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Environmental Justice Act of 2017

Introduced: October 24, 2017 Introduced by: Ruiz, Raul Democratic · California See on congress.gov
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 Everywhere this bill has been 9 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Oct 27, 2017
Referred to the Subcommittee on Environment.
Oct 25, 2017
Referred to the Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment.
Oct 25, 2017
Referred to the Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials.
Oct 25, 2017
Referred to the Subcommittee on Highways and Transit.
Oct 25, 2017
Referred to the Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings and Emergency Management.
Oct 25, 2017
Referred to the Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation.
Oct 25, 2017
Referred to the Subcommittee on Aviation.
Oct 24, 2017
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.
Oct 24, 2017
Introduced in House
 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

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 "Environmental Justice Guidance Under the National Environmental Policy Act,"
  • a guidance titled "EPA Policy on Consultation and Coordination with Indian Tribes: Guidance for Discussing Tribal Treaty Rights,"
  • the National Environmental Justice Advisory Council,
  • the Environmental Justice Small Grants Program,
  • 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.

What's happening now October 27, 2017

Referred to the Subcommittee on Environment.

 Committees of jurisdiction 11
 Cosponsors 18
All 18 Democratic 18