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H.R. 8019 116th Congress House

Climate Equity Act of 2020

Official title: To ensure climate and environmental justice accountability, and for other purposes.

Introduced: August 11, 2020 Introduced by: Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez Democratic · New York See on congress.gov
Environmental Protection Administrative law and regulatory proceduresAdvisory bodiesAir qualityBudget process
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Climate change and greenhouse gasesCongressional Budget Office (CBO)Congressional agenciesCongressional officers and employeesCongressional-executive branch relationsDue process and equal protectionEconomic performance and conditionsEnvironmental assessment, monitoring, researchEnvironmental healthEnvironmental regulatory proceduresExecutive Office of the PresidentExecutive agency funding and structureGovernment employee pay, benefits, personnel managementGovernment information and archivesJudicial review and appealsLegislative rules and procedureOffice of Management and Budget (OMB)Public participation and lobbyingRacial and ethnic relationsResearch administration and funding
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This bill died when the 116th Congress ended
It never became law before the 116th Congress (2019–2020) adjourned, and bills don't carry over to the next Congress. It would have to be reintroduced. You can still save it for reference, but it won't receive updates.
 Everywhere this bill has been 2 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Aug 11, 2020
Introduced in House
Aug 11, 2020
Referred to the Committee on Oversight and Reform, and in addition to the Committees on the Budget, Rules, the Judiciary, Energy and Commerce, Science, Space, and Technology, and Natural Resources, 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.
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 Latest action August 11, 2020

Referred to the Committee on Oversight and Reform, and in addition to the Committees on the Budget, Rules, the Judiciary, Energy and Commerce, Science, Space, and Technology, and Natural Resources, 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.

 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Climate Equity Act of 2020

This bill requires the review and analysis of new legislation, regulation, or federal investments that are related to environmental or climate change issues and sets forth related requirements. The analysis must determine the impacts of such legislation, regulation, or investments on frontline communities (e.g., communities that have experienced environmental injustice or are vulnerable to climate injustice).

Specifically, the bill establishes a Climate and Environmental Equity Office within the Congressional Budget Office. The former must prepare an analysis for each bill or resolution with an environmental or climate change nexus that is reported by any congressional committee. The analysis must include the bill's impacts on frontline communities.

The bill also establishes an Office of Climate and Environmental Justice Accountability within the Office of Management and Budget. Among other things, the former must (1) measure the costs of environmental and climate regulations on frontline communities, (2) review agencies' investments to determine if they have an environmental or climate change nexus and ensure that frontline communities benefit from such investments, and (3) represent the views of frontline communities in the rulemaking process.

Each agency must biannually publish a climate and environmental justice accountability agenda. An agency must prepare and publish a climate and environmental justice analysis for a proposed or final rule that may have a significant impact on a substantial number of residents within frontline communities. Further, each agency must ensure that frontline communities have been given an opportunity to participate in the rulemaking process.

 Related & companion bills 1
  • S 4513 Identical bill Climate Equity Act of 2020
 Bill text 1 version

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 7
Cite this page click to expand
APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). H.R. 8019: Climate Equity Act of 2020. 116th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/116-HR-8019/
MLA
"H.R. 8019: Climate Equity Act of 2020." 116th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/116-HR-8019/.
Bluebook (legal)
H.R. 8019, 116th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/116-HR-8019/.
Markdown link
[H.R. 8019: Climate Equity Act of 2020](https://openamerica.io/bill/116-HR-8019/)
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