474 
(iv) other relevant decision support 
and information tools. 
(4) NOVEL TOOLS FOR ACTIVE WILDLAND FIRE 
MONITORING AND RISK MITIGATION.—The Adminis-
trator, in collaboration with other Program agencies 
and relevant stakeholders shall apply novel tools and 
technologies to support active wildland fire research, 
monitoring, mitigation, and risk reduction, as prac-
ticable and appropriate. In particular, the Adminis-
trator shall: 
(A) Establish a program to develop and 
demonstrate a unified concept of operations for 
the safe and effective deployment of diverse air 
capabilities in active wildland fire monitoring, 
mitigation, and risk reduction. The objectives of 
the Program shall be to— 
(i) 
develop 
and 
demonstrate 
a 
wildland fire airspace operations system 
accounting for piloted aircraft, uncrewed 
aerial systems, and other new and emerg-
ing capabilities such as autonomous and 
high-altitude assets; 
(ii) develop an interoperable commu-
nications strategy;
475 
(iii) develop a roadmap for the on- 
ramping of new technologies, capabilities, 
or entities; 
(iv) identify additional development, 
testing, and demonstration that would be 
required to expand the scale of operations; 
(v) identify actions that would be re-
quired to transition the unified concept of 
operations in subparagraph (A) into ongo-
ing, operational use; and 
(vi) other objectives, as deemed appro-
priate by the Administrator. 
(B) Develop and demonstrate affordable 
and deployable sensing technologies, in con-
sultation with other Program agencies and rel-
evant stakeholders, to improve the monitoring 
of fire fuel and active wildland fires, wildland 
fire behavior models and forecast, mapping ef-
forts, and the prediction and mitigation of 
wildland fires and their impacts. The Adminis-
trator shall— 
(i) test and demonstrate technologies 
such as infrared, microwave, and active 
sensors suitable for deployment on space-
craft, aircraft, uncrewed aerial systems,
476 
and ground-based and in situ platforms, as 
appropriate and practicable; 
(ii) develop and demonstrate afford-
able and deployable sensing technologies 
that can be transitioned to operations for 
collection of near-real-time localized meas-
urements; 
(iii) develop and demonstrate near- 
real-time 
data 
processing, 
availability, 
interoperability, and visualization, as prac-
ticable; 
(iv) identify opportunities and actions 
required, in collaboration with Program 
agencies and relevant stakeholders, to 
transition 
relevant 
technologies, 
tech-
niques, and data to science operations, 
upon successful demonstration of the feasi-
bility and scientific utility of the sensors 
and data; 
(v) 
transition 
demonstrated 
tech-
nologies, techniques, and data into ongo-
ing, operational use, including to Program 
agencies and relevant stakeholders; 
(vi) prioritize and facilitate, to the 
greatest extent practicable, the dissemina-
477 
tion of these science data to operations, in-
cluding to Program agencies and relevant 
stakeholders; and 
(vii) consider opportunities for poten-
tial partnerships, including commercial 
data purchases, among industry, govern-
ment, academic institutions, and non-profit 
organizations and other relevant stake-
holders in carrying out clauses (i) through 
(vi), as appropriate and practicable. 
(f) ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY.—The 
Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency 
shall support environmental research and development ac-
tivities to— 
(1) improve the understanding of— 
(A) wildland fire and smoke impacts on 
communities and public health, including im-
pacts on drinking water and outdoor and indoor 
air quality, and on freshwater ecosystems; 
(B) wildland fire smoke plume characteris-
tics, chemical transformation, chemical com-
position, and transport; 
(C) wildland fire and smoke impacts to 
contaminant containment and remediation;
478 
(D) the contribution of wildland fire emis-
sions to climate forcing emissions; 
(E) differences between the impacts of pre-
scribed fires compared to other wildland fires 
on communities and air and water quality; and 
(F) climate change and variability on 
wildland fires and smoke plumes, including on 
smoke exposure; 
(2) develop and improve tools, sensors, and 
technologies including databases and computational 
models, to accelerate the understanding, monitoring, 
and prediction of wildland fires and smoke exposure; 
(3) better integrate observational data into 
wildland fire and smoke characterization models to 
improve modeling at finer temporal and spatial reso-
lution; 
(4) develop and improve communication of 
wildland fire and smoke risk reduction strategies to 
the public in coordination with relevant stakeholders 
and other Federal agencies; and 
(5) develop and disseminate personal and com-
munity-based interventions to reduce exposure to 
and adverse health effects of wildland fire and 
smoke.
479 
(g) DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY.—The Secretary of 
Energy shall carry out research and development activities 
to— 
(1) create tools, techniques, and technologies 
for— 
(A) withstanding and addressing the cur-
rent and projected impact of wildland fires on 
energy sector infrastructure; 
(B) 
providing 
real-time 
or 
near-time 
awareness of the risks posed by wildland fires 
to the operation of energy infrastructure in af-
fected and potentially affected areas, including 
by leveraging the Department’s high-perform-
ance computing capabilities and climate and 
ecosystem models; 
(C) enabling early detection of, and assess-
ment of competing technologies and strategies 
for addressing, malfunctioning electrical equip-
ment on the transmission and distribution grid, 
including spark ignition causing wildland fires; 
(D) assisting with the planning, safe exe-
cution of, and safe and timely restoration of 
power after emergency power shut offs fol-
lowing wildland fires started by grid infrastruc-
ture;
480 
(E) improving electric grid and energy sec-
tor safety and resilience in the event of multiple 
simultaneous or co-located weather or climate 
events leading to extreme conditions, such as 
extreme wind, wildland fires, extreme cold, and 
extreme heat; 
(F) improving coordination between utili-
ties and relevant Federal agencies to enable 
communication, information-sharing, and situa-
tional awareness in the event of wildland fires 
that impact the electric grid; 
(G) utilizing biomass produced by wildland 
fire risk mitigation and post-fire recovery activi-
ties for bioenergy, including biofuels, in collabo-
ration with relevant stakeholders; and 
(H) predicting wildland fire occurrence, 
spread, and ecosystem impact; 
(2) coordinate data and computational re-
sources across relevant entities to improve our un-
derstanding of wildland fires and to promote resil-
ience and wildland fire prevention in the planning, 
design, construction, operation, and maintenance of 
transmission infrastructure;
481 
(3) consider optimal building energy efficiency 
and weatherization practices, as practicable, in 
wildland fire research; 
(4) utilize the Department of Energy’s National 
Laboratory capabilities, including user facilities, 
earth and environmental systems modeling re-
sources, and high-performance computing and data 
analytics capabilities, to improve the accuracy of ef-
forts to understand and predict wildland fire behav-
ior and occurrence and mitigate wildland fire im-
pacts; and 
(5) foster engagement between the National 
Laboratories and practitioners, researchers, policy 
organizations, utilities, and other entities the Sec-
retary determines to be appropriate to understand 
the economic and social implications of power dis-
ruptions caused by wildland fires, particularly within 
disadvantaged communities and regions vulnerable 
to wildland fires, including rural areas. 
(h) UNITED STATES GEOLOGICAL SURVEY.—As part 
of the Program, the Director of the United States Geologi-
cal Survey shall support— 
(1) research and development activities to im-
prove the understanding of— 
(A) wildland fire risk, behavior, and fuels;
482 
(B) impact of pre-fire conditions, such as 
fuel treatments, invasive species and other vege-
tation, on land management and economic land-
scapes; 
(C) post-fire risks including debris flows, 
erosion, and flooding, and effects on water qual-
ity, and revegetation; 
(D) impacts of changing fire regimes due 
to 
climate 
change 
and 
other 
ecosystem 
stressors; and 
(E) fire ecology and behavior; 
(2) development and improvement of tools and 
technologies to address wildland fire science and 
management challenges by— 
(A) Maintaining and expanding geospatial 
data and support for wildfire incidents, mitiga-
tion, and planning; 
(B) improving understanding and response 
to post-fire hazards and risks, including debris- 
flow, stream flow and quality, and revegetation; 
and 
(C) Maintaining, relevant wildland fire 
computational modeling and mapping, capabili-
ties to identify critical information for land 
management, decision support, and policy, and
483 
enhancing such capabilities, as appropriate and 
in consultation and collaboration with other rel-
evant Program agencies; and 
(3) improvement of external communication of 
USGS wildland fire science products with Program 
Agencies and relevant stakeholders. 
SEC. 307. BUDGET ACTIVITIES. 
The Director of the National Institute of Standards 
and Technology, the Director of the National Science 
Foundation, the Administrator of the National Oceanic 
and Atmospheric Administration, the Director of the Fed-
eral Emergency Management Agency, the Administrator 
of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, 
the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agen-
cy, and the Secretary of Energy shall each include in the 
annual budget request to Congress of each respective 
agency a description of the projected activities of such 
agency under the Program for the fiscal year covered by 
the budget request and an estimate of the amount such 
agency plans to spend on such activities for the relevant 
fiscal year. 
SEC. 308. DEFINITIONS. 
In this title:
484 
(1) DIRECTOR.—The term ‘‘Director’’ means 
the Director of the Office of Science and Technology 
Policy. 
(2) PROGRAM.—The term ‘‘Program’’ means 
the Program established under section 301. 
(3) PROGRAM AGENCIES.—The term ‘‘Program 
agencies’’ means any Federal agency with respon-
sibilities under the Program. 
(4) STAKEHOLDERS.—The term ‘‘stakeholders’’ 
means any public or private organization engaged in 
addressing wildland fires, associated smoke, and 
their impacts, and shall include relevant Federal 
agencies, States, territories, Tribes, State and local 
governments, businesses, not-for-profit organiza-
tions, including national standards and building code 
organizations, firefighting departments and organi-
zations, academia, and other users of wildland fire 
data products. 
(5) WILDLAND
FIRE.—The term ‘‘wildland 
fire’’ means any non-structure fire that occurs in 
vegetation or natural fuels and includes wildfires 
and prescribed fires. 
(6) FIRE ENVIRONMENT.—The term ‘‘fire envi-
ronment’’ means surrounding conditions, influences,
485 
and modifying forces of topography, fuel, and weath-
er that determine fire behavior. 
SEC. 309. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS. 
(a) NATIONAL
INSTITUTE
OF
STANDARDS
AND 
TECHNOLOGY.—There are authorized to be appropriated 
to the National Institute of Standards and Technology for 
carrying out this title— 
(1) $35,800,000 for fiscal year 2024; 
(2) $36,100,000 for fiscal year 2025; 
(3) $36,400,000 for fiscal year 2026; 
(4) $36,700,000 for fiscal year 2027; and 
(5) $37,100,000 for fiscal year 2028. 
(b) NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION.—There are 
authorized to be appropriated to the National Science 
Foundation for carrying out this title— 
(1) $50,000,000 for fiscal year 2024; 
(2) $53,000,000 for fiscal year 2025; 
(3) $56,200,000 for fiscal year 2026; 
(4) $59,600,000 for fiscal year 2027; and 
(5) $63,100,000 for fiscal year 2028. 
(c) NATIONAL OCEANIC AND ATMOSPHERIC ADMIN-
ISTRATION.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—There are authorized to be 
appropriated to the National Oceanic and Atmos-
pheric Administration for carrying out this title—
486 
(A) $200,000,000 for fiscal year 2024; 
(B) $215,000,000 for fiscal year 2025; 
(C) $220,000,000 for fiscal year 2026; 
(D) $230,000,000 for fiscal year 2027; 
and 
(E) $250,000,000 for fiscal year 2028. 
(2) USE OF FUNDS.—Of the amounts author-
ized for each of the fiscal years in paragraph (1), up 
to $10,000,000 may be used to support the National 
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s contribu-
tions to the activities of the Joint Fire Science Pro-
gram in section 202(c)(1)(D) of subtitle A of title II 
of division A. 
(d) NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINIS-
TRATION.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—There are authorized to be 
appropriated to the National Aeronautics and Space 
Administration for carrying out this title— 
(A) $95,000,000 for fiscal year 2024; 
(B) $100,000,000 for fiscal year 2025; 
(C) $110,000,000 for fiscal year 2026; 
(D) $110,000,000 for fiscal year 2027; 
and 
(E) $110,000,000 for fiscal year 2028.
487 
(2) USE OF FUNDS.—Of the amounts author-
ized for each of the fiscal years in paragraph (1), up 
to $10,000,000 may be used to support National 
Aeronautics and Space Administration research and 
development contributions to the activities of the 
Joint Fire Science Program in section 202(c)(1)(D) 
of subtitle A of title II of division A. 
(e) ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY.—There 
are authorized to be appropriated to the Environmental 
Protection Agency for carrying out this title— 
(1) $11,000,000 for fiscal year 2024; 
(2) $11,700,000 for fiscal year 2025; 
(3) $12,400,000 for fiscal year 2026; 
(4) $13,100,000 for fiscal year 2027; and 
(5) $13,900,000 for fiscal year 2028. 
(f) FEDERAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—There are authorized to be 
appropriated to the Federal Emergency Management 
Agency for carrying out this title— 
(A) $6,000,000 for fiscal year 2024; 
(B) $6,400,000 for fiscal year 2025; 
(C) $6,700,000 for fiscal year 2026; 
(D) $7,100,000 for fiscal year 2027; and 
(E) $7,600,000 for fiscal year 2028.
488 
(2) USE OF FUNDS.—Of the amounts author-
ized in paragraph (1), up to $10,000,000 for fiscal 
years 2024 through 2028 may be used to support 
the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s con-
tributions to the activities of the Joint Fire Science 
Program in section 202(c)(1)(D) of subtitle A of 
title II of division A. 
(g) DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY.—There are author-
ized to be appropriated to the Secretary of Energy up to 
$10,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2024 through 2028 
to support the Department’s contributions to the activities 
of the Joint Fire Science Program in section 202(c)(1)(D) 
of subtitle A of title II of division A. 
SEC. 310. INCREASE IN ALLOWABLE AMOUNT OF PHYSICAL 
DISASTER LOAN FOR MITIGATION. 
Section 7(b)(1)(A) of the Small Business Act (15 
U.S.C. 636(b)(1)(A)) is amended, in the second proviso, 
by striking ‘‘20 per centum’’ and inserting ‘‘30 percent’’. 
SEC. 311. STUDY ON DISASTER SPENDING; STATE DISASTER 
PLAN UPDATES. 
(a) GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABILITY OFFICE STUDY 
ON DISASTER SPENDING.— 
(1) STUDY.—The Comptroller General of the 
United States shall conduct a study to identify the 
following:
489 
(A) For the 5-year period ending on the 
date of enactment of this Act— 
(i) the total amount of Federal funds 
spent in response to major disasters and 
emergencies declared pursuant to the Rob-
ert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emer-
gency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5121 et 
seq.); and 
(ii) the total amount of State and In-
dian tribal government funds spent in re-
sponse to such major disasters and emer-
gencies. 
(B) 10 proposed Federal actions, to in-
clude reinsurance, that, if implemented, would 
most effectively reduce the need for spending 
related to such major disasters or emergencies. 
Such actions shall be listed in order of priority 
under criteria established by the Comptroller 
General, including the following: 
(i) Cost effectiveness. 
(ii) Return on investment. 
(iii) Simplicity or speed of implemen-
tation using existing resources.
490 
(C) The effect that using blockchain may 
have on delivering disaster assistance to State 
and Indian tribal governments. 
(D) Whether insurance protection against 
wildfires will remain available and affordable to 
homeowners. 
(2) REPORT.—Not later than 1 year after the 
date of enactment of this Act, the Comptroller Gen-
eral shall submit to the covered entities a report con-
taining the results of the study. 
(3) DEFINITIONS.—In this subsection: 
(A) The term ‘‘covered entities’’ means— 
(i) Congress; 
(ii) the Administrator of the Federal 
Emergency Management Agency; and 
(iii) for each State and Indian tribal 
government, the head of the agency for 
such State or Indian tribal government 
with jurisdiction over disaster response ac-
tivities. 
(B) The terms ‘‘Indian tribal government’’ 
and ‘‘State’’ have the meanings given such 
terms in section 102 of the Robert T. Stafford 
Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act 
(42 U.S.C. 5122).
491 
(b) STATE DISASTER PLAN UPDATES.—Section 201 
of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency 
Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5131) is amended by adding 
at the end the following: 
‘‘(e) With respect to State plans developed under this 
section, the President shall coordinate with each State to 
update such plans to incorporate strategies that decrease 
the time required to prepare for all hazard incidents, in-
cluding the time to evacuate individuals.’’. 
TITLE IV—WILDFIRE GRID 
RESILIENCE ACT 
SEC. 401. SHORT TITLE. 
This title may be cited as the ‘‘Wildfire Grid Resil-
iency Act’’. 
SEC. 402. RESILIENCE ACCELERATOR DEMONSTRATION 
PROGRAM. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary of Energy shall 
carry out a demonstration program, to be known as the 
‘‘Resilience Accelerator Demonstration Program’’ (in this 
section referred to as the ‘‘Program’’), to make awards 
to eligible entities for projects that demonstrate innovative 
technologies to improve electric grid resilience with respect 
to wildfires. 
(b) ELIGIBLE PROJECTS.—The Secretary may make 
an award under the Program to facilitate a project that
492 
demonstrates an innovative technology to improve electric 
grid resilience with respect to wildfires, including— 
(1) a project that demonstrates an innovative 
technology for monitoring vegetation management; 
and 
(2) a project that demonstrates an innovative 
technology to enhance the safety of first responders 
who respond to electric grid emergencies. 
(c) ELIGIBLE ENTITIES.—An eligible entity referred 
to in subsection (a) is— 
(1) a National Laboratory; 
(2) an institution of higher education, including 
a historically Black college or university, a Tribal 
College or University, and a minority-serving institu-
tion; 
(3) a private commercial entity; 
(4) a unit of State, local, or Tribal government; 
(5) a nonprofit organization; 
(6) an electric utility or electric cooperative; 
(7) a retail service provider of electricity; 
(8) a partnership or consortium of 2 or more 
entities described in paragraphs (1) through (8); and 
(9) any other entity that the Secretary deter-
mines appropriate. 
(d) DEFINITIONS.—In this section:
493 
(1) HISTORICALLY
BLACK
COLLEGE
OR
UNI-
VERSITY.—The term ‘‘historically Black college or 
university’’ has the meaning given the term ‘‘part B 
institution’’ in section 322 of the Higher Education 
Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1061). 
(2) INSTITUTION OF HIGHER EDUCATION.—The 
term ‘‘institution of higher education’’ has the 
meaning given the term in section 101(a) of the 
Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1001(a)). 
(3) 
MINORITY-SERVING
INSTITUTION.—The 
term ‘‘minority-serving institution’’ means— 
(A) a Hispanic-serving institution (as de-
fined in section 502(a) of the Higher Education 
Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1101a(a))); 
(B) an Alaska Native-serving institution 
(as defined in section 317(b) of the Higher 
Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1059d(b))); 
(C) a Native Hawaiian-serving institution 
(as defined in section 317(b) of the Higher 
Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1059d(b))); 
(D) a Predominantly Black Institution (as 
defined in section 371(c) of the Higher Edu-
cation Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1067q(c))); 
(E) an Asian American and Native Amer-
ican Pacific Islander-serving institution (as de-
494 
fined in section 371(c) of the Higher Education 
Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1067q(c))); and 
(F) a Native American-serving nontribal 
institution (as defined in section 371(c) of the 
Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 
1067q(c))). 
(4) NATIONAL LABORATORY.—The term ‘‘Na-
tional Laboratory’’ has the meaning given such term 
in section 2 of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (42 
U.S.C. 15801). 
(5) RESILIENCE.—The term ‘‘resilience’’ has 
the meaning given such term in section 1304A of 
the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 
(42 U.S.C. 17384a). 
(6) SECRETARY.—The term ‘‘Secretary’’ means 
the Secretary of Energy. 
(7) TRIBAL
COLLEGE
OR
UNIVERSITY.—The 
term ‘‘Tribal College or University’’ has the meaning 
given the term in section 316 of the Higher Edu-
cation Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1059c). 
(e) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—There is 
authorized to be appropriated to carry out the Program 
$10,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2024 through 2028.
495 
TITLE V—WILDFIRE INSURANCE 
COVERAGE STUDY 
SEC. 501. SHORT TITLE. 
This title may be cited as the ‘‘Wildfire Insurance 
Coverage Study Act of 2022’’. 
SEC. 502. NATIONAL WILDFIRE RISK ASSESSMENT. 
(a) STUDY.—The Administrator of the Federal 
Emergency Management Agency shall, pursuant to the au-
thority under section 1371 of the National Flood Insur-
ance Act of 1968 (42 U.S.C. 4122), conduct a study re-
garding wildfire risk in the United States to— 
(1) identify trends in declarations for wildfires 
under the Fire Management Assistance grant pro-
gram under section 420 of the Robert T. Stafford 
Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 
U.S.C. 5187), with respect to geography, costs, 
probability, and frequency of wildfire disasters; 
(2) identify mitigation practices that would as-
sist in reducing premiums for insurance policies cov-
ering damages from wildfires; 
(3) identify existing programs of the Federal 
Government and State governments that measure 
wildfire risk and assess their effectiveness in fore-
casting wildfire events and informing wildfire re-
sponse; and
496 
(4) analyze and assess the need for a national 
map for measuring and quantifying wildfire risk. 
(b) REPORT.—Not later than 1 year after date of the 
enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall submit to 
the Congress a report regarding the findings and conclu-
sions of the study conducted pursuant to subsection (a), 
which shall include a recommendation with regard to the 
need for a national map referred to in subsection (a)(4). 
SEC. 503. GAO STUDY REGARDING INSURANCE FOR WILD-
FIRE DAMAGE. 
(a) STUDY.—The Comptroller General of the United 
States, in consultation with the Director of the Federal 
Insurance Office and State insurance regulators, shall 
conduct a study to analyze and determine the following: 
(1) EXISTING STATE OF COVERAGE.—With re-
spect to the existing state of homeowners insurance 
coverage and commercial property insurance cov-
erage for damage from wildfires in the United 
States— 
(A) the extent to which private insurers 
have, during the 10-year period ending on the 
date of the enactment of this Act, increased 
rates, cost-sharing provisions, or both for such 
coverage (after adjusting for inflation) and the
497 
geographic areas in which such increased rates, 
cost-sharing, or both applied; 
(B) the extent to which private insurers 
have, during the 10-year period ending on the 
date of the enactment of this Act, refused to 
renew policies for such coverages and the geo-
graphic areas to which such refusals applied; 
(C) the events that have triggered such in-
creased rates and refusals to renew policies; 
(D) in cases in which private insurers cur-
tail coverage, the extent to which homeowners 
coverage and commercial property coverage are 
terminated altogether and the extent to which 
such coverages are offered but with coverage for 
damage from wildfires excluded; and 
(E) the extent to which, and circumstances 
under which, private insurers are continuing to 
provide coverage for damage from wildfires— 
(i) in general; 
(ii) subject to a condition that mitiga-
tion activities are taken, such as hardening 
of properties and landscaping against 
wildfires, by property owners, State or 
local governments, park or forest authori-
498 
ties, or other land management authorities; 
and 
(iii) subject to any other conditions. 
(2) REGULATORY RESPONSES.—With respect to 
actions taken by State insurance regulatory agencies 
in response to increased premium rates, cost-shar-
ing, or both for coverage for damage from wildfires 
and exclusion of such coverage from homeowners 
policies— 
(A) the extent of rate regulation; 
(B) the extent of moratoria on such rate 
and cost-sharing increases and exclusions and 
on nonrenewals; 
(C) the extent to which States require 
homeowners coverage to include coverage for 
damage from wildfires or make sales of home-
owners coverage contingent on the sale, under-
writing, or financing of separate wildfire cov-
erage in the State; 
(D) the extent to which States have estab-
lished State residual market insurance entities, 
reinsurance programs, or similar mechanisms 
for coverage of damages from wildfires; 
(E) any other actions States or localities 
have taken in response to increased premium
499 
rates, cost-sharing, or both for coverage for 
damage from wildfires and exclusion of such 
coverage from homeowners policies, including 
forestry and wildfire management policies and 
subsidies for premiums and cost-sharing for 
wildfire coverage; 
(F) the effects on the homeownership cov-
erage market of such actions taken by States; 
and 
(G) the effectiveness and sustainability of 
such actions taken by States. 
(3) IMPEDIMENTS IN UNDERWRITING WILDFIRE 
RISK.—With respect to impediments faced by private 
insurers underwriting wildfire risk, what is or are— 
(A) the correlated risks and the extent of 
such risks; 
(B) the extent of private insurers’ inability 
to estimate magnitude of future likelihood of 
wildfires and of expected damages from 
wildfires; 
(C) the extent to which need for affordable 
housing contributes to people relocating to more 
remote, heavily wooded areas with higher wild-
fire risk;
500 
(D) the potential for wildfire losses suffi-
ciently large to jeopardize insurers’ solvency; 
(E) the extent to which, and areas in 
which, risk-adjusted market premiums for wild-
fire risk are so high as to be unaffordable; 
(F) the manners in which the Federal Gov-
ernment and State governments can alleviate 
any of these impediments, including through— 
(i) improved forest management poli-
cies to reduce wildfire risk; 
(ii) improved data to estimate risk; 
(iii) relocating homeowners from wild-
fire zones; 
(iv) allowing insurers to charge risk- 
adjusted premiums for wildfire risk, com-
bined with subsidized premiums for lower- 
income homeowners; and 
(v) taking a last-loss position in rein-
suring wildfire risk; 
(G) the available policy responses if private 
insurers exit the wildfire coverage market and 
the advantages and disadvantages of each such 
response;
501 
(H) the effects of lack of wildfire coverage 
or more expensive wildfire coverage rates, cost- 
sharing, or both— 
(i) on local communities, including on 
low- or moderate-income property owners 
and small businesses; 
(ii) by race and ethnicity; 
(iii) on rebuilding in communities pre-
viously damaged by wildfires; and 
(iv) on the demand for wildfire cov-
erage by property owners; 
(I) the effects of potential State prohibi-
tions on termination of policies due to wildfire 
claims on insurer solvency; and 
(J) the manner in which private insurers 
are modeling or estimating future wildfire risk. 
(b) REPORT.—Not later than 2 years after the date 
of enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General shall 
submit to the Congress a report identifying the findings 
and conclusions of the study conducted pursuant to sub-
section (a). 
TITLE VI—OTHER MATTERS 
SEC. 601. EXTREME WEATHER EVENTS. 
(a) DEFINITIONS.—
502 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Section 203 of the Robert T. 
Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance 
Act (42 U.S.C. 5133) is amended— 
(A) by amending subsection (a) to read as 
follows: 
‘‘(a) DEFINITION OF UNDERSERVED COMMUNITY.— 
In this section, the term ‘underserved community’ means 
a community, or a neighborhood within a community, 
that— 
‘‘(1) is classified as high risk according to cen-
sus tract risk ratings derived from a product that— 
‘‘(A) is maintained under a natural hazard 
assessment program; 
‘‘(B) is available to the public; 
‘‘(C) defines natural hazard risk across the 
United States; 
‘‘(D) reflects high levels of individual haz-
ard risk ratings; 
‘‘(E) reflects high social vulnerability rat-
ings and low community resilience ratings; 
‘‘(F) reflects the principal natural hazard 
risks identified for the respective census tracts; 
and 
‘‘(G) any other elements determined by the 
President.
503 
‘‘(2) is comprised of 50,000 or fewer individuals 
and is economically disadvantaged, as determined by 
the State in which the community is located and 
based on criteria established by the President; or 
‘‘(3) is otherwise determined by the President 
based on factors including, high housing cost burden 
and substandard housing, percentage of homeless 
population, limited water and sanitation access, de-
mographic information such as race, age, and dis-
ability, language composition, transportation access 
or type, disproportionate environmental stressor bur-
den, and disproportionate impacts from climate 
change.’’; 
(B) in subsection (g)(9) by striking ‘‘small 
impoverished communities’’ and inserting ‘‘un-
derserved communities’’; and 
(C) in subsection (h)(2)— 
(i) in the heading by striking ‘‘SMALL 
IMPOVERISHED COMMUNITIES’’ and insert-
ing ‘‘UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES’’; and 
(ii) by striking ‘‘small impoverished 
community’’ and inserting ‘‘underserved 
community’’. 
(2) APPLICABILITY.—The amendments made 
by subsection (a) shall apply with respect to any
504 
amounts appropriated on or after the date of enact-
ment of this Act. 
(b) 
GUIDANCE
ON
EXTREME
TEMPERATURE 
EVENTS.—Not later than 1 year after the date of enact-
ment of this Act, the Administrator of the Federal Emer-
gency Management Administration shall issue guidance 
related to extreme temperature events, including heat 
waves and freezes, and publish such guidance in the Fed-
eral Emergency Management Administration Public As-
sistance Program and Policy Guide. 
(c) HAZARD MITIGATION PLANS.—Section 322 of the 
Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assist-
ance Act (42 U.S.C. 5165) is amended— 
(1) in subsection (a) by striking the period at 
the end and inserting ‘‘, including— 
‘‘(1) identifying the extent to which resilience is 
or will be incorporated into other planning processes, 
including community land use, economic develop-
ment, capital improvement budgets and transpor-
tation planning processes; 
‘‘(2) goals and objectives related to increasing 
resilience over a 5-year period, including benchmarks 
for future work and an assessment of past progress; 
‘‘(3) the building codes in existence at the time 
the plan is submitted and standards that are in use
505 
by the State for all manner of planning or develop-
ment purposes and how the State has or will comply 
with the standards set forth in section 406(e)(1)(A); 
‘‘(4) the use of nature-based solutions or other 
mitigation activities that conserve or restore natural 
features that can serve to abate or lessen the im-
pacts of future disasters; 
‘‘(5) integration of each local mitigation plan 
with the State, Indian Tribe, or territory plan; and 
‘‘(6) the disparate impacts on underserved com-
munities (as such term is defined in section 203(a)) 
and plans to address any disparities.’’; and 
(2) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(f) GUIDANCE.—The Administrator of the Federal 
Emergency Management Agency shall issue specific guid-
ance on resilience goals and provide technical assistance 
for States, Indian Tribes, territories, and local govern-
ments to meet such goals. 
‘‘(g) ADEQUATE STAFFING.—The Administrator of 
the Federal Emergency Management Agency shall ensure 
that ample staff are available to develop the guidance and 
technical assistance under section 322, including hazard 
mitigation planning staff and personnel with expertise in 
community planning, land use development, and consensus 
based codes and hazard resistant designs at each regional
506 
office that specifically focus on providing financial and 
non-financial direct technical assistance to States, Indian 
Tribes, and territories. 
‘‘(h) REPORTING.—Not less frequently than every 5 
years, the Administrator shall submit to Congress a report 
on the progress of meeting the goals under this section.’’. 
(d) ADDITIONAL USES OF FUNDS.—Section 408 of 
the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency As-
sistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5174) is amended by adding at 
the end the following: 
‘‘(k) ADDITIONAL USES OF FUNDS.—For State and 
local governments that have exceeded, adopted, or are im-
plementing the latest two published editions of relevant 
consensus-based codes, specifications, and standards that 
incorporate the latest hazard-resistant designs and estab-
lish minimum acceptable criteria for the design, construc-
tion, and maintenance of residential structures and facili-
ties, a recipient of assistance provided under this para-
graph may use such assistance in a manner consistent 
with the standards set forth in clauses (ii) and (iii) of sec-
tion 406(e)(1)(A).’’. 
(e) COLLABORATION WITH OTHER AGENCIES.—In 
awarding grants under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster 
Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5121 et 
seq.), the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Man-
507 
agement Agency may coordinate with other relevant agen-
cies, including the Environmental Protection Agency, the 
Department of Energy, the Department of Transpor-
tation, the Corps of Engineers, the Department of Agri-
culture, and the Department of Housing and Urban De-
velopment, as necessary, to improve collaboration for eligi-
ble activities under the Act. 
(f) GAO REPORTS.— 
(1) EXTREME
TEMPERATURE
EVENTS.—Not 
later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this 
Act, and every 5 years thereafter, the Comptroller 
General of the United States shall evaluate and 
issue to Congress and the Federal Emergency Man-
agement Agency a report regarding the impacts of 
extreme temperatures events on communities, the 
challenges posed to the Federal Emergency Manage-
ment Agency in addressing extreme temperature 
events, and recommendations for the Federal Emer-
gency Management Agency to better provide assist-
ance to communities experiencing extreme tempera-
ture events. The report may also include examples of 
specific mitigation and resilience projects that com-
munities may undertake, and the Federal Emer-
gency Management Agency may consider, to reduce 
the impacts of extreme temperatures on and within
508 
building structures, participatory processes that 
allow for public engagement in determining and ad-
dressing local risks and vulnerabilities related to ex-
treme temperatures events, and community infra-
structure, including heating or cooling shelters. 
(2) SMOKE
AND
INDOOR
AIR
QUALITY.—Not 
later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this 
Act, and every 5 years thereafter, the Comptroller 
General shall evaluate and issue to Congress and the 
Federal Emergency Management Agency a report 
regarding the impacts of wildfire smoke and poor in-
door air quality, the challenges posed to Federal 
Emergency Management Agency in addressing wild-
fire smoke and indoor air quality, and recommenda-
tions for the Federal Emergency Management Agen-
cy to better provide assistance to communities and 
individuals in dealing with wildfire smoke and indoor 
air quality. 
(g) REPORT CONGRESS AND UPDATE OF COST EF-
FECTIVENESS DETERMINATIONS AND DECLARATIONS.— 
(1) REPORT.—Not later than 2 years after the 
date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator of 
the Federal Emergency Management Agency, in co-
ordination with the Director of the Office of Man-
agement and Budget, shall submit to Congress a re-
509 
port regarding the challenges posed by the Agency’s 
requirements for declaring an incident or deter-
mining the cost effectiveness of mitigation activities 
and specifically how such requirements may dis-
proportionately burden small impoverished commu-
nities, or specific vulnerable populations within com-
munities. 
(2) UPDATE OF COST EFFECTIVENESS DETER-
MINATION.—Not later than 5 years after the date of 
enactment of this Act, the Administrator, to the ex-
tent practicable, shall update the requirements for 
determining cost effectiveness and declaring inci-
dents, including selection of appropriate interest 
rates, based on the findings made under subsection 
(a). 
SEC. 602. FIRE MANAGEMENT ASSISTANCE PROGRAM POL-
ICY. 
The Administrator of the Federal Emergency Man-
agement Agency shall issue such regulations as are nec-
essary to update the categories of eligibility and timelines 
for the fire management assistance program under section 
420 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emer-
gency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5187) to be, to the max-
imum extent practicable, the same as such categories and
510 
timelines under the public assistance program under sec-
tion 406 of such Act (42 U.S.C. 5172). 
SEC. 603. CHANGES TO PUBLIC ASSISTANCE POLICY GUIDE. 
Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment 
of this Act, the Administrator of the Federal Emergency 
Management Agency shall issue such regulations as are 
necessary to update the Public Assistance Program and 
Policy Guide of the Federal Emergency Management 
Agency to include guidance on the wildfire-specific chal-
lenges, including debris removal, emergency protective 
measures, and the resulting toxicity of drinking water re-
sources. 
SEC. 604. MITIGATION BENEFIT-COST ANALYSIS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Administrator of the Federal 
Emergency Management Agency shall conduct a review of 
the benefit cost analysis criteria for mitigation projects 
under sections 203 and 404 of the Robert T. Stafford Dis-
aster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. ) 
to consider a broader range of factors, including— 
(1) the establishment of a benefit cost analysis 
pre-calculated benefits critereon for common defen-
sible space mitigation projects; 
(2) projects that use nature-based infrastruc-
ture;
511 
(3) considerations for ecological and societal 
health; 
(4) carbon sequestration; 
(5) improved water quality; and 
(6) lessening disaster impact on traditionally 
underserved communities. 
(b) UPDATED CRITERIA.—Not later than 1 year after 
the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall 
issue such regulations as are necessary to— 
(1) update the benefit cost analysis criteria for 
mitigation projects under sections 203 and 404 of 
the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emer-
gency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. ) based on the re-
sults of the review conducted under subsection (a); 
and 
(2) prioritize projects under such sections based 
on the benefit cost analysis criteria updated under 
paragraph (1).
512 
TITLE 
VII—COLLATERAL 
RE-
QUIREMENTS FOR DISASTER 
LOANS UNDER THE SMALL 
BUSINESS ACT 
SEC. 701. COLLATERAL REQUIREMENTS FOR DISASTER 
LOANS UNDER THE SMALL BUSINESS ACT. 
(a) AMENDMENT TO THE RISE AFTER DISASTER 
ACT OF 2015.—Section 2102 of the RISE After Disaster 
Act of 2015 (Public Law 114–88) is amended— 
(1) by striking subsections (b) and (c); and 
(2) by striking ‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—’’. 
(b) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The amendment made by 
subsection (a) shall take effect and apply as though en-
acted as part of the RISE After Disaster Act of 2015 
(Public Law 114–88). 
DIVISION D—ENVIRONMENTAL 
JUSTICE 
SEC. 101. DEFINITIONS. 
In this division: 
(1) ADMINISTRATOR.—The term ‘‘Adminis-
trator’’ means the Administrator of the Environ-
mental Protection Agency. 
(2) ADVISORY COUNCIL.—The term ‘‘Advisory 
Council’’ means the National Environmental Justice 
Advisory Council described in section 109.
513 
(3) AGGRIEVED PERSON.—The term ‘‘aggrieved 
person’’ means a person aggrieved by discrimination 
on the basis of race, color, or national origin. 
(4) CLEARINGHOUSE.—The term ‘‘Clearing-
house’’ means the Environmental Justice Clearing-
house established by the Administrator under section 
107. 
(5) COMMUNITY OF COLOR.—The term ‘‘com-
munity of color’’ means any geographically distinct 
area the population of color of which is higher than 
the average population of color of the State in which 
the community is located. 
(6) COMMUNITY-BASED
SCIENCE.—The term 
‘‘community-based science’’ means voluntary public 
participation in the scientific process and the incor-
poration of data and information generated outside 
of traditional institutional boundaries to address 
real-world problems in ways that may include formu-
lating research questions, conducting scientific ex-
periments, collecting and analyzing data, inter-
preting results, making new discoveries, developing 
technologies and applications, and solving complex 
problems, with an emphasis on the democratization 
of science and the engagement of diverse people and 
communities.
514 
(7) 
DEMONSTRATES.—The 
term 
‘‘dem-
onstrates’’ means meets the burdens of going for-
ward with the evidence and of persuasion. 
(8) DIRECTOR.—The term ‘‘Director’’ means 
the Director of the National Institute of Environ-
mental Health Sciences. 
(9) DISPARATE IMPACT.—The term ‘‘disparate 
impact’’ means an action or practice that, even if 
appearing neutral, actually has the effect of sub-
jecting persons to discrimination on the basis of 
race, color, or national origin. 
(10) DISPROPORTIONATE BURDEN OF ADVERSE 
HUMAN HEALTH OR ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS.— 
The term ‘‘disproportionate burden of adverse 
human health or environmental effects’’ means a sit-
uation where there exists higher or more adverse 
human health or environmental effects on commu-
nities of color, low- income communities, and Tribal 
and Indigenous communities. 
(11) ENVIRONMENTAL
JUSTICE.—The term 
‘‘environmental justice’’ means the fair treatment 
and meaningful involvement of all individuals, re-
gardless of race, color, culture, national origin, edu-
cational level, or income, with respect to the develop-
ment, implementation, and enforcement of environ-
515 
mental laws, regulations, and policies to ensure 
that— 
(A) populations of color, communities of 
color, Tribal and Indigenous communities, and 
low-income communities have access to public 
information and opportunities for meaningful 
public participation relating to human health 
and environmental planning, regulations, and 
enforcement; 
(B) Each population of color or community 
of color, Tribal and Indigenous community, or 
low-income community enjoy the same degree of 
protection from pollution or other environ-
mental and health hazards; and 
(C) the 17 Principles of Environmental 
Justice written and adopted at the First Na-
tional People of Color Environmental Leader-
ship Summit held on October through 27, 1991, 
in Washington, DC, are upheld. 
(12) ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE COMMUNITY.— 
The term ‘‘environmental justice community’’ means 
a community with significant representation of com-
munities of color, low-income communities, or Tribal 
and Indigenous communities, that experiences, or is
516 
at risk of experiencing higher or more adverse 
human health or environmental effects. 
(13) FAIR TREATMENT.—The term ‘‘fair treat-
ment’’ means the conduct of a program, policy, prac-
tice or activity by a Federal agency in a manner that 
ensures that no group of individuals (including ra-
cial, ethnic, or socioeconomic groups) experience a 
disproportionate burden of adverse human health or 
environmental effects resulting from such program, 
policy, practice, or activity, as determined through 
consultation with, and with the meaningful partici-
pation of, individuals from the communities affected 
by a program, policy, practice or activity of a Fed-
eral agency. 
(14) FEDERAL
AGENCY.—The term ‘‘Federal 
agency’’ means— 
(A) each Federal agency represented on 
the Working Group; and 
(B) any other Federal agency that carries 
out a Federal program or activity that substan-
tially affects human health or the environment, 
as determined by the President. 
(15) TRIBAL AND INDIGENOUS COMMUNITY.— 
The term ‘‘Tribal and Indigenous community’’ refers 
to a population of people who are members of—
517 
(A) a federally recognized Indian Tribe; 
(B) a State-recognized Indian Tribe; 
(C) an Alaska Native or Native Hawaiian 
community or organization; and 
(D) any other community of Indigenous 
people located in a State. 
(16) INDIAN TRIBE.—The term ‘‘Indian Tribe’’ 
has the meaning given the term in section 4 of the 
Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance 
Act (U.S.C. 5304). 
(17) INFRASTRUCTURE.—The term ‘‘infrastruc-
ture’’ means any system for safe drinking water, 
sewer collection, solid waste disposal, electricity gen-
eration, communication, or transportation access (in-
cluding highways, airports, marine terminals, rail 
systems, and residential roads) that is used to effec-
tively and safely support— 
(A) housing; 
(B) an educational facility; 
(C) a medical provider; 
(D) a park or recreational facility; or 
(E) a local business. 
(18) LOCAL
GOVERNMENT.—The term ‘‘local 
government’’ means—
518 
(A) a county, municipality, city, town, 
township, local public authority, school district, 
special district, intrastate district, council of 
governments (regardless of whether the council 
of governments is incorporated as a nonprofit 
corporation under State law), regional or inter-
state governmental entity, or agency or instru-
mentality of a local government; or 
(B) an Indian Tribe or authorized Tribal 
organization, or Alaska Native village or organi-
zation, that is not a Tribal Government. 
(19) LOW
INCOME.—The term ‘‘low income’’ 
means an annual household income equal to, or less 
than, the greater of— 
(A) an amount equal to 80 percent of the 
median income of the area in which the house-
hold is located, as reported by the Department 
of Housing and Urban Development; and 
(B) 200 percent of the Federal poverty 
line. 
(20) LOW-INCOME
COMMUNITY.—The term 
‘‘low income community’’ means any census block 
group in which 30 percent or more of the population 
are individuals with low income.
519 
(21) MEANINGFUL.—The term ‘‘meaningful’’, 
with respect to involvement by the public in a deter-
mination by a Federal agency, means that— 
(A) potentially affected residents of a com-
munity have an appropriate opportunity to par-
ticipate in decisions regarding a proposed activ-
ity that will affect the environment or public 
health of the community; 
(B) the public contribution can influence 
the determination by the Federal agency; 
(C) the concerns of all participants in-
volved are taken into consideration in the deci-
sion-making process; and 
(D) the Federal agency— 
(i) provides to potentially affected 
members of the public relevant and accu-
rate information regarding the activity po-
tentially affecting the environment or pub-
lic health of affected members of the pub-
lic; and 
(ii) facilitates the involvement of po-
tentially affected members of the public. 
(22) POPULATION.—The term ‘‘population’’ 
means a census block group or series of geographi-
cally contiguous blocks representing certain common
520 
characteristics, such as race, ethnicity, national ori-
gin, income-level, health disparities, or other public 
health and socioeconomic attributes. 
(23) POPULATION OF COLOR.—The term ‘‘pop-
ulation of color’’ means a population of individuals 
who identify as— 
(A) Black; 
(B) African American; 
(C) Asian; 
(D) Pacific Islander; 
(E) another non-White race; 
(F) Hispanic; 
(G) Latino; or 
(H) linguistically isolated. 
(24) PUBLISH.—The term ‘‘publish’’ means to 
make publicly available in a form that is— 
(A) generally accessible, including on the 
internet and in public libraries; and 
(B) accessible for— 
(i) individuals who are limited in 
English proficiency, in accordance with Ex-
ecutive Order No. 13166 (65 Fed. Reg. 
50121 (August 16, 2000)); and 
(ii) individuals with disabilities.
521 
(25) STATE.—The term ‘‘State’’ means any 
State of the United States, the District of Columbia, 
Puerto Rico, the United States Virgin Islands, 
Guam, American Samoa, and the Commonwealth of 
the Northern Mariana Islands. 
(26) TRIBAL GOVERNMENT.—The term ‘‘Tribal 
Government’’ means the governing body of an In-
dian Tribe. 
(27) WHITE HOUSE INTERAGENCY COUNCIL.— 
The term ‘‘White House Interagency Council’’ 
means the White House Environmental Justice 
Interagency Council. 
(28) CLIMATE
JUSTICE.—The term ‘‘climate 
justice’’ means the fair treatment and meaningful 
involvement of all individuals, regardless of race, 
color, culture, national origin, educational level, or 
income, with respect to the development, implemen-
tation, and enforcement of policies and projects that 
address climate change, a recognition of the histor-
ical responsibilities for climate change, and a com-
mitment that the people and communities least re-
sponsible for climate change, and most vulnerable to 
the impacts of climate change, do not suffer dis-
proportionately as a result of historical injustice and 
disinvestment.
522 
(29) NATURAL
INFRASTRUCTURE.—The term 
‘‘natural infrastructure’’ means infrastructure that 
uses, restores, or emulates natural ecological proc-
esses and— 
(A) is created through the action of nat-
ural physical, geological, biological, and chem-
ical processes over time; 
(B) is created by human design, engineer-
ing, and construction to emulate or act in con-
cert with natural processes; or 
(C) involves the use of plants, soils, and 
other natural features, including through the 
creation, restoration, or preservation of vege-
tated areas using materials appropriate to the 
region to manage stormwater and runoff, to at-
tenuate flooding and storm surges, to prevent 
and mitigate and address wildfires and drought, 
and for other related purposes. 
SEC. 102. ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE COMMUNITY TECH-
NICAL ASSISTANCE GRANTS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Administrator may award 
grants to eligible entities to enable such entities to partici-
pate in decisions impacting the health and safety of their 
communities in connection with an actual or potential re-
523 
lease of a covered hazardous air pollutant or in connection 
with wildfires or drought. 
(b) TIMING.— 
(1) GUIDANCE.—Not later than 12 months 
after the date of enactment of this section, the Ad-
ministrator shall publish guidance describing the 
process for eligible entities to apply for a grant 
under this section, including the required content 
and form of applications, the manner in which appli-
cations must be submitted, and any applicable dead-
lines. 
(2) FIRST GRANT.—Not later than 180 days 
after the issuance of guidance under paragraph (1), 
the Administrator shall award the first grant under 
this section. 
(c) ELIGIBLE ENTITY.—To be eligible for a grant 
under this section, an applicant shall be a group of individ-
uals who reside in a community that— 
(1) is a population of color, a community of 
color, a Tribal and Indigenous community, or a low- 
income community; and 
(2) is in close proximity to the site of an actual 
or potential release of a covered hazardous air pol-
lutant.
524 
(d) USE OF FUNDS.—An eligible entity receiving a 
grant under this section shall use the grant to participate 
in decisions impacting the health and safety of the commu-
nity involved in connection with an actual or potential re-
lease of a covered hazardous air pollutant, including— 
(1) interpreting information with regard to the 
nature of the hazard, cumulative impacts studies, 
health impacts studies, remedial investigation and 
feasibility studies, agency decisions, remedial design, 
and operation and maintenance of necessary mon-
itors; and 
(2) performing additional air pollution moni-
toring. 
(e) LIMITATIONS ON AMOUNT; RENEWAL.— 
(1) AMOUNT.— 
(A) IN GENERAL.—The amount of a grant 
under this section (excluding any renewals of 
the grant) may not exceed $50,000 for any 
grant recipient. 
(B) EXCEPTION.—The Administrator may 
waive the limitation in subparagraph (A) with 
respect to an applicant in any case where the 
Administrator determines that such waiver is 
necessary for the community involved to obtain 
the necessary technical assistance.
525 
(2) RENEWAL.—Grants may be renewed for 
each step in the regulatory, removal, or remediation 
process in connection with a facility with the poten-
tial to release a covered hazardous air pollutant. 
(f) DEFINITION OF COVERED HAZARDOUS AIR POL-
LUTANT.—In this section, the term ‘‘covered hazardous 
air pollutant’’ means a hazardous air pollutant (as defined 
in section 112 of the Clean Air Act) that— 
(1) is listed on the toxics release inventory 
under section (c) of the Emergency Planning and 
Community Right-To-Know Act of 1986; or 
(2) is identified as carcinogenic by an assess-
ment under the Integrated Risk Information System 
(IRIS) of the Environmental Protection Agency. 
SEC. 103. WHITE HOUSE ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE INTER-
AGENCY COUNCIL. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The President shall maintain 
within the Executive Office of the President a White 
House Environmental Justice Interagency Council. 
(b) REQUIREMENTS.— 
(1) COMPOSITION.—The White House Inter-
agency Council shall be comprised of the following 
(or a designee): 
(A) The Secretary of Agriculture. 
(B) The Secretary of Commerce.
526 
(C) The Secretary of Defense. 
(D) The Secretary of Energy. 
(E) The Secretary of Health and Human 
Services. 
(F) The Secretary of Homeland Security. 
(G) The Secretary of Housing and Urban 
Development. 
(H) The Secretary of the Interior. 
(I) The Secretary of Labor. 
(J) The Secretary of Transportation. 
(K) The Attorney General. 
(L) The Administrator. 
(M) The Director of the Office of Environ-
mental Justice. 
(N) The Chairman of the Consumer Prod-
uct Safety Commission. 
(O) The Chairperson of the Chemical Safe-
ty Board. 
(P) The Director of the Office of Manage-
ment and Budget. 
(Q) The Director of the Office of Science 
and Technology Policy. 
(R) The Chair of the Council on Environ-
mental Quality.
527 
(S) The Assistant to the President for Do-
mestic Policy. 
(T) The Director of the National Economic 
Council. 
(U) The Chairman of the Council of Eco-
nomic Advisers. 
(V) The Secretary of Education. 
(W) The Deputy Assistant to the President 
for Environmental Policy. 
(X) The Director of the National Institutes 
of Health. 
(Y) The Director of the National Park 
Service. 
(Z) The Assistant Secretary of the Bureau 
of Indian Affairs. 
(AA) The Chairperson of the National En-
vironmental Justice Advisory Council. 
(BB) Such other Federal officials as the 
President may designate. 
(2) FUNCTIONS.—The White House Inter-
agency Council shall— 
(A) report to the President through the 
Chair of the Council on Environmental Quality; 
(B) provide guidance to Federal agencies 
regarding criteria for identifying disproportion-
528 
ately high and adverse human health or envi-
ronmental effects— 
(i) on populations of color, commu-
nities of color, Tribal and Indigenous com-
munities, and low-income communities; 
and 
(ii) on the basis of race, color, na-
tional origin, or income; 
(C) coordinate with, provide guidance to, 
and serve as a clearinghouse for, each Federal 
agency with respect to the implementation and 
updating of an environmental justice strategy 
required under this division, in order to ensure 
that the administration, interpretation, and en-
forcement of programs, activities, and policies 
are carried out in a consistent manner; (D) as-
sist in coordinating research by, and stimu-
lating cooperation among, the Environmental 
Protection Agency, the Department of Health 
and Human Services, the Department of Hous-
ing and Urban Development, and other Federal 
agencies conducting research or other activities 
in accordance with this division; 
(E) identify, based in part on public rec-
ommendations contained in Federal agency
529 
progress reports, important areas for Federal 
agencies to take into consideration and address, 
as appropriate, in environmental justice strate-
gies and other efforts; 
(F) assist in coordinating data collection 
and maintaining and updating appropriate 
databases, as required by this division; 
(G) examine existing data and studies re-
lating to environmental justice; 
(H) hold public meetings and otherwise so-
licit public participation under paragraph (3); 
and 
(I) develop interagency model projects re-
lating to environmental justice that demonstrate 
cooperation among Federal agencies. 
(3) PUBLIC PARTICIPATION.—The White House 
Interagency Council shall— 
(A) hold public meetings or otherwise so-
licit public participation and community-based 
science for the purpose of fact-finding with re-
spect to the implementation of this division; and 
(B) prepare for public review and publish 
a summary of any comments and recommenda-
tions provided.
530 
(c) JUDICIAL REVIEW AND RIGHTS OF ACTION.— 
Any person may commence a civil action— 
(1) to seek relief from, or to compel, an agency 
action under this section (including regulations pro-
mulgated pursuant to this section); or 
(2) otherwise to ensure compliance with this 
section (including regulations promulgated pursuant 
to this section). 
SEC. 104. FEDERAL AGENCY ACTIONS TO ADDRESS ENVI-
RONMENTAL JUSTICE. 
(a) FEDERAL AGENCY RESPONSIBILITIES.— 
(1) ENVIRONMENTAL
JUSTICE
MISSION.—To 
the maximum extent practicable and permitted by 
applicable law, each Federal agency shall make 
achieving environmental justice part of the mission 
of the Federal agency by identifying, addressing, 
and mitigating disproportionately high and adverse 
human health or environmental effects of the pro-
grams, policies, and activities of the Federal agency 
on populations of color, communities of color, Tribal 
and Indigenous communities, and low-income com-
munities in the United States (including the terri-
tories and possessions of the United States and the 
District of Columbia).
531 
(2) NONDISCRIMINATION.—Each Federal agen-
cy shall conduct any program, policy, or activity that 
substantially affects human health or the environ-
ment in a manner that ensures that the program, 
policy, or activity does not have the effect of exclud-
ing any individual or group from participation in, 
denying any individual or group the benefits of, or 
subjecting any individual or group to discrimination 
under, the program, policy, or activity on the basis 
of race, color, or national origin. 
(3) STRATEGIES.— 
(A) 
AGENCYWIDE
STRATEGIES.—Each 
Federal agency shall implement and update, not 
less frequently than annually, an agencywide 
environmental justice strategy that identifies 
and 
includes 
strategies 
to 
address 
disproportionally high and adverse human 
health or environmental effects of the pro-
grams, policies, spending, and other activities of 
the Federal agency with respect to populations 
of color, communities of color, Tribal and Indig-
enous communities, and low- income commu-
nities, including, as appropriate for the mission 
of the Federal agency, with respect to the fol-
lowing areas:
532 
(i) Implementation of the National 
Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 
U.S.C. et seq.). 
(ii) Implementation of title VI of the 
Civil Rights Act of 1964 (42 U.S.C. 2000d 
et seq.) (including regulations promulgated 
pursuant to that title). 
(iii) Implementation of the Robert T. 
Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency 
Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5121 et seq.). 
(iv) Impacts from the lack of infra-
structure, or from deteriorated infrastruc-
ture. 
(v) Impacts from land use. 
(vi) Impacts from climate change, in-
cluding wildfires and drought. 
(vii) Impacts from commercial trans-
portation. 
(viii) Strategies for the implementa-
tion of agency programs, policies, and ac-
tivities to provide for— 
(I) equal protection from environ-
mental and health hazards for popu-
lations of color, communities of color,
533 
Tribal and Indigenous communities, 
and low-income communities; 
(II) equal opportunity for public 
involvement and due process to popu-
lations of color, communities of color, 
Tribal and Indigenous communities, 
and low-income communities in the 
development, implementation, and en-
forcement of agency programs, poli-
cies, and activities; 
(III) improved technical assist-
ance and access to information to 
populations of color, communities of 
color, Tribal and Indigenous commu-
nities, and low-income communities 
regarding the impacts of agency pro-
grams, policies, and activities on envi-
ronmental justice communities; 
(IV) improved agency cooperation 
with State governments, Tribal Gov-
ernments, and local governments to 
address pollution and public health 
burdens for populations of color, com-
munities of color, Tribal and Indige-
534 
nous communities, and low-income 
communities. 
(B) REVISIONS.— 
(i) IN GENERAL.—Each strategy de-
veloped and updated pursuant to subpara-
graph (A) shall identify programs, policies, 
planning and public participation proc-
esses, rulemaking, agency spending, and 
enforcement activities relating to human 
health or the environment that may be re-
vised, at a minimum— 
(I) to promote enforcement of all 
health, environmental, and civil rights 
laws and regulations in areas con-
taining populations of color, commu-
nities of color, Tribal and Indigenous 
communities, and low-income commu-
nities; 
(II) to ensure greater public par-
ticipation; 
(III) to provide increased access 
to infrastructure; 
(IV) to improve research and 
data collection relating to the health 
and environment of populations of
535 
color, communities of color, Tribal 
and Indigenous communities, and low- 
income 
communities, 
including 
through the increased use of commu-
nity-based science; and 
(V) to identify differential pat-
terns of use of natural resources 
among populations of color, commu-
nities of color, Tribal and Indigenous 
communities, and low-income commu-
nities. 
(ii) TIMETABLES.—Each strategy im-
plemented and updated pursuant to sub-
paragraph (A) shall include a timetable for 
undertaking revisions identified pursuant 
to clause (i). 
(C) PROGRESS REPORTS.—Not later than 
1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, 
and not less frequently than once every 5 years 
thereafter, each Federal agency shall submit to 
Congress and the Working Group, and shall 
publish, a progress report that includes, with 
respect to the period covered by the report—
536 
(i) a description of the current envi-
ronmental justice strategy of the Federal 
agency; 
(ii) an evaluation of the progress 
made by the Federal agency at national 
and regional levels regarding implementa-
tion of the environmental justice strategy, 
including— 
(I) metrics used by the Federal 
agency to measure performance; and 
(II) the progress made by the 
Federal agency toward— 
(aa) the achievement of the 
metrics described in subclause 
(I); and 
(bb) mitigating identified in-
stances of environmental injus-
tice; 
(iii) a description of the participation 
by the Federal agency in interagency col-
laboration; 
(iv) responses to recommendations 
submitted by members of the public to the 
Federal agency relating to the environ-
mental justice strategy of the Federal
537 
agency and the implementation by the 
Federal agency of this division; and 
(v) any updates or revisions to the en-
vironmental justice strategy of the Federal 
agency, including those resulting from pub-
lic comments. 
(4) PUBLIC
PARTICIPATION.—Each Federal 
agency shall— 
(A) ensure that meaningful opportunities 
exist for the public to submit comments and 
recommendations relating to the environmental 
justice strategy, progress reports, and ongoing 
efforts of the Federal agency to incorporate en-
vironmental justice principles into the pro-
grams, policies, and activities of the Federal 
agency; 
(B) hold public meetings or otherwise so-
licit public participation and community-based 
science from populations of color, communities 
of color, Tribal and Indigenous communities, 
and low-income communities for fact-finding, 
receiving public comments, and conducting in-
quiries concerning environmental justice; and
538 
(C) prepare for public review and publish 
a summary of the comments and recommenda-
tions provided. 
(5) ACCESS TO INFORMATION.—Each Federal 
agency shall— 
(A) publish public documents, notices, and 
hearings relating to the programs, policies, and 
activities of the Federal agency that affect 
human health or the environment; and 
(B) translate and publish any public docu-
ments, notices, and hearings relating to an ac-
tion of the Federal agency as appropriate for 
the affected population, specifically in any case 
in which a limited English-speaking population 
may be disproportionately affected by that ac-
tion. 
(6) CODIFICATION OF GUIDANCE.— 
(A) COUNCIL ON ENVIRONMENTAL QUAL-
ITY.—Notwithstanding any other provision of 
law, sections II and III of the guidance issued 
by the Council on Environmental Quality enti-
tled ‘‘Environmental Justice Guidance Under 
the National Environmental Policy Act’’ and 
dated December 10, 1997, are enacted into law.
539 
(B) ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGEN-
CY.—Notwithstanding any other provision of 
law, the guidance issued by the Environmental 
Protection Agency entitled ‘‘EPA Policy on 
Consultation and Coordination with Indian 
Tribes: Guidance for Discussing Tribal Treaty 
Rights’’ and dated February 2016 is enacted 
into law. 
(b) HUMAN HEALTH
AND ENVIRONMENTAL RE-
SEARCH, DATA COLLECTION, AND ANALYSIS.— 
(1) RESEARCH.—Each Federal agency, to the 
maximum extent practicable and permitted by appli-
cable law, shall— 
(A) in conducting environmental or human 
health research, include diverse segments of the 
population in epidemiological and clinical stud-
ies, including segments at high risk from envi-
ronmental hazards, such as— 
(i) populations of color, communities 
of color, Tribal and Indigenous commu-
nities, populations with low income, and 
low-income communities; 
(ii) fenceline communities; and 
(iii) workers who may be exposed to 
substantial environmental hazards;
540 
(B) in conducting environmental or human 
health analyses, identify multiple and cumu-
lative exposures; and 
(C) actively encourage and solicit commu-
nity-based science, and provide to populations 
of color, communities of color, Tribal and Indig-
enous communities, populations with low in-
come, and low income communities the oppor-
tunity to comment regarding the development 
and design of research strategies carried out 
pursuant to this division. 
(2) DISPROPORTIONATE IMPACT.—To the max-
imum extent practicable and permitted by applicable 
law (including section 552a of title 5, United States 
Code (commonly known as the Privacy Act)), each 
Federal agency shall— 
(A) collect, maintain, and analyze informa-
tion assessing and comparing environmental 
and human health risks borne by populations 
identified by race, national origin, or income; 
and 
(B) use that information to determine 
whether the programs, policies, and activities of 
the Federal agency have disproportionally high 
and adverse human health or environmental ef-
541 
fects on populations of color, communities of 
color, Tribal and Indigenous communities, and 
low-income communities. 
(3) INFORMATION RELATING TO NON-FEDERAL 
FACILITIES.—In connection with the implementation 
of Federal agency strategies under subsection (a)(3), 
each Federal agency, to the maximum extent prac-
ticable and permitted by applicable law, shall collect, 
maintain, and analyze information relating to the 
race, national origin, and income level, and other 
readily accessible and appropriate information, for 
fenceline communities in proximity to any facility or 
site expected to have a substantial environmental, 
human health, or economic effect on the surrounding 
populations, if the facility or site becomes the sub-
ject of a substantial Federal environmental adminis-
trative or judicial action. 
(4) IMPACT FROM FEDERAL FACILITIES.—Each 
Federal agency, to the maximum extent practicable 
and permitted by applicable law, shall collect, main-
tain, and analyze information relating to the race, 
national origin, and income level, and other readily 
accessible and appropriate information, for fenceline 
communities in proximity to any facility of the Fed-
eral agency that is—
542 
(A) subject to the reporting requirements 
under the Emergency Planning and Community 
Right-To-Know Act of (42 U.S.C. 11001 et 
seq.), as required by Executive Order No. 
12898 (42 U.S.C. 4321 note; relating to Fed-
eral actions to address environmental justice in 
minority populations and low-income popu-
lations); and 
(B) expected to have a substantial environ-
mental, human health, or economic effect on 
surrounding populations. 
(c) CONSUMPTION OF FISH AND WILDLIFE.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Each Federal agency shall 
develop, publish (unless prohibited by law), and re-
vise, as practicable and appropriate, guidance on ac-
tions of the Federal agency that will impact fish and 
wildlife consumed by populations that principally 
rely on fish or wildlife for subsistence. 
(2) REQUIREMENT.—The guidance described in 
paragraph (1) shall— 
(A) reflect the latest scientific information 
available concerning methods for evaluating the 
human health risks associated with the con-
sumption of pollutant-bearing fish or wildlife; 
and
543 
(B) publish the risks of such consumption 
patterns. 
(d) MAPPING AND SCREENING TOOL.—The Adminis-
trator shall continue to make available to the public an 
environmental justice mapping and screening tool (such 
as EJScreen or an equivalent tool) that includes, at a min-
imum, the following features: 
(1) Nationally consistent data. 
(2) Environmental data. 
(3) Demographic data, including data relating 
to race, ethnicity, and income. 
(4) Capacity to produce maps and reports by 
geographical area. 
(5) Data on national parks and other federally 
protected natural, historic, and cultural sites. 
(e) JUDICIAL REVIEW AND RIGHTS OF ACTION.— 
Any person may commence a civil action— 
(1) to seek relief from, or to compel, an agency 
action under this section (including regulations pro-
mulgated pursuant to this section); or 
(2) otherwise to ensure compliance with this 
section (including regulations promulgated pursuant 
to this section). 
(f) INFORMATION SHARING.—In carrying out this 
section, each Federal agency, to the maximum extent
544 
practicable and permitted by applicable law, shall share 
information and eliminate unnecessary duplication of ef-
forts through the use of existing data systems and cooper-
ative agreements among Federal agencies and with State, 
local, and Tribal Governments. 
(g) CLIMATE AND ECONOMIC JUSTICE SCREENING 
TOOL.—The Chair of the Council on Environmental Qual-
ity shall— 
(1) maintain a geospatial Climate and Eco-
nomic Justice Screening Tool; and 
(2) annually publish interactive maps high-
lighting disadvantaged communities. 
SEC. 105. TRAINING OF EMPLOYEES OF FEDERAL AGEN-
CIES. 
(a) INITIAL TRAINING.—Not later than 1 year after 
the date of enactment of this Act, each employee of the 
Department of Energy, the Environmental Protection 
Agency, the Department of the Interior, and the National 
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration shall complete 
an environmental justice training program to ensure that 
each such employee— 
(1) has received training in environmental jus-
tice; and 
(2) is capable of—
545 
(A) appropriately incorporating environ-
mental justice concepts into the daily activities 
of the employee; and 
(B) increasing the meaningful participation 
of individuals from environmental justice com-
munities in the activities of the applicable agen-
cy. 
(b) MANDATORY PARTICIPATION.—Effective on the 
date that is 1 year after the date of enactment of this 
Act, each individual hired by the Department of Energy, 
the Environmental Protection Agency, the Department of 
the Interior, and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
Administration after that date shall be required to partici-
pate in environmental justice training. 
(c) REQUIREMENT RELATING TO CERTAIN EMPLOY-
EES.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—With respect to each Fed-
eral agency that participates in the White House 
Interagency Council, not later than 30 days after 
the date on which an individual is appointed to the 
position of environmental justice coordinator, or any 
other position the responsibility of which involves the 
conduct of environmental justice activities, the indi-
vidual shall be required to possess documentation of
546 
the completion by the individual of environmental 
justice training. 
(2) EVALUATION.—Not later than 3 years after 
the date of enactment of this Act, the Inspector 
General of each Federal agency that participates in 
the White House Interagency Council shall evaluate 
the training programs of such Federal agency to de-
termine if such Federal agency has improved the 
rate of training of the employees of such Federal 
agency to ensure that each employee has received 
environmental justice training. 
SEC. 106. ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE BASIC TRAINING PRO-
GRAM. 
(a) ESTABLISHMENT.—The Administrator shall es-
tablish a basic training program, in coordination and con-
sultation with nongovernmental environmental justice or-
ganizations, to increase the capacity of residents of envi-
ronmental justice communities to identify and address dis-
proportionately adverse human health or environmental ef-
fects by providing culturally and linguistically appro-
priate— 
(1) training and education relating to— 
(A) basic and advanced techniques for the 
detection, assessment, and evaluation of the ef-
547 
fects of hazardous substances, wildfire, and 
drought on human health; 
(B) methods to assess the risks to human 
health presented by hazardous substances, wild-
fire, and drought; 
(C) methods and technologies to detect 
hazardous substances in the environment; 
(D) basic biological, chemical, and physical 
methods to reduce the quantity and toxicity of 
hazardous substances and to reduce the fre-
quency and extent of wildfires and drought; 
(E) the rights and safeguards currently af-
forded to individuals through policies and laws 
intended to help environmental justice commu-
nities address disparate impacts and discrimi-
nation, including— 
(i) laws adopted to protect human 
health and the environment; and 
(ii) section 602 of the Civil Rights Act 
of (42 U.S.C. 2000d-1); 
(F) 
public 
engagement 
opportunities 
through the policies and laws described in sub-
paragraph (E); 
(G) materials available on the Clearing-
house described in this division;
548 
(H) methods to expand access to parks 
and other natural and recreational amenities; 
and 
(I) finding and applying for Federal grants 
related to environmental justice; and 
(2) short courses and continuation education 
programs for residents of communities who are lo-
cated in close proximity to hazardous substances or 
in locations at risk of wildfires or drought to pro-
vide, as applicable— 
(A) education relating to— 
(i) the proper manner to handle haz-
ardous substances; 
(ii) the management of facilities at 
which hazardous substances are located 
(including facility compliance protocols); 
(iii) the evaluation of the hazards that 
facilities described in clause (ii) pose to 
human health; and 
(iv) preventing, mitigating, and man-
aging wildfires and drought and the haz-
ards that wildfires and drought pose to 
human health; and 
(B) training on environmental and occupa-
tional health and safety with respect to the pub-
549 
lic health and engineering aspects of hazardous 
waste control. 
(b) GRANT PROGRAM.— 
(1) ESTABLISHMENT.—In carrying out the 
basic training program established under subsection 
(a), the Administrator may provide grants to, or 
enter into any contract or cooperative agreement 
with, an eligible entity to carry out any training or 
educational activity described in subsection (a). 
(2) ELIGIBLE ENTITY.—To be eligible to receive 
assistance under paragraph (1), an eligible entity 
shall be an accredited institution of education in 
partnership with— 
(A) a community-based organization that 
carries out activities relating to environmental 
justice; 
(B) a generator of hazardous waste; 
(C) any individual who is involved in the 
detection, assessment, evaluation, or treatment 
of hazardous waste; 
(D) any owner or operator of a facility at 
which hazardous substances are located; or 
(E) any State government, Tribal Govern-
ment, or local government. 
(c) PLAN.—
550 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 2 years after 
the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator, 
in consultation with the Director, shall develop and 
publish in the Federal Register a plan to carry out 
the basic training program established under sub-
section (a). 
(2) CONTENTS.—The plan described in para-
graph (1) shall contain— 
(A) a list that describes the relative pri-
ority of each activity described in subsection 
(a); and 
(B) a description of research and training 
relevant to environmental justice issues of com-
munities adversely affected by pollution. 
(3) COORDINATION
WITH
FEDERAL
AGEN-
CIES.—The Administrator shall, to the maximum ex-
tent practicable, take appropriate steps to coordinate 
the activities of the basic training program described 
in the plan with the activities of other Federal agen-
cies to avoid any duplication of effort. 
(d) REPORT.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 2 years after 
the date of enactment of this Act, and every 2 years 
thereafter, the Administrator shall submit to the 
Committees on Energy and Commerce and Natural
551 
Resources of the House of Representative and the 
Committees on Environment and Public Works and 
Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate a re-
port describing— 
(A) the implementation of the basic train-
ing program established under subsection (a); 
and 
(B) the impact of the basic training pro-
gram on improving training opportunities for 
residents of environmental justice communities. 
(2) PUBLIC AVAILABILITY.—The Administrator 
shall make the report required under paragraph (1) 
available to the public (including by posting a copy 
of the report on the website of the Environmental 
Protection Agency). 
(e) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—There is 
authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section 
$10,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2023 through 2027. 
SEC. 107. ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE CLEARINGHOUSE. 
(a) ESTABLISHMENT.—Not later than 1 year after 
the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall 
establish a public internet-based clearinghouse, to be 
known as the Environmental Justice Clearinghouse.
552 
(b) CONTENTS.—The Clearinghouse shall be com-
posed of culturally and linguistically appropriate materials 
related to environmental justice, including— 
(1) information describing the activities con-
ducted by the Environmental Protection Agency to 
address issues relating to environmental justice; 
(2) copies of training materials provided by the 
Administrator to help individuals and employees un-
derstand and carry out environmental justice activi-
ties; 
(3) links to web pages that describe environ-
mental justice activities of other Federal agencies; 
(4) a directory of individuals who possess tech-
nical expertise in issues relating to environmental 
justice; 
(5) a directory of nonprofit and community- 
based organizations, including grassroots organiza-
tions led by people of color, that address issues re-
lating to environmental justice at the local, State, 
and Federal levels (with particular emphasis given to 
nonprofit and community-based organizations that 
possess the capability to provide advice or technical 
assistance to environmental justice communities); 
and
553 
(6) any other appropriate information as deter-
mined by the Administrator, including information 
on any resources available to help address the dis-
proportionate burden of adverse human health or en-
vironmental effects on environmental justice commu-
nities. 
(c) CONSULTATION.—In developing the Clearing-
house, the Administrator shall consult with individuals 
representing academic and community-based organiza-
tions who have expertise in issues relating to environ-
mental justice. 
(d) ANNUAL REVIEW.—The Advisory Council shall— 
(1) conduct a review of the Clearinghouse on an 
annual basis; and 
(2) recommend to the Administrator any up-
dates for the Clearinghouse that the Advisory Coun-
cil determines to be necessary for the effective oper-
ation of the Clearinghouse. 
SEC. 108. PUBLIC MEETINGS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 2 years after the 
date of enactment of this Act, and biennially thereafter, 
the Administrator shall hold public meetings on environ-
mental justice issues in each region of the Environmental 
Protection Agency to gather public input with respect to 
the implementation and updating of environmental justice
554 
strategies and efforts of the Environmental Protection 
Agency. 
(b) OUTREACH TO ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE COM-
MUNITIES.—The Administrator, in advance of the meet-
ings described in subsection (a), shall to the extent prac-
ticable hold multiple meetings in environmental justice 
communities in each region to provide meaningful commu-
nity involvement opportunities. 
(c) NOTICE.—Notice for the meetings described in 
subsections (a) and (b) shall be provided— 
(1) to applicable representative entities or orga-
nizations present in the environmental justice com-
munity, including— 
(A) local religious organizations; 
(B) civic associations and organizations; 
(C) business associations of people of color; 
(D) environmental and environmental jus-
tice organizations; 
(E) homeowners, tenants, and neighbor-
hood watch groups; 
(F) local and Tribal Governments; 
(G) rural cooperatives; 
(H) business and trade organizations; 
(I) community and social service organiza-
tions;
555 
(J) universities, colleges, and vocational 
schools; 
(K) labor organizations; 
(L) civil rights organizations; 
(M) senior citizens’ groups; and 
(N) public health agencies and clinics; 
(2) through communication methods that are 
accessible in the applicable environmental justice 
community, which may include electronic media, 
newspapers, radio, and other media particularly tar-
geted at communities of color, low-income commu-
nities, and Tribal and Indigenous communities; and 
(3) at least 30 days before any such meeting. 
(d) COMMUNICATION
METHODS
AND
REQUIRE-
MENTS.—The Administrator shall— 
(1) provide translations of any documents made 
available to the public pursuant to this section in 
any language spoken by more than 5 percent of the 
population residing within the applicable environ-
mental justice community, and make available trans-
lation services for meetings upon request; and 
(2) not require members of the public to 
produce a form of identification or register their 
names, provide other information, complete a ques-
tionnaire, or otherwise fulfill any condition precedent
556 
to attending a meeting, but if an attendance list, 
register, questionnaire, or other similar document is 
utilized during meetings, it shall state clearly that 
the signing, registering, or completion of the docu-
ment is voluntary. 
(e) REQUIRED ATTENDANCE OF CERTAIN EMPLOY-
EES.—In holding a public meeting under subsection (a), 
the Administrator shall ensure that at least 1 employee 
of the Environmental Protection Agency at the level of As-
sistant Administrator is present at the meeting to serve 
as a representative of the Environmental Protection Agen-
cy. 
SEC. 109. NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE ADVISORY 
COUNCIL. 
(a) ESTABLISHMENT.—The President shall establish 
an advisory council, to be known as the National Environ-
mental Justice Advisory Council. 
(b) MEMBERSHIP.—The Advisory Council shall be 
composed of 26 members who have knowledge of, or expe-
rience relating to, the effect of environmental conditions 
on communities of color, low-income communities, and 
Tribal and Indigenous communities, including— 
(1) representatives of— 
(A) community-based organizations that 
carry out initiatives relating to environmental
557 
justice, including grassroots organizations led 
by people of color; 
(B) State governments, Tribal Govern-
ments, and local governments; 
(C) Indian Tribes and other Indigenous 
groups; 
(D) nongovernmental and environmental 
organizations; and 
(E) private sector organizations (including 
representatives of industries and businesses); 
and 
(2) experts in the field of— 
(A) socioeconomic analysis; 
(B) health and environmental effects; 
(C) exposure evaluation; 
(D) environmental law and civil rights law; 
or 
(E) environmental health science research. 
(c) SUBCOMMITTEES; WORKGROUPS.— 
(1) ESTABLISHMENT.—The Advisory Council 
may establish any subcommittee or workgroup to as-
sist the Advisory Council in carrying out any duty 
of the Advisory Council described in subsection (d). 
(2) REPORT.—Upon the request of the Advisory 
Council, each subcommittee or workgroup estab-
558 
lished by the Advisory Council under paragraph (1) 
shall submit to the Advisory Council a report that 
contains— 
(A) a description of each recommendation 
of the subcommittee or workgroup; and 
(B) any advice requested by the Advisory 
Council with respect to any duty of the Advi-
sory Council. 
(d) DUTIES.—The Advisory Council shall provide 
independent advice and recommendations to the Environ-
mental Protection Agency with respect to issues relating 
to environmental justice, including advice— 
(1) to help develop, facilitate, and conduct re-
views of the direction, criteria, scope, and adequacy 
of the scientific research and demonstration projects 
of the Environmental Protection Agency relating to 
environmental justice; 
(2) to improve participation, cooperation, and 
communication with respect to such issues— 
(A) within the Environmental Protection 
Agency; 
(B) between, and among, the Environ-
mental Protection Agency and Federal agencies, 
State and local governments, Indian Tribes, en-
560 
tection Agency (including recommendations to 
conduct analyses that support and strengthen 
environmental justice programs in administra-
tive and scientific areas); 
(D) the administration of grant programs 
relating to environmental justice assistance; and 
(E) education, training, and other outreach 
activities conducted by the Environmental Pro-
tection Agency relating to environmental jus-
tice. 
(e) DESIGNATED FEDERAL OFFICER.—The Director 
of the Office of Environmental Justice of the Environ-
mental Protection Agency is designated as the Federal of-
ficer required under section 10(e) of the Federal Advisory 
Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App.) for the Advisory Council. 
(f) MEETINGS.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—The Advisory Council shall 
meet not less frequently than 3 times each calendar 
year. 
(2) OPEN TO PUBLIC.—Each meeting of the 
Advisory Council shall be held open to the public. 
(3) DUTIES OF DESIGNATED FEDERAL OFFI-
CER.—The designated Federal officer described in 
subsection (e) (or a designee) shall—
561 
(A) be present at each meeting of the Ad-
visory Council; 
(B) ensure that each meeting is conducted 
in accordance with an agenda approved in ad-
vance by the designated Federal officer; 
(C) provide an opportunity for interested 
persons— 
(i) to file comments before or after 
each meeting of the Advisory Council; or 
(ii) to make statements at such a 
meeting, to the extent that time permits; 
(D) ensure that a representative of the 
Working Group and a high-level representative 
from each regional office of the Environmental 
Protection Agency are invited to, and encour-
aged to attend, each meeting of the Advisory 
Council; and 
(E) provide technical assistance to States 
seeking to establish State-level environmental 
justice advisory councils or implement other en-
vironmental justice policies or programs. 
(g) RESPONSES FROM ADMINISTRATOR.— 
(1) PUBLIC COMMENT INQUIRIES.—The Admin-
istrator shall provide a written response to each in-
quiry submitted to the Administrator by a member
562 
of the public before or after each meeting of the Ad-
visory Council by not later than 120 days after the 
date of submission. 
(2) RECOMMENDATIONS FROM ADVISORY COUN-
CIL.—The Administrator shall provide a written re-
sponse to each recommendation submitted to the Ad-
ministrator by the Advisory Council by not later 
than 120 days after the date of submission. 
(h) TRAVEL EXPENSES.—A member of the Advisory 
Council may be allowed travel expenses, including per 
diem in lieu of subsistence, at such rate as the Adminis-
trator determines to be appropriate while away from the 
home or regular place of business of the member in the 
performance of the duties of the Advisory Council. 
(i) DURATION.—The Advisory Council shall remain 
in existence unless otherwise provided by law. 
SEC. 110. ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE GRANT PROGRAMS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Administrator shall continue 
to carry out the Environmental Justice Small Grants Pro-
gram and the Environmental Justice Collaborative Prob-
lem-Solving Cooperative Agreement Program, as those 
programs are in existence on the date of enactment of this 
Act. 
(b) CARE GRANTS.—The Administrator shall con-
tinue to carry out the Community Action for a Renewed
563 
Environment grant programs I and II, as in existence on 
January 1, 2012. 
(c) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—There is 
authorized to be appropriated to carry out the programs 
described in subsections (a) and (b) $50,000,000 for each 
of fiscal years 2023 through 2032. 
SEC. 111. ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE COMMUNITY SOLID 
WASTE DISPOSAL TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE 
GRANTS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Administrator may award 
grants to eligible entities to enable such entities to partici-
pate in decisions impacting the health and safety of their 
communities relating to the permitting or permit renewal 
of a solid waste disposal facility or hazardous waste facil-
ity. 
(b) TIMING.— 
(1) GUIDANCE.—Not later than 12 months 
after the date of enactment of this section, the Ad-
ministrator shall publish guidance describing the 
process for eligible entities to apply for a grant 
under this section, including the required content 
and form of applications, the manner in which appli-
cations must be submitted, and any applicable dead-
lines.
564 
(2) FIRST GRANT.—Not later than 180 days 
after the issuance of guidance under paragraph (1), 
the Administrator shall award the first grant under 
this section. 
(c) ELIGIBLE ENTITY.—To be eligible for a grant 
under this section, an applicant shall be a group of individ-
uals who reside in a community that— 
(1) is a population of color, a community of 
color, a Tribal and Indigenous community, or a low- 
income community; and 
(2) is in close proximity to a facility described 
in subsection (a) for which a decision relating to a 
permit or permit renewal for such facility is re-
quired. 
(d) USE OF FUNDS.—An eligible entity receiving a 
grant under this section shall use the grant to participate 
in decisions impacting the health and safety of the commu-
nity involved that are related to the permitting or permit 
renewal of a solid waste disposal facility or hazardous 
waste facility, including— 
(1) interpreting information with regard to— 
(A) cumulative impacts studies; 
(B) health impacts studies; 
(C) relevant agency decisions; and
565 
(D) operation and maintenance of nec-
essary monitors; and 
(2) performing environmental monitoring. 
(e) LIMITATIONS ON AMOUNT; RENEWAL.— 
(1) AMOUNT.— 
(A) IN GENERAL.—The amount of a grant 
under this section (excluding any renewals of 
the grant) may not exceed $50,000 for any 
grant recipient. 
(B) EXCEPTION.—The Administrator may 
waive the limitation in subparagraph (A) with 
respect to an applicant in any case where the 
Administrator determines that such waiver is 
necessary for the community involved to obtain 
the necessary technical assistance. 
(2) RENEWAL.—Grants may be renewed for 
each step in the process for the permitting or permit 
renewal of a solid waste disposal facility or haz-
ardous waste facility. 
SEC. 112. ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE COMMUNITY, STATE, 
AND TRIBAL GRANT PROGRAMS. 
(a) ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE COMMUNITY GRANT 
PROGRAM.— 
(1) ESTABLISHMENT.—The Administrator shall 
establish a program under which the Administrator