To require Federal agencies to address environmental justice, to require consideration of cumulative impacts in certain permitting decisions, and for other purposes.
• Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials Subcommittee• Transportation and Infrastructure Committee• Environment Subcommittee• Water Resources and Environment Subcommittee• Highways and Transit Subcommittee• Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management Subcommittee• Judiciary Committee• Energy and Commerce Committee• Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Subcommittee• Aviation Subcommittee• Natural Resources Committee
Introduced
In Committee
On Floor
Passed Chamber
Enacted
Environmental Justice Act of 2017 This bill requires agencies to address 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. This bill provides statutory authority for: the interagency Federal Working Group on Environmental Justice, certain environmental justice requirements established under Executive Order 12898, a guidance titled "Environmental Justice Guidance Under the National Environmental Policy Act," a guidance 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, the Environmental Justice Collaborative Problem-Solving Cooperative Agreement Program, and the Community Action for a Renewed Environment grant programs. The bill amends the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (commonly known as the Clean Water Act) to require the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to address potential cumulative impacts of pollutant discharges when issuing or renewing permits under the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permit program. The bill amends the Clean Air Act to require the EPA to address potential cumulative impacts of a major stationary source of air pollutants when issuing or renewing permits for those sources. The bill states that the authorization to bring citizen suits under certain environmental laws does not preclude the right of an individual to bring a civil action for deprivation of implied rights under those laws or common law. The bill amends the Civil Rights Act of 1964 to allow a person aggrieved by the failure of a covered entity to comply with the Act to bring an action against the entity in a federal or state court for discriminatory practices.
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.
Referred to the Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials.
Referred to the Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment.
Referred to the Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings and Emergency Management.
Referred to the Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation.
Referred to the Subcommittee on Aviation.
Referred to the Subcommittee on Highways and Transit.
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.
Referred to the Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials.
Referred to the Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment.
Referred to the Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings and Emergency Management.
Referred to the Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation.
Referred to the Subcommittee on Aviation.
Referred to the Subcommittee on Highways and Transit.
Advisory bodiesAir qualityCivil actions and liabilityClimate change and greenhouse gasesDisaster relief and insuranceDue process and equal protectionEnvironmental assessment, monitoring, researchEnvironmental healthEnvironmental Protection Agency (EPA)Environmental regulatory proceduresExecutive agency funding and structureExecutive Office of the PresidentFood supply, safety, and labelingGovernment information and archivesIndian lands and resources rightsInfrastructure developmentLand use and conservationLicensing and registrationsMedical researchMiningMinority healthPerformance measurementPoverty and welfare assistancePublic participation and lobbyingRacial and ethnic relationsResearch administration and fundingSoil pollutionSolid waste and recyclingWater quality
To require Federal agencies to address environmental justice, to require consideration of cumulative impacts in certain permitting decisions, and for other purposes.
USA115th CongressHR-4114| House
| Updated: 10/27/2017
Environmental Justice Act of 2017 This bill requires agencies to address 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. This bill provides statutory authority for: the interagency Federal Working Group on Environmental Justice, certain environmental justice requirements established under Executive Order 12898, a guidance titled "Environmental Justice Guidance Under the National Environmental Policy Act," a guidance 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, the Environmental Justice Collaborative Problem-Solving Cooperative Agreement Program, and the Community Action for a Renewed Environment grant programs. The bill amends the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (commonly known as the Clean Water Act) to require the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to address potential cumulative impacts of pollutant discharges when issuing or renewing permits under the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permit program. The bill amends the Clean Air Act to require the EPA to address potential cumulative impacts of a major stationary source of air pollutants when issuing or renewing permits for those sources. The bill states that the authorization to bring citizen suits under certain environmental laws does not preclude the right of an individual to bring a civil action for deprivation of implied rights under those laws or common law. The bill amends the Civil Rights Act of 1964 to allow a person aggrieved by the failure of a covered entity to comply with the Act to bring an action against the entity in a federal or state court for discriminatory practices.
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.
Referred to the Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials.
Referred to the Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment.
Referred to the Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings and Emergency Management.
Referred to the Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation.
Referred to the Subcommittee on Aviation.
Referred to the Subcommittee on Highways and Transit.
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.
Referred to the Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials.
Referred to the Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment.
Referred to the Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings and Emergency Management.
Referred to the Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation.
Referred to the Subcommittee on Aviation.
Referred to the Subcommittee on Highways and Transit.
• Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials Subcommittee• Transportation and Infrastructure Committee• Environment Subcommittee• Water Resources and Environment Subcommittee• Highways and Transit Subcommittee• Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management Subcommittee• Judiciary Committee• Energy and Commerce Committee• Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Subcommittee• Aviation Subcommittee• Natural Resources Committee
Advisory bodiesAir qualityCivil actions and liabilityClimate change and greenhouse gasesDisaster relief and insuranceDue process and equal protectionEnvironmental assessment, monitoring, researchEnvironmental healthEnvironmental Protection Agency (EPA)Environmental regulatory proceduresExecutive agency funding and structureExecutive Office of the PresidentFood supply, safety, and labelingGovernment information and archivesIndian lands and resources rightsInfrastructure developmentLand use and conservationLicensing and registrationsMedical researchMiningMinority healthPerformance measurementPoverty and welfare assistancePublic participation and lobbyingRacial and ethnic relationsResearch administration and fundingSoil pollutionSolid waste and recyclingWater quality