NEPA Legal Reform Act

Bill: 117-s-716
Sponsor: full_name: Sen. Lee, Mike [R-UT]
Introduced: 2021-03-11
Policy area: Environmental Protection
Subjects: Environmental assessment, monitoring, research

Environmental regulatory procedures

Evidence and witnesses

Judicial procedure and administration

Judicial review and appeals

Legal fees and court costs
Latest action: action_date: 2021-03-11
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.

Summaries:
action_date: 2021-03-11
action_desc: Introduced in Senate
text: <p><b>NEPA Legal Reform Act</b></p> <p>This bill establishes requirements concerning the judicial review of cases about the environmental review process required under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA).</p> <p>Specifically, the bill establishes standing requirements for NEPA claims, including a requirement that a plaintiff must personally suffer, or will likely personally suffer, a direct, tangible harm. </p> <p>In addition, the bill sets a statute of limitations for all claims related to NEPA.</p> <p>The bill also provides statutory authority for certain evidentiary standards concerning motions for temporary restraining orders, preliminary injunctions, and permanent injunctions.</p> <p>In addition, the bill limits fees that may be awarded to environmental attorneys.</p>

tv_txt: II 117th CONGRESS 1st Session S. 716 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES March 11, 2021 Mr. Lee introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works A BILL To amend the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 to provide for legal reform, and for other purposes.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the NEPA Legal Reform Act . 2. Legal reforms under NEPA (a) In general Title I of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 is amended— (1) by redesignating section 105 ( 42 U.S.C. 4335 ) as section 106; and (2) by inserting after section 104 ( 42 U.S.C. 4334 ) the following: 105. Legal reform (a) Definitions In this section: (1) Federal agency The term Federal agency includes a State that has assumed responsibility under section 327 of title 23, United States Code. (2) Head of a Federal agency The term head of a Federal agency includes the governor or head of an applicable State agency of a State that has assumed responsibility under section 327 of title 23, United States Code. (3) NEPA process (A) In general The term NEPA process means the entirety of every process, analysis, or other measure, including an environmental impact statement, required to be carried out by a Federal agency under this title before the agency undertakes a proposed action. (B) Period For purposes of subparagraph (A), the NEPA process— (i) begins on the date on which the head of a Federal agency receives an application for a proposed action from a project sponsor; and (ii) ends on the date on which the Federal agency issues, with respect to the proposed action— (I) a record of decision, including, if necessary, a revised record of decision; (II) a finding of no significant impact; or (III) a categorical exclusion under this title. (4) Project sponsor The term project sponsor means a Federal agency or other entity, including a private or public-private entity, that seeks approval of a proposed action. (b) Judicial review (1) Standing Notwithstanding any other provision of law, a plaintiff may only bring a claim arising under Federal law seeking judicial review of a portion of the NEPA process if the plaintiff pleads facts that allege that the plaintiff has personally suffered, or will likely personally suffer, a direct, tangible harm as a result of the portion of the NEPA process for which the plaintiff is seeking review. (2) Statute of limitations (A) In general Notwithstanding any other provision of law and except as provided in subparagraph (B)(ii), a claim arising under Federal law seeking judicial review of any portion of the NEPA process shall be barred unless it is filed not later than the earlier of— (i) 150 days after the final agency action under the NEPA process has been taken; and (ii) if applicable, an earlier date after which judicial review is barred that is specified in the Federal law pursuant to which the judicial review is allowed. (B) New information (i) Consideration A Federal agency shall consider for the purpose of a supplemental environmental impact statement new information received after the close of a comment period if the information satisfies the requirements for a supplemental environmental impact statement under the regulations of the Federal agency. (ii) Statute of limitations based on new information If a supplemental environmental impact statement is required under the regulations of a Federal agency, a claim for judicial review of the supplemental environmental impact statement shall be barred unless it is filed not later than the earlier of— (I) 150 days after the publication of a notice in the Federal Register that the supplemental environmental impact statement is final; and (II) if applicable, an earlier date after which judicial review is barred that is specified in the Federal law pursuant to which the judicial review is allowed. (C) Savings clause Nothing in this paragraph creates a right to judicial review. (3) Remedies (A) Preliminary injunctions and temporary restraining orders (i) In general Subject to clause (ii), in a motion for a temporary restraining order or preliminary injunction against a Federal agency or project sponsor in a claim arising under Federal law seeking judicial review of any portion of the NEPA process, the plaintiff shall establish by clear and convincing evidence that— (I) the plaintiff is likely to succeed on the merits; (II) the plaintiff is likely to suffer irreparable harm in the absence of the temporary restraining order or preliminary injunction, as applicable; (III) the balance of equities is tipped in the favor of the plaintiff; and (IV) the temporary restraining order or preliminary injunction is in the public interest. (ii) Additional requirements A court may not grant a motion described in clause (i) unless the court— (I) makes a finding of extraordinary circumstances that warrant the granting of the motion; (II) considers the potential effects on public health, safety, and the environment, and the potential for significant negative effects on jobs resulting from granting the motion; and (III) notwithstanding any other provision of law, applies the requirements of Rule 65(c) of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure. (B) Permanent injunctions (i) In general Subject to clause (ii), in a motion for a permanent injunction against a Federal agency or project sponsor a claim arising under Federal law seeking judicial review of any portion of the NEPA process, the plaintiff shall establish by clear and convincing evidence that— (I) the plaintiff has suffered an irreparable injury; (II) remedies available at law, including monetary damages, are inadequate to compensate for the injury; (III) considering the balance of hardship between the plaintiff and defendant, a remedy in equity is warranted; (IV) the public interest is not disserved by a permanent injunction; and (V) if the error or omission of a Federal agency in a statement required under this title is the grounds for which the plaintiff is seeking judicial review, the error or omission is likely to result in specific, irreparable damage to the environment. (ii) Additional showing A court may not grant a motion described in clause (i) unless— (I) the court makes a finding that extraordinary circumstances exist that warrant the granting of the motion; and (II) the permanent injunction is— (aa) as narrowly tailored as possible to correct the injury; and (bb) the least intrusive means necessary to correct the injury. . (b) Attorney fees in environmental litigation (1) Administrative procedure Section 504(b)(1) of title 5, United States Code, is amended— (A) in subparagraph (E), by striking and at the end; (B) in subparagraph (F), by striking the period at the end and inserting ; and ; and (C) by adding at the end the following: (G) special factor does not include knowledge, expertise, or skill in environmental litigation. . (2) United States as party Section 2412(d)(2) of title 28, United States Code, is amended— (A) in subparagraph (H), by striking and at the end; (B) in subparagraph (I), by striking the period at the end and inserting ; and ; and (C) by adding at the end the following: (J) special factor does not include knowledge, expertise, or skill in environmental litigation. .