Environmental Justice For All Act

8/22/2023, 2:30 PM

Environmental Justice For All Act

This bill establishes several environmental justice requirements, advisory bodies, and programs and modifies the scope of environmental review under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969.

The bill sets forth provisions to address the disproportionate adverse human health or environmental effects of federal laws or programs on communities of color, low-income communities, or tribal and indigenous communities. It also prohibits disparate impacts on the basis of race, color, or national origin as discrimination. Aggrieved persons may seek legal remedy when faced with such discrimination.

In addition, the bill directs agencies to follow certain requirements concerning environmental justice. For example, agencies must prepare community impact reports that assess the potential impacts of their actions on environmental justice communities under certain circumstances.

It also raises coal, oil, and gas royalty rates to create a funding source to support fossil fuel-dependent communities and displaced workers as they transition away from fossil fuel industries.

Additionally, the bill creates a variety of advisory bodies and positions, such as the White House Environmental Justice Interagency Council. Among other things, the council must issue an environmental justice strategy.

It also establishes requirements and programs concerning chemicals or toxic ingredients in certain products. For example, the bill (1) requires certain products (e.g., cosmetics) to include a list of ingredients or warnings; and (2) provides grants for research on designing safer alternatives to chemicals in certain consumer, cleaning, toy, or baby products that have an inherent toxicity or that are associated with chronic adverse health effects.

Finally, it creates a variety of funding programs, such as a grant program to enhance access to park and recreational opportunities in urban areas.

The Environmental Justice For All Act, also known as Bill 117 hr 2021, is a piece of legislation currently being considered by the US Congress. The main goal of this bill is to address environmental injustices that disproportionately impact marginalized communities, including low-income communities and communities of color.

The bill aims to achieve environmental justice by requiring federal agencies to consider the environmental and health impacts on these communities when making decisions about environmental policies and regulations. It also seeks to increase public participation in the decision-making process by providing resources and support for community engagement.

Additionally, the Environmental Justice For All Act includes provisions to improve data collection and analysis related to environmental justice issues, as well as measures to increase transparency and accountability in environmental decision-making processes. Overall, this bill is designed to ensure that all communities have equal access to clean air, water, and a healthy environment, regardless of their socioeconomic status or race. It represents an important step towards addressing environmental injustices and promoting environmental equity in the United States.
Congress
117

Number
HR - 2021

Introduced on
2021-03-18

# Amendments
0

Sponsors
+5

Cosponsors
+5

Variations and Revisions

3/18/2021

Status of Legislation

Bill Introduced
Introduced to House
House to Vote
Introduced to Senate
Senate to Vote

Purpose and Summary

Environmental Justice For All Act

This bill establishes several environmental justice requirements, advisory bodies, and programs and modifies the scope of environmental review under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969.

The bill sets forth provisions to address the disproportionate adverse human health or environmental effects of federal laws or programs on communities of color, low-income communities, or tribal and indigenous communities. It also prohibits disparate impacts on the basis of race, color, or national origin as discrimination. Aggrieved persons may seek legal remedy when faced with such discrimination.

In addition, the bill directs agencies to follow certain requirements concerning environmental justice. For example, agencies must prepare community impact reports that assess the potential impacts of their actions on environmental justice communities under certain circumstances.

It also raises coal, oil, and gas royalty rates to create a funding source to support fossil fuel-dependent communities and displaced workers as they transition away from fossil fuel industries.

Additionally, the bill creates a variety of advisory bodies and positions, such as the White House Environmental Justice Interagency Council. Among other things, the council must issue an environmental justice strategy.

It also establishes requirements and programs concerning chemicals or toxic ingredients in certain products. For example, the bill (1) requires certain products (e.g., cosmetics) to include a list of ingredients or warnings; and (2) provides grants for research on designing safer alternatives to chemicals in certain consumer, cleaning, toy, or baby products that have an inherent toxicity or that are associated with chronic adverse health effects.

Finally, it creates a variety of funding programs, such as a grant program to enhance access to park and recreational opportunities in urban areas.

The Environmental Justice For All Act, also known as Bill 117 hr 2021, is a piece of legislation currently being considered by the US Congress. The main goal of this bill is to address environmental injustices that disproportionately impact marginalized communities, including low-income communities and communities of color.

The bill aims to achieve environmental justice by requiring federal agencies to consider the environmental and health impacts on these communities when making decisions about environmental policies and regulations. It also seeks to increase public participation in the decision-making process by providing resources and support for community engagement.

Additionally, the Environmental Justice For All Act includes provisions to improve data collection and analysis related to environmental justice issues, as well as measures to increase transparency and accountability in environmental decision-making processes. Overall, this bill is designed to ensure that all communities have equal access to clean air, water, and a healthy environment, regardless of their socioeconomic status or race. It represents an important step towards addressing environmental injustices and promoting environmental equity in the United States.
Alternative Names
Official Title as IntroducedTo restore, reaffirm, and reconcile environmental justice and civil rights, and for other purposes.

Policy Areas
Environmental Protection

Potential Impact
Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Administrative remedies
Advisory bodies
Air quality
American Samoa
Buy American requirements
Caribbean area
Child health
Civil actions and liability
Climate change and greenhouse gases
Coal
Community life and organization
Congressional oversight
Cosmetics and personal care
Department of Transportation
Drug safety, medical device, and laboratory regulation
Due process and equal protection
Ecology
Economic development
Electric power generation and transmission
Employee benefits and pensions
Employment and training programs
Energy revenues and royalties
Energy storage, supplies, demand
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
Environmental assessment, monitoring, research
Environmental education
Environmental health
Environmental regulatory procedures
Evidence and witnesses
Executive Office of the President
Executive agency funding and structure
Federal officials
Federal-Indian relations
Food supply, safety, and labeling
Foreign language and bilingual programs
Geography and mapping
Government employee pay, benefits, personnel management
Government information and archives
Government studies and investigations
Government trust funds
Guam
Gulf of Mexico
Hazardous wastes and toxic substances
Health programs administration and funding
Health promotion and preventive care
Health technology, devices, supplies
Higher education
Historical and cultural resources
Housing and community development funding
Indian lands and resources rights
Indian social and development programs
Infrastructure development
Intergovernmental relations
Internet and video services
Internet, web applications, social media
Land transfers
Land use and conservation
Legal fees and court costs
Licensing and registrations
Marine and coastal resources, fisheries
Marketing and advertising
Medical research
Mining
Minority health
Monuments and memorials
Northern Mariana Islands
Oil and gas
Outdoor recreation
Parks, recreation areas, trails
Performance measurement
Pest management
Poverty and welfare assistance
Product safety and quality
Public participation and lobbying
Public transit
Public-private cooperation
Puerto Rico
Racial and ethnic relations
Regional and metropolitan planning
Research administration and funding
Rural conditions and development
Sex and reproductive health
Soil pollution
Solid waste and recycling
State and local government operations
Transportation programs funding
U.S. territories and protectorates
Urban and suburban affairs and development
User charges and fees
Virgin Islands
Water quality
Water use and supply
Women's health
Youth employment and child labor

Comments

Recent Activity

Latest Summary8/21/2023

Environmental Justice For All Act

This bill establishes several environmental justice requirements, advisory bodies, and programs and modifies the scope of environmental review under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969.


Latest Action12/30/2022
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Natural Resources. H. Rept. 117-687, Part I.