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A bill to require Federal agencies to address environmental justice, to require consideration of cumulative impacts in certain permitting decisions, and for other purposes.

USA115th CongressS-1996| Senate 
| Updated: 10/24/2017
Cory A. Booker

Cory A. Booker

Democratic Senator

New Jersey

Cosponsors (15)
Tammy Duckworth (Democratic)Tom Udall (Democratic)Richard J. Durbin (Democratic)Edward J. Markey (Democratic)Kirsten E. Gillibrand (Democratic)Elizabeth Warren (Democratic)Christopher A. Coons (Democratic)Kamala D. Harris (Democratic)Thomas R. Carper (Democratic)Sheldon Whitehouse (Democratic)Chris Van Hollen (Democratic)Bernard Sanders (Independent)Brian Schatz (Democratic)Jeff Merkley (Democratic)Richard Blumenthal (Democratic)

Environment and Public Works 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.
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Timeline
Oct 24, 2017
Introduced in Senate
Oct 24, 2017
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
Oct 27, 2017

Latest Companion Bill Action

HR 115-4114
Referred to the Subcommittee on Environment.
  • October 24, 2017
    Introduced in Senate


  • October 24, 2017
    Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.


  • October 27, 2017

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    HR 115-4114
    Referred to the Subcommittee on Environment.

Environmental Protection

Related Bills

  • HR 115-4114: To require Federal agencies to address environmental justice, to require consideration of cumulative impacts in certain permitting decisions, and for other purposes.
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

A bill to require Federal agencies to address environmental justice, to require consideration of cumulative impacts in certain permitting decisions, and for other purposes.

USA115th CongressS-1996| Senate 
| Updated: 10/24/2017
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.
View Full Text

Suggested Questions

Get AI-generated questions to help you understand this bill better

Timeline
Oct 24, 2017
Introduced in Senate
Oct 24, 2017
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
Oct 27, 2017

Latest Companion Bill Action

HR 115-4114
Referred to the Subcommittee on Environment.
  • October 24, 2017
    Introduced in Senate


  • October 24, 2017
    Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.


  • October 27, 2017

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    HR 115-4114
    Referred to the Subcommittee on Environment.
Cory A. Booker

Cory A. Booker

Democratic Senator

New Jersey

Cosponsors (15)
Tammy Duckworth (Democratic)Tom Udall (Democratic)Richard J. Durbin (Democratic)Edward J. Markey (Democratic)Kirsten E. Gillibrand (Democratic)Elizabeth Warren (Democratic)Christopher A. Coons (Democratic)Kamala D. Harris (Democratic)Thomas R. Carper (Democratic)Sheldon Whitehouse (Democratic)Chris Van Hollen (Democratic)Bernard Sanders (Independent)Brian Schatz (Democratic)Jeff Merkley (Democratic)Richard Blumenthal (Democratic)

Environment and Public Works Committee

Environmental Protection

Related Bills

  • HR 115-4114: To require Federal agencies to address environmental justice, to require consideration of cumulative impacts in certain permitting decisions, and for other purposes.
  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
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