Legis Daily

Environmental Justice Act of 2021

USA117th CongressS-2630| Senate 
| Updated: 8/5/2021
Cory A. Booker

Cory A. Booker

Democratic Senator

New Jersey

Cosponsors (13)
Tammy Duckworth (Democratic)Richard J. Durbin (Democratic)Edward J. Markey (Democratic)Kirsten E. Gillibrand (Democratic)Elizabeth Warren (Democratic)Alex Padilla (Democratic)Christopher A. Coons (Democratic)Chris Van Hollen (Democratic)Bernard Sanders (Independent)Brian Schatz (Democratic)Jeff Merkley (Democratic)Ron Wyden (Democratic)Richard Blumenthal (Democratic)

Environment and Public Works 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.
View Full Text

Suggested Questions

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

Timeline

Bill from Previous Congress

S 116-2236
Environmental Justice Act of 2019
Aug 5, 2021
Introduced in Senate
Aug 5, 2021
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
Oct 19, 2021

Latest Companion Bill Action

HR 117-2434
Referred to the Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights, and Civil Liberties.
  • Bill from Previous Congress

    S 116-2236
    Environmental Justice Act of 2019


  • August 5, 2021
    Introduced in Senate


  • August 5, 2021
    Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.


  • October 19, 2021

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    HR 117-2434
    Referred to the Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights, and Civil Liberties.

Environmental Protection

Related Bills

  • HR 117-2434: 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 CongressS-2630| Senate 
| Updated: 8/5/2021
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

S 116-2236
Environmental Justice Act of 2019
Aug 5, 2021
Introduced in Senate
Aug 5, 2021
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
Oct 19, 2021

Latest Companion Bill Action

HR 117-2434
Referred to the Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights, and Civil Liberties.
  • Bill from Previous Congress

    S 116-2236
    Environmental Justice Act of 2019


  • August 5, 2021
    Introduced in Senate


  • August 5, 2021
    Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.


  • October 19, 2021

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    HR 117-2434
    Referred to the Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights, and Civil Liberties.
Cory A. Booker

Cory A. Booker

Democratic Senator

New Jersey

Cosponsors (13)
Tammy Duckworth (Democratic)Richard J. Durbin (Democratic)Edward J. Markey (Democratic)Kirsten E. Gillibrand (Democratic)Elizabeth Warren (Democratic)Alex Padilla (Democratic)Christopher A. Coons (Democratic)Chris Van Hollen (Democratic)Bernard Sanders (Independent)Brian Schatz (Democratic)Jeff Merkley (Democratic)Ron Wyden (Democratic)Richard Blumenthal (Democratic)

Environment and Public Works Committee

Environmental Protection

Related Bills

  • HR 117-2434: 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