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Environmental Justice Act of 2021

USA117th CongressHR-2434| House 
| Updated: 10/19/2021
Raul Ruiz

Raul Ruiz

Democratic Representative

California

Cosponsors (1)
Darren Soto (Democratic)
Committees (12)
• 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• Constitution and Limited Government Subcommittee• 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 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.
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Timeline

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 116-3923
Environmental Justice Act of 2019
Apr 8, 2021
Introduced in House
Apr 8, 2021
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.
Apr 9, 2021
Referred to the Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials.
Apr 9, 2021
Referred to the Subcommittee on Highways and Transit.
Apr 9, 2021
Referred to the Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management.
Apr 9, 2021
Referred to the Subcommittee on Aviation.
Apr 9, 2021
Referred to the Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment.
Apr 9, 2021
Referred to the Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation.
Apr 13, 2021
Referred to the Subcommittee on Environment and Climate Change.
Aug 5, 2021

Latest Companion Bill Action

S 117-2630
Introduced in Senate
Oct 19, 2021
Referred to the Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights, and Civil Liberties.
  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 116-3923
    Environmental Justice Act of 2019


  • April 8, 2021
    Introduced in House


  • April 8, 2021
    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.


  • April 9, 2021
    Referred to the Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials.


  • April 9, 2021
    Referred to the Subcommittee on Highways and Transit.


  • April 9, 2021
    Referred to the Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management.


  • April 9, 2021
    Referred to the Subcommittee on Aviation.


  • April 9, 2021
    Referred to the Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment.


  • April 9, 2021
    Referred to the Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation.


  • April 13, 2021
    Referred to the Subcommittee on Environment and Climate Change.


  • August 5, 2021

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    S 117-2630
    Introduced in Senate


  • October 19, 2021
    Referred to the Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights, and Civil Liberties.

Environmental Protection

Related Bills

  • S 117-2630: Environmental Justice Act of 2021
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

Environmental Justice Act of 2021

USA117th CongressHR-2434| House 
| Updated: 10/19/2021
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.
View Full Text

Suggested Questions

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

Timeline

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 116-3923
Environmental Justice Act of 2019
Apr 8, 2021
Introduced in House
Apr 8, 2021
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.
Apr 9, 2021
Referred to the Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials.
Apr 9, 2021
Referred to the Subcommittee on Highways and Transit.
Apr 9, 2021
Referred to the Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management.
Apr 9, 2021
Referred to the Subcommittee on Aviation.
Apr 9, 2021
Referred to the Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment.
Apr 9, 2021
Referred to the Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation.
Apr 13, 2021
Referred to the Subcommittee on Environment and Climate Change.
Aug 5, 2021

Latest Companion Bill Action

S 117-2630
Introduced in Senate
Oct 19, 2021
Referred to the Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights, and Civil Liberties.
  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 116-3923
    Environmental Justice Act of 2019


  • April 8, 2021
    Introduced in House


  • April 8, 2021
    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.


  • April 9, 2021
    Referred to the Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials.


  • April 9, 2021
    Referred to the Subcommittee on Highways and Transit.


  • April 9, 2021
    Referred to the Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management.


  • April 9, 2021
    Referred to the Subcommittee on Aviation.


  • April 9, 2021
    Referred to the Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment.


  • April 9, 2021
    Referred to the Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation.


  • April 13, 2021
    Referred to the Subcommittee on Environment and Climate Change.


  • August 5, 2021

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    S 117-2630
    Introduced in Senate


  • October 19, 2021
    Referred to the Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights, and Civil Liberties.
Raul Ruiz

Raul Ruiz

Democratic Representative

California

Cosponsors (1)
Darren Soto (Democratic)
Committees (12)
• 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• Constitution and Limited Government Subcommittee• Energy and Commerce Committee• Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Subcommittee• Aviation Subcommittee• Natural Resources Committee

Environmental Protection

Related Bills

  • S 117-2630: Environmental Justice Act of 2021
  • 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