subcommittee - Apr 9, 2021Committee
Referred to the Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials.
Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials Subcommittee - Apr 9, 2021Committee
Referred to the Subcommittee on Highways and Transit.
Highways and Transit Subcommittee - Apr 9, 2021Committee
Referred to the Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management.
Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management Subcommittee - Apr 9, 2021Committee
Referred to the Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation.
Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Subcommittee - Apr 9, 2021Committee
Referred to the Subcommittee on Aviation.
Aviation Subcommittee - Apr 8, 2021IntroReferralH11100
Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committees on Natural Resources, Transportation and Infrastructure, and the Judiciary, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Judiciary Committee - Apr 8, 2021IntroReferralH11100
Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committees on Natural Resources, Transportation and Infrastructure, and the Judiciary, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Transportation and Infrastructure Committee - Apr 8, 2021IntroReferralH11100
Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committees on Natural Resources, Transportation and Infrastructure, and the Judiciary, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Natural Resources Committee - Apr 8, 2021IntroReferralH11100
Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committees on Natural Resources, Transportation and Infrastructure, and the Judiciary, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Energy and Commerce Committee - Apr 8, 2021IntroReferralIntro-H
Introduced in House
- Apr 8, 2021IntroReferral1000
Introduced in House