Environmental Justice Act of 2017

Bill: 115-hr-4114
Sponsor: Rep. Ruiz, Raul [D-CA-36]
Introduced: 2017-10-24 in the House
Policy area: Environmental Protection
Subjects: Advisory bodies
Air quality
Civil actions and liability
Climate change and greenhouse gases
Disaster relief and insurance
Due process and equal protection
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
Environmental assessment, monitoring, research
Environmental health
Environmental regulatory procedures
Executive Office of the President
Executive agency funding and structure
Food supply, safety, and labeling
Government information and archives
Indian lands and resources rights
Infrastructure development
Land use and conservation
Licensing and registrations
Medical research
Mining
Minority health
Performance measurement
Poverty and welfare assistance
Public participation and lobbying
Racial and ethnic relations
Research administration and funding
Soil pollution
Solid waste and recycling
Water quality

Summary:
action_date: 2017-10-24
text: 

Environmental Justice Act of 2017

 
This bill requires agencies to address the disproportionate impact of environmental and human health hazards on communities of color, indigenous communities, and low-income communities resulting from agencies' programs and policies.
 
This bill provides statutory authority for: 
 
 
the interagency Federal Working Group on Environmental Justice,
 
certain environmental justice requirements established under Executive Order 12898, 
 
a guidance titled &quot;Environmental Justice Guidance Under the National Environmental Policy Act,&quot; 
 
a guidance titled &quot;EPA Policy on Consultation and Coordination with Indian Tribes: Guidance for Discussing Tribal Treaty Rights,&quot;
 
the National Environmental Justice Advisory Council, 
 
the Environmental Justice Small Grants Program, 
 
the Environmental Justice Collaborative Problem-Solving Cooperative Agreement Program, and
 
the Community Action for a Renewed Environment grant programs. 
 
 
The bill amends the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (commonly known as the Clean Water Act) to require the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to address potential cumulative impacts of pollutant discharges when issuing or renewing permits under the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permit program. The bill amends the Clean Air Act to require the EPA to address potential cumulative impacts of a major stationary source of air pollutants when issuing or renewing permits for those sources.
 
The bill states that the authorization to bring citizen suits under certain environmental laws does not preclude the right of an individual to bring a civil action for deprivation of implied rights under those laws or common law. The bill amends the Civil Rights Act of 1964 to allow a person aggrieved by the failure of a covered entity to comply with the Act to bring an action against the entity in a federal or state court for discriminatory practices.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-10-27
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Environment.
action_date: 2017-10-25
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment.
action_date: 2017-10-25
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials.
action_date: 2017-10-25
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Highways and Transit.
action_date: 2017-10-25
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings and Emergency Management.
action_date: 2017-10-25
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation.
action_date: 2017-10-25
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Aviation.
action_date: 2017-10-24
text: Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committees on Natural Resources, Transportation and Infrastructure, and the Judiciary, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
action_date: 2017-10-24
text: Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committees on Natural Resources, Transportation and Infrastructure, and the Judiciary, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
action_date: 2017-10-24
text: Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committees on Natural Resources, Transportation and Infrastructure, and the Judiciary, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
action_date: 2017-10-24
text: Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committees on Natural Resources, Transportation and Infrastructure, and the Judiciary, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
action_date: 2017-10-24
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2017-10-24
text: Introduced in House