Skip to main content
Federal & State Lawfederalstatelaw.com
Home/Federal/Bills (Live)
HOUSE 2434117th CongressReferred to the Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights, and Civil Liberties.

Environmental Justice Act of 2021

Last Action
10/19/2021

Actions

  • 2021-10-19Referred to the Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights, and Civil Liberties.
  • 2021-04-13Referred to the Subcommittee on Environment and Climate Change.
  • 2021-04-09Referred to the Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment.
  • 2021-04-09Referred to the Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials.
  • 2021-04-09Referred to the Subcommittee on Highways and Transit.
  • 2021-04-09Referred to the Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management.
  • 2021-04-09Referred to the Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation.
  • 2021-04-09Referred to the Subcommittee on Aviation.
  • 2021-04-08Referred 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.
  • 2021-04-08Referred 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.
  • 2021-04-08Referred 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.
  • 2021-04-08Referred 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.
  • 2021-04-08Introduced in House
  • 2021-04-08Introduced in House

CRS Summary

As of 2021-04-08 (00)

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.

Cosponsors (1)

  • Darren Soto (D-FL)

Subjects

  • Advisory bodies
  • Air quality
  • Civil actions and liability
  • Climate change and greenhouse gases
  • Disaster relief and insurance
  • Due process and equal protection
  • Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
  • Environmental assessment, monitoring, research
  • Environmental health
  • Environmental regulatory procedures
  • Executive Office of the President
  • Executive agency funding and structure
  • Food supply, safety, and labeling
  • Government information and archives
  • Indian lands and resources rights
  • Infrastructure development
  • Land use and conservation
  • Licensing and registrations
  • Medical research
Read on Congress.gov

Sourced from Congress.gov (public domain).

This is legal information, not legal advice. Laws vary by jurisdiction and change frequently. Always verify current law with official sources and consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction for advice on your specific situation.