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Environmental Justice for All Act

Discussion Draft

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

A BILL

To restore, reaffirm, and reconcile environmental justice and civil rights, provide for the establishment of the Interagency Working Group on Environmental Justice Compliance and Enforcement, and for other purposes.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. Short title; table of contents; findings.

(a) Short title.—This Act may be cited as the “Environmental Justice for All Act”.

(b) Table of contents.—The table of contents for this Act is as follows: 
 Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents; findings.


Sec. 2. Statement of policy.


Sec. 3. Definitions.


Sec. 4. Prohibited discrimination.


Sec. 5. Right of action.


Sec. 6. Rights of recovery.


Sec. 7. Consideration of cumulative impacts and persistent violations in certain permitting decisions.


Sec. 8. Interagency Working Group on Environmental Justice Compliance and Enforcement.


Sec. 9. Federal agency actions and responsibilities.


Sec. 10. Ombudsmen.


Sec. 11. Access to parks, outdoor spaces, and public recreation opportunities.


Sec. 12. Protections for environmental justice communities against harmful Federal actions.


Sec. 13. Training of employees of Federal agencies.


Sec. 14. Environmental justice grant programs.


Sec. 15. Environmental justice basic training program.


Sec. 16. National Environmental Justice Advisory Council.


Sec. 17. Environmental Justice Clearinghouse.


Sec. 18. Public meetings.


Sec. 19. Supplemental environmental projects for environmental justice communities.


Sec. 20. Grants to further achievement of Tribal coastal zone objectives.


Sec. 21. Safer cosmetic alternatives for disproportionately impacted communities.


Sec. 22. Support by National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences for research on health disparities impacting communities of color.


Sec. 23. Revenues for just transition assistance.


Sec. 24. Economic revitalization for fossil fuel dependent communities.


Sec. 25. Evaluation by Comptroller General of the United States.

(c) Findings.—Congress finds the following:

(1) Communities of color, low-income communities, Tribal and indigenous communities, rural communities, and other underserved populations are disproportionately burdened by environmental hazards including exposure to polluted air, waterways, and landscapes.

(2) Environmental justice disparities are also exhibited through a lack of equitable access to green spaces, public recreation opportunities, and information and data on potential exposure to environmental hazards.

(3) Environmental justice communities that have historically been subject to systemic racial, social, and economic injustices—including communities of color, low-income communities, Tribal and indigenous communities, rural communities, and other underserved populations – face a higher risk of intentional, unconscious, and structural discrimination in exposure to environmental hazards.

(4) Environmental justice communities are more vulnerable to the effects of climate change and often have the least resources to respond, thus they should be meaningfully engaged in government decision-making as our nation builds its climate resilience.

(5) Potential environmental threats to underserved communities merit a higher level of engagement, review, and consent to ensure that communities are not forced to bear disproportionate environmental and health impacts.

(6) The burden of proof that a proposed action will not harm communities, including through cumulative exposure effects, should fall on polluting industries and on the Federal Government in its regulatory role, not the communities themselves.

(7) Executive Order 12898 (59 Fed. Reg. 32, relating to Federal Actions to Address Environmental Justice in Minority Populations and Low-Income Populations) directs Federal agencies to address disproportionately high and adverse human health or environmental effects of its programs, but Federal agencies have been inconsistent in updating their strategic plans for environmental justice and reporting on their progress in enacting these plans.

(8) Government action to correct environmental injustices is a moral imperative. Federal policy can and should improve public health and improve the overall well-being of all communities.

(9) All people have the right to breathe clean air, drink clean water, live free of dangerous levels of toxic pollution, and share the benefits of a prosperous and vibrant clean energy economy.

(10) A fair and just transition to a clean energy economy is necessary to ensure that workers in deindustrialized communities have access to the resources and benefits of a sustainable future.

(11) Environmental justice is climate justice, and it is the responsibility of the Federal Government to seek to achieve environmental justice, health equity, and climate justice for all underserved communities.

SEC. 2. Statement of policy.

It is the policy of Congress that each Federal agency should—

(1) seek to achieve environmental justice as part of its mission by identifying and addressing, as appropriate, disproportionately adverse human health or environmental effects of its programs, policies, practices, and activities on communities of color, low-income communities, rural communities, and Tribal and indigenous communities in each State of the United States;

(2) promote meaningful involvement and due process in the development, implementation, and enforcement of environmental laws;

(3) provide direct guidance and technical assistance to environmental justice communities focused on increasing community understanding of the science, regulations, and policy related to Federal agency action on environmental justice issues;

(4) cooperate with State governments, Tribal Governments, and local governments to address pollution and public health burdens in environmental justice communities, and build healthy, sustainable, and resilient communities; and

(5) recognize the right of all people to clean air, safe and affordable drinking water, and to the sustainable preservation of the ecological integrity and aesthetic, scientific, and historical values of the natural environment.

SEC. 3. Definitions.

In this Act:

(1) ADMINISTRATOR.—The term “Administrator” means the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency.

(2) ADVISORY COUNCIL.—The term “Advisory Council” means the National Environmental Justice Advisory Council established by the President under section 16.

(3) AGGRIEVED PERSON.—The term “aggrieved person” means a person aggrieved by discrimination on the basis of race, color, or national origin.

(4) CLEARINGHOUSE.—The term “Clearinghouse” means the Environmental Justice Clearinghouse established by the Administrator under section 17.

(5) COMMUNITY OF COLOR.—The term “community of color” means a population of individuals who are members of one or more of the following population groups:

(A) American Indian or Alaskan Native. (B) Asian or Pacific Islander. (C) Black, not of Hispanic origin. (D) Hispanic.

(6) COVERED AGENCY.—The term “covered agency” means an agency described in section 8(c).

(7) DEMONSTRATES.—The term “demonstrates” means meets the burdens of going forward with the evidence and of persuasion.

(8) DIRECTOR.—The term “Director” means the Director of the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences.

(9) DISPARATE IMPACT.—The term “disparate impact” means an action or practice that, though appearing neutral, actually has the effect of subjecting persons to discrimination because of their race, color, or national origin.

(10) DISPROPORTIONATE BURDEN OF ADVERSE HUMAN HEALTH OR ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS.—The term “disproportionate burden of adverse human health or environmental effects” means situations where there exists higher and more adverse human health or environmental effects on communities of color, low-income communities, rural communities, and Tribal and indigenous communities.

(11) ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE.—The term “environmental justice” means the fair treatment and meaningful involvement of all people regardless of race, color, culture, national origin, or income, with respect to the development, implementation, and enforcement of environmental laws, regulations, and policies to ensure that each person enjoys—

(A) the same degree of protection from environmental and health hazards; and (B) equal access to any Federal agency action on environmental justice issues in order to have a healthy environment in which to live, learn, and work.

(12) ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE COMMUNITY.—The term “environmental justice community” means a geographically distinct community with significant representation of communities of color, low-income communities, rural communities, and Tribal and indigenous communities, that experiences, or is at risk of experiencing, more adverse human health or environmental effects.

(13) ENVIRONMENTAL LAW.—The term “environmental law” includes the Clean Air Act (42 U.S.C. 7401 et seq.), the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (33 U.S.C. 1251 et seq.), the Energy Policy Act of 2005, the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.), the Pollution Prevention Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 13101 et seq.), the Safe Drinking Water Act (42 U.S.C. 300f et seq.), the Solid Waste Disposal Act (42 U.S.C. 6901 et seq.), the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (7 U.S.C. 136 et seq.), and the Toxic Substances Control Act (15 U.S.C. 2601 et. seq).

(14) FAIR TREATMENT.—The term “fair treatment” means the conduct of a program, policy, practice, or activity by a Federal agency in a manner that ensures that no group of individuals (including racial, ethnic, or socioeconomic groups) experience a disproportionate burden of adverse human health or environmental effects resulting from such program, policy, practice, or activity, as determined through consultation with, and with the meaningful participation of, individuals from the communities affected by a program, policy, practice, or activity of a Federal agency.

(15) INDIAN TRIBE.—The term “Indian Tribe” has the meaning given the term “Indian tribe” in section 4 of the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 5304).

(16) LOCAL GOVERNMENT.—The term “local government” means—

(A) a county, municipality, city, town, township, local public authority, school district, special district, intrastate district, council of governments (regardless of whether the council of governments is incorporated as a nonprofit corporation under State law), regional or interstate governmental entity, or agency or instrumentality of a local government; (B) an Indian Tribe or authorized Tribal organization, or Alaska Native village or organization, that is not a Tribal Government; or (C) a rural community.

(17) LOW-INCOME COMMUNITY.—The term “low-income community” means a population of individuals whose family’s taxable income for the preceding year did not exceed 200 percent of the poverty level amount or 80 percent of the area median income.

(18) RURAL COMMUNITY.—The term “rural community” means a population of individuals not included within an urban area (as defined by the Census Bureau).

(19) STATE.—The term “State” means any State of the United States, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.

(20) TRIBAL AND INDIGENOUS COMMUNITY.—The term “Tribal and indigenous community” refers to a population of people who are members of a federally recognized Indian Tribe, including those living on a different reservation or living outside Indian country, State-recognized Indian Tribes, Alaska Natives, Native Hawaiians, Native Pacific Islanders, and Native Americans.

(21) TRIBAL GOVERNMENT.—The term “Tribal Government” means the governing body of any Indian Tribe, Alaska Native Tribe, band, nation, pueblo, village, or community that the Secretary of the Interior acknowledges to exist as an Indian Tribe under the Federally Recognized Indian Tribe List Act of 1994.

(22) WORKING GROUP.—The term “Working Group” means the Interagency Working Group on Environmental Justice Compliance and Enforcement established by the President under section 8.

SEC. 4. Prohibited discrimination.

Section 601 of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (42 U.S.C. 2000d) is amended—

(1) by striking “No” and inserting “(a) No”; and

(2) by adding at the end the following:

“(b)(1)(A) Discrimination (including exclusion from participation and denial of benefits) based on disparate impact is established under this title if—

“(i) a covered agency has a program, policy, practice, or activity that causes a disparate impact on the basis of race, color, or national origin and the covered agency fails to demonstrate that the challenged program, policy, practice, or activity is related to and necessary to achieve the nondiscriminatory goal of the program, policy, practice, or activity alleged to have been operated in a discriminatory manner; or

“(ii) a less discriminatory alternative program, policy, practice, or activity exists, and the covered agency refuses to adopt such alternative program, policy, practice, or activity.

“(B) With respect to demonstrating that a particular program, policy, practice, or activity does not cause a disparate impact, the covered agency shall demonstrate that each particular challenged program, policy, practice, or activity does not cause a disparate impact, except that if the covered agency demonstrates to the courts that the elements of the covered agency’s decision-making process are not capable of separation for analysis, the decision-making process may be analyzed as 1 program, policy, practice, or activity.

“(2) A demonstration that a program, policy, practice, or activity is necessary to achieve the goals of a program, policy, practice, or activity may not be used as a defense against a claim of intentional discrimination under this title.

“(c) No person in the United States shall be subjected to discrimination, including retaliation or intimidation, because such person opposed any program, policy, practice, or activity prohibited by this title, or because such person made a charge, testified, assisted, or participated in any manner in an investigation, proceeding, or hearing under this title.”.

SEC. 5. Right of action.

(a) In general.—Section 602 of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (42 U.S.C. 2000d–1) is amended—

(1) by inserting “(a)” before “Each Federal department and agency which is empowered”; and

(2) by adding at the end the following:

“(b) Any person aggrieved by the failure to comply with this title, including any regulation promulgated pursuant to this title, may file suit in any district court of the United States having jurisdiction of the parties, without respect to the amount in controversy and without regard to the citizenship of the parties.”.

(b) Effective date.—

(1) IN GENERAL.—This section, including the amendments made by this section, takes effect on the date of enactment of this Act.

(2) APPLICATION.—This section, including the amendments made by this section, applies to all actions or proceedings pending on or after the date of enactment of this Act.

SEC. 6. Rights of recovery.

Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (42 U.S.C. 2000d et seq.) is amended by inserting after section 602 the following:

“SEC. 602A. Actions brought by aggrieved persons.

“(a) Claims based on proof of intentional discrimination.—In an action brought by an aggrieved person under this title against a covered agency who has engaged in unlawful intentional discrimination (not a practice that is unlawful because of its disparate impact) prohibited under this title (including its implementing regulations), the aggrieved person may recover equitable and legal relief (including compensatory and punitive damages), attorney’s fees (including expert fees), and costs of the action, except that punitive damages are not available against a government, government agency, or political subdivision.

“(b) Claims based on the disparate impact standard of proof.—In an action brought by an aggrieved person under this title against a covered agency who has engaged in unlawful discrimination based on disparate impact prohibited under this title (including implementing regulations), the aggrieved person may recover attorney’s fees (including expert fees) and costs of the action.”.

SEC. 7. Consideration of cumulative impacts and persistent violations in certain permitting decisions.

(a) Federal Water Pollution Control Act.—Section 402 of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (33 U.S.C. 1342) is amended—

(1) by striking the section designation and heading and all that follows through “Except as” in subsection (a)(1) and inserting the following:

“SEC. 402. National pollutant discharge elimination system.

“(a) Permits issued by administrator.—

“(1) IN GENERAL.—Except as”;

(2) in subsection (a)—

(A) in paragraph (1)—

(i) by striking “upon condition that such discharge will meet either (A) all” and inserting the following: “subject to the conditions that—

“(A) the discharge will achieve compliance with, as applicable—

“(i) all”;

(ii) by striking “403 of this Act, or (B) prior” and inserting the following: “403; or

“(ii) prior”; and

(iii) by striking “this Act.” and inserting the following: “this Act; and

“(B) with respect to the issuance or renewal of the permit—

“(i) based on an analysis by the Administrator of existing water quality and the potential cumulative impacts (as defined in section 501 of the Clean Air Act (42 U.S.C. 7661)) of the discharge, considered in conjunction with the designated and actual uses of the impacted navigable water, there exists a reasonable certainty of no harm to the health of the general population, or to any potentially exposed or susceptible subpopulation; or

“(ii) if the Administrator determines that, due to those potential cumulative impacts, there does not exist a reasonable certainty of no harm to the health of the general population, or to any potentially exposed or susceptible subpopulation, the permit or renewal includes such terms and conditions as the Administrator determines to be necessary to ensure a reasonable certainty of no harm.”; and

(B) in paragraph (2), by striking “assure compliance with the requirements of paragraph (1) of this subsection, including conditions on data and information collection, reporting, and such other requirements as he deems appropriate.” and inserting the following: “ensure compliance with the requirements of paragraph (1), including—

“(A) conditions relating to—

“(i) data and information collection;

“(ii) reporting; and

“(iii) such other requirements as the Administrator determines to be appropriate; and

“(B) additional controls or pollution prevention requirements.”; and

(3) in subsection (b)—

(A) in each of paragraphs (1)(D), (2)(B), and (3) through (7), by striking the semicolon at the end and inserting a period;

(B) in paragraph (8), by striking “; and” at the end and inserting a period; and

(C) by adding at the end the following:

“(10) To ensure that no permit will be issued or renewed if, with respect to an application for the permit, the State determines, based on an analysis by the State of existing water quality and the potential cumulative impacts (as defined in section 501 of the Clean Air Act (42 U.S.C. 7661)) of the discharge, considered in conjunction with the designated and actual uses of the impacted navigable water, that the terms and conditions of the permit or renewal would not be sufficient to ensure a reasonable certainty of no harm to the health of the general population, or to any potentially exposed or susceptible subpopulation.”.

(b) Clean air act.—

(1) DEFINITIONS.—Section 501 of the Clean Air Act (42 U.S.C. 7661) is amended—

(A) in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by striking “As used in this title—” and inserting “In this title:”;

(B) by redesignating paragraphs (2), (3), and (4) as paragraphs (3), (5), and (4), respectively, and moving the paragraphs so as to appear in numerical order; and

(C) by inserting after paragraph (1) the following:

“(2) CUMULATIVE IMPACTS.—The term ‘cumulative impacts’ means any exposure, public health or environmental risk, or other effect occurring in a specific geographical area, including from an emission or release—

“(A) including—

“(i) environmental pollution released—

“(I)(aa) routinely;

“(bb) accidentally; or

“(cc) otherwise; and

“(II) from any source, whether single or multiple; and

“(ii) as assessed based on the combined past, present, and reasonably foreseeable emissions and discharges affecting the geographical area; and

“(B) evaluated taking into account sensitive populations and socioeconomic factors, where applicable.”.

(2) PERMIT PROGRAMS.—Section 502(b) of the Clean Air Act (42 U.S.C. 7661a(b)) is amended—

(A) in paragraph (5)—

(i) in subparagraphs (A) and (C), by striking “assure” each place it appears and inserting “ensure”; and

(ii) by striking subparagraph (F) and inserting the following:

“(F) ensure that no permit will be issued or renewed, as applicable, if—

“(i) with respect to an application for a permit or renewal of a permit for a major source, the permitting authority determines under paragraph (9)(A)(i)(II)(bb) that the terms and conditions of the permit or renewal would not be sufficient to ensure a reasonable certainty of no harm to the health of the general population, or to any potentially exposed or susceptible subpopulation, of the applicable census tracts or Tribal census tracts (as those terms are defined by the Director of the Bureau of the Census); or

“(ii) the Administrator objects to the issuance of the permit in a timely manner under this title.”; and (B) in paragraph (9)—

(i) in the fourth sentence, by striking “Such permit revision” and inserting the following:

“(iii) TREATMENT AS RENEWAL.—A permit revision under this paragraph”;

(ii) in the third sentence, by striking “No such revision shall” and inserting the following:

“(ii) EXCEPTION.—A revision under this paragraph shall not”;

(iii) in the second sentence, by striking “Such revisions” and inserting the following:

“(B) REVISION REQUIREMENTS.—

“(i) DEADLINE.—A revision described in subparagraph (A)(ii)”; and

(iv) by striking the paragraph designation and all that follows through “shall require” in the first sentence and inserting the following:

“(9) MAJOR SOURCES.—

“(A) IN GENERAL.—With respect to any permit or renewal of a permit, as applicable, for a major source, a requirement that the permitting authority shall—

“(i) in determining whether to issue or renew the permit—

“(I) evaluate the potential cumulative impacts of the proposed major source, as described in the applicable cumulative impacts analysis submitted under section 503(b)(3);

“(II) if, due to those potential cumulative impacts, the permitting authority cannot determine that there exists a reasonable certainty of no harm to the health of the general population, or to any potentially exposed or susceptible subpopulation, of any census tracts or Tribal census tracts (as those terms are defined by the Director of the Bureau of the Census) located in, or immediately adjacent to, the area in which the major source is, or is proposed to be, located—

“(aa) include in the permit or renewal such terms and conditions (including additional controls or pollution prevention requirements) as the permitting authority determines to be necessary to ensure a reasonable certainty of no harm; or

“(bb) if the permitting authority determines that terms and conditions described in item (aa) would not be sufficient to ensure a reasonable certainty of no harm, deny the issuance or renewal of the permit;

“(III) determine whether the applicant is a persistent violator, based on such criteria relating to the history of compliance by an applicant with this Act as the Administrator shall establish by not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of the Environmental Justice for All Act;

“(IV) if the permitting authority determines under subclause (III) that the applicant is a persistent violator and the permitting authority does not deny the issuance or renewal of the permit pursuant to subclause (V)(bb)—

“(aa) require the applicant to submit a redemption plan that describes—

“(AA) if the applicant is not in compliance with this Act, measures the applicant will carry out to achieve that compliance, together with an approximate deadline for that achievement;

“(BB) measures the applicant will carry out, or has carried out to ensure the applicant will remain in compliance with this Act, and to mitigate the environmental and health effects of noncompliance; and

“(CC) the measures the applicant has carried out in preparing the redemption plan to consult or negotiate with the communities affected by each persistent violation addressed in the plan; and

“(bb) once such a redemption plan is submitted, determine whether the plan is adequate to ensuring that the applicant—

“(AA) will achieve compliance with this Act expeditiously;

“(BB) will remain in compliance with this Act;

“(CC) will mitigate the environmental and health effects of noncompliance; and

“(DD) has solicited and responded to community input regarding the redemption plan; and

“(V) deny the issuance or renewal of the permit if the permitting authority determines that—

“(aa) the redemption plan submitted under subclause (IV)(aa) is inadequate; or

“(bb)(AA) the applicant has submitted a redemption plan on a prior occasion, but continues to be a persistent violator; and

“(BB) no indication exists of extremely exigent circumstances excusing the persistent violations; and

“(ii) in the case of such a permit with a term of 3 years or longer, require in accordance with subparagraph (B).”.

(3) PERMIT APPLICATIONS.—Section 503(b) of the Clean Air Act (42 U.S.C. 7661b(b)) is amended by adding at the end the following:

“(3) Major source analyses.—The regulations required by section 502(b) shall include a requirement that an applicant for a permit or renewal of a permit for a major source shall submit, together with the compliance plan required under this subsection, a cumulative impacts analysis for each census tract or Tribal census tract (as those terms are defined by the Director of the Bureau of the Census) located in, or immediately adjacent to, the area in which the major source is, or is proposed to be, located that analyzes—

“(A) community demographics and locations of community exposure points, such as schools, day care centers, nursing homes, hospitals, health clinics, places of religious worship, parks, playgrounds, and community centers;

“(B) air quality and the potential effect on that air quality of emissions of air pollutants (including pollutants listed under section 108 or 112) from the proposed major source, including in combination with existing sources of pollutants;

“(C) the potential effects on soil quality and water quality of emissions of lead and other air pollutants that could contaminate soil or water from the proposed major source, including in combination with existing sources of pollutants; and

“(D) public health and any potential effects on public health of the proposed major source.”.

SEC. 8. Interagency Working Group on Environmental Justice Compliance and Enforcement.

(a) Establishment.—Not later than 30 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the President shall establish a working group to be known as the Interagency Working Group on Environmental Justice Compliance and Enforcement.

(b) Purposes.—The purposes of the Working Group are—

(1) to advise and assist Federal agencies in identifying and addressing, as appropriate, the disproportionate human health and environmental effects of Federal programs, policies, practices, and activities on communities of color, low-income communities, rural communities, and Tribal and indigenous communities;

(2) to promote meaningful involvement and due process in the development, implementation, and enforcement of environmental laws;

(3) to provide direct guidance and technical assistance to environmental justice communities focused on increasing community understanding of the science, regulations, and policy related to Federal agency actions on environmental justice issues; and

(4) to cooperate with State governments, Tribal Governments, and local governments to address pollution and public health burdens in environmental justice communities, and build healthy, sustainable, and resilient communities.

(c) Composition.—The Working Group shall be composed of a representative from each of the following:

(1) The Department of Agriculture.

(2) The Department of Commerce.

(3) The Department of Defense.

(4) The Department of Energy.

(5) The Department of Health and Human Services.

(6) The Department of Housing and Urban Development.

(7) The Department of the Interior.

(8) The Department of Justice.

(9) The Department of Labor.

(10) The Department of Transportation.

(11) The Environmental Protection Agency.

(12) The Office of Management and Budget.

(13) The Office of Science and Technology Policy.

(14) The Office of the Deputy Assistant to the President for Environmental Policy.

(15) The Office of the Assistant to the President for Domestic Policy.

(16) The National Economic Council.

(17) The Council on Environmental Quality.

(18) The Council of Economic Advisers.

(19) Any other agency that the President may designate.

(d) Governance.—The President, or designee, shall serve as Chairperson of the Working Group.

(e) Report to president.—The Working Group shall report to the President through—

(1) the Council on Environmental Quality;

(2) the Deputy Assistant to the President for Environmental Policy; or

(3) the Assistant to the President for Domestic Policy.

(f) Uniform consideration guidance.—

(1) IN GENERAL.—To ensure that there is a common level of understanding of terminology used in dealing with environmental justice issues, not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Working Group shall develop and publish in the Federal Register a guidance document that outlines the ways in which the following considerations will be taken into account in defining communities as environmental justice communities:

(A) Health disparities.

(B) Environmental exposure disparities.

(C) Demographic characteristics, including age, sex, and race or ethnicity.

(D) Social stressors, including poverty, housing quality, access to health care, education, and lack of community resources.

(E) Cumulative impacts or risks.

(F) Additional elements in the community that indicate vulnerability or susceptibility to adverse human health and environmental effects (including climate change).

(G) Capacity of communities to address environmental concerns.

(2) PUBLIC COMMENT.—For a period of not less than 30 days, the Working Group shall seek public comment on the guidance document developed under paragraph (1).

(3) DOCUMENTATION.—Not later than 90 days after the date of publication of the guidance document under paragraph (1), the head of each Federal agency participating in the Working Group shall document the ways in which the Federal agency will incorporate guidance from the document into the environmental justice strategy of the Federal agency.

(g) Development of interagency Federal environmental justice strategy.—

(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 3 years after the date of enactment of this Act, after notice and opportunity for public comment, the Working Group shall develop and promulgate a coordinated interagency Federal environmental justice strategy.

(2) CONSIDERATION.—In carrying out paragraph (1), the Working Group shall consider each environmental justice strategy developed and finalized by each Federal agency that participates in the Working Group under section 9(b).

(h) Report to president.—

(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 180 days after the date described in subsection (g)(1), the Working Group shall, through the Chairperson of the Council on Environmental Quality, the Deputy Assistant to the President for Environmental Policy, or the Assistant to the President for Domestic Policy, submit to the President a report that contains—

(A) a description of the implementation of the interagency Federal environmental justice strategy; and

(B) a copy of the finalized environmental justice strategy of each Federal agency that participates in the Working Group.

(2) PUBLIC AVAILABILITY.—The head of each Federal agency that participates in the Working Group shall make the report described in paragraph (1) available to the public (including by posting a copy of the report on the website of each Federal agency).

SEC. 9. Federal agency actions and responsibilities.

(a) Conduct of programs.—Each Federal agency that participates in the Working Group shall conduct each program, policy, practice, and activity of the Federal agency that adversely affects, or has the potential to adversely affect, human health or the environment in a manner that ensures that each such program, policy, practice, or activity does not have an effect of excluding any individual from participating in, denying any individual the benefits of, or subjecting any individual to discrimination or disparate impact under, such program, policy, practice, or activity of the Federal agency because of the race, color, national origin, or income level of the individual.

(b) Federal agency environmental justice strategies.—

(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of this Act, and after notice and opportunity for public comment, each Federal agency that participates in the Working Group shall develop and finalize an agencywide environmental justice strategy that—

(A) identifies and addresses any disproportionately high or adverse human health or environmental effects of its programs, policies, practices, and activities on—

(i) communities of color;

(ii) low-income communities;

(iii) rural communities; and

(iv) Tribal and indigenous communities; and

(B) complies with each requirement described in paragraph (2).

(2) CONTENTS.—Each environmental justice strategy developed by a Federal agency under paragraph (1) shall contain—

(A) an assessment that identifies each program, policy, practice, activity (including any public participation process) of the Federal agency, relating to human health or the environment that the Federal agency determines should be revised—

(i) to ensure that all persons have the same degree of protection from environmental and health hazards;

(ii) to ensure meaningful involvement and due process in the development, implementation, and enforcement of all health, environmental, and civil rights laws and regulations;

(iii) to improve direct guidance and technical assistance to environmental justice communities with respect to the understanding of the science, regulations, and policy related to Federal agency action on environmental justice issues;

(iv) to improve cooperation with State governments, Tribal Governments, and local governments to address pollution and public health burdens in environmental justice communities, and build healthy, sustainable, and resilient communities;

(v) to improve Federal research and data collection efforts related to—

(I) the health and environment of communities of color, low-income communities, rural communities, and Tribal and indigenous communities;

(II) climate change; and

(III) the inequitable distribution of burdens and benefits of the management and use of natural resources, including water, minerals, or land; and

(vi) to reduce or eliminate disproportionately adverse human health or environmental effects on communities of color, low income communities, rural communities, and Tribal and indigenous communities; and

(B) a timetable for the completion of—

(i) each revision identified under subparagraph (A); and

(ii) an assessment of the economic and social implications of each revision identified under subparagraph (A).

(3) REPORTS.—

(A) ANNUAL REPORTS.—Not later than 2 years after the finalization of an environmental justice strategy under this subsection, and annually thereafter, a Federal agency that participates in the Working Group shall submit to the Working Group a report describing the progress of the Federal agency in implementing the environmental justice strategy of the Federal agency.

(B) PERIODIC REPORTS.—In addition to the annual reports described in subparagraph (A), upon receipt of a request from the Working Group, a Federal agency shall submit to the Working Group a report that contains such information as the Working Group may require.

(4) REVISION OF AGENCYWIDE ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE STRATEGY.—Not later than 5 years after the date of enactment of this Act, each Federal agency that participates in the Working Group shall—

(A) evaluate and revise the environmental justice strategy of the Federal agency; and

(B) submit to the Working Group a copy of the revised version of the environmental justice strategy of the Federal agency.

(5) PETITION.—

(A) IN GENERAL.—The head of a Federal agency may submit to the President a petition for an exemption of any requirement described in this section with respect to any program or activity of the Federal agency.

(B) AVAILABILITY TO PUBLIC.—Each petition submitted by a Federal agency to the President under subparagraph (A) shall be made available to the public (including through a description of the petition on the website of the Federal agency).

(C) CONSIDERATION.—In determining whether to grant a petition for an exemption submitted by a Federal agency to the President under subparagraph (A), the President shall consider whether the granting of the petition would likely—

(i) result in disproportionately adverse human health or environmental effects on communities of color, low-income communities, rural communities, and Tribal and indigenous communities; and

(ii) exacerbate any disproportionately adverse human health or environmental effect on any community of color, low-income community, rural community, or Tribal and indigenous community.

(D) APPEAL.—

(i) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 90 days after the date on which the President approves a petition under this paragraph, an individual may appeal the decision of the President to approve the petition.

(ii) WRITTEN APPEAL.—

(I) IN GENERAL.—To appeal a decision of the President under subparagraph (A), an individual shall submit a written appeal to—

(aa) the Council on Environmental Quality;

(bb) the Deputy Assistant to the President for Environmental Policy; or

(cc) the Assistant to the President for Domestic Policy.

(II) CONTENTS.—A written appeal shall contain a description of each reason why the exemption that is the subject of the petition is unnecessary.

(iii) REQUIREMENT OF PRESIDENT.—Not later than 90 days after the date on which an official described in clause (ii)(I) receives a written appeal submitted by an individual under that clause, the President shall provide to the individual a written notification describing the decision of the President with respect to the appeal.

(c) Human health and environmental research, data collection, and analysis.—

(1) RESEARCH.—Each Federal agency, to the maximum extent practicable and permitted by applicable law, shall—

(A) in conducting environmental or human health research, include diverse segments of the population in epidemiological and clinical studies, including segments at high risk from environmental hazards such as communities of color, low-income communities, rural communities, and Tribal and indigenous communities;

(B) in conducting environmental or human health analyses, identify multiple and cumulative exposures; and

(C) actively encourage and solicit community-based science, and provide to communities of color, low-income communities, rural communities, and Tribal and indigenous communities the opportunity to comment regarding the development and design of research strategies carried out pursuant to this Act.

(2) DISPROPORTIONATE IMPACT.—To the maximum extent practicable and permitted by applicable law (including section 552a of title 5, United States Code (commonly known as the “Privacy Act”)), each Federal agency shall—

(A) collect, maintain, and analyze information assessing and comparing environmental and human health risks borne by populations identified by race, national origin, or income; and

(B) use that information to determine whether the programs, policies, and activities of the Federal agency have disproportionally adverse human health or environmental effects on communities of color, low-income communities, rural communities, and Tribal and indigenous communities.

(3) INFORMATION RELATING TO NON-FEDERAL FACILITIES.—In connection with the implementation of Federal agency environmental justice strategies under subsection (b), each Federal agency, to the maximum extent practicable and permitted by applicable law, shall collect, maintain, and analyze information relating to the race, national origin, and income level, and other readily accessible and appropriate information, for communities of color, low-income communities, rural communities, and Tribal and indigenous communities in proximity to any facility or site expected to have a substantial environmental, human health, or economic effect on the surrounding populations, if the facility or site becomes the subject of a substantial Federal environmental administrative or judicial action.

(4) IMPACT FROM FEDERAL FACILITIES.—Each Federal agency, to the maximum extent practicable and permitted by applicable law, shall collect, maintain, and analyze information relating to the race, national origin, and income level, and other readily accessible and appropriate information, for communities of color, low-income communities, rural communities, and Tribal and indigenous communities in proximity to any facility of the Federal agency that is—

(A) subject to the reporting requirements under the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act of 1986 (42 U.S.C. 11001 et seq.), as required by Executive Order 12898 (42 U.S.C. 4321 note); and

(B) expected to have a substantial environmental, human health, or economic effect on surrounding populations.

(d) Consumption of fish and wildlife.—

(1) IN GENERAL.—Each Federal agency shall develop, publish (unless prohibited by law), and revise, as practicable and appropriate, guidance on actions of the Federal agency that will impact fish and wildlife consumed by populations that principally rely on fish or wildlife for subsistence.

(2) REQUIREMENT.—The guidance described in paragraph (1) shall—

(A) reflect the latest scientific information available concerning methods for evaluating the human health risks associated with the consumption of pollutant-bearing fish or wildlife; and

(B) publish the risks of such consumption patterns.

(e) Mapping and screening tool.—The Administrator shall continue to make available to the public an environmental justice mapping and screening tool (such as EJScreen or an equivalent tool) that includes, at a minimum, the following features:

(1) Nationally consistent data.

(2) Environmental data.

(3) Demographic data, including data relating to race, ethnicity, and income.

(4) Capacity to produce maps and reports by geographical area.

(f) Judicial review and rights of action.—Any person may commence a civil action—

(1) to seek relief from, or to compel, an agency action under this section (including regulations promulgated pursuant to this section); or

(2) otherwise to ensure compliance with this section (including regulations promulgated pursuant to this section).

(g) Information sharing.—In carrying out this section, each Federal agency, to the maximum extent practicable and permitted by applicable law, shall share information and eliminate unnecessary duplication of efforts through the use of existing data systems and cooperative agreements among Federal agencies and with State, local, and Tribal governments.

(h) Codification of guidance.—

(1) COUNCIL ON ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY.—Sections II and III of the guidance issued by the Council on Environmental Quality entitled “Environmental Justice Guidance Under the National Environmental Policy Act” and dated December 10, 1997, are enacted into law.

(2) ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY.—The guidance issued by the Environmental Protection Agency entitled “EPA Policy on Consultation and Coordination with Indian Tribes: Guidance for Discussing Tribal Treaty Rights” and dated February 2016 is enacted into law.

SEC. 10. Ombudsmen.

(a) Establishment.—The Administrator shall establish within the Environmental Protection Agency a position of Environmental Justice Ombudsman to receive, review, and process complaints and allegations with respect to environmental justice programs and activities of the Environmental Protection Agency.

(b) Reporting.—The Environmental Justice Ombudsman shall—

(1) report directly to the Administrator; and

(2) not be required to report to the Office of Environmental Justice.

(c) Regional staff.—

(1) AUTHORITY OF ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE OMBUDSMAN.—The Administrator shall allow the Environmental Justice Ombudsman to hire such staff as the Environmental Justice Ombudsman determines to be necessary to carry out at each regional office of the Environmental Protection Agency the responsibilities of the Environmental Justice Ombudsman described in subsection (a).

(2) FULL-TIME POSITION.—Each individual hired by the Environmental Justice Ombudsman under paragraph (1) shall be hired as a full-time employee of the Environmental Protection Agency.

SEC. 11. Access to parks, outdoor spaces, and public recreation opportunities.

(a) Definitions.—In this section:

(1) ELIGIBLE ENTITY.—

(A) IN GENERAL.—The term “eligible entity” means—

(i) a State;

(ii) a political subdivision of a State, including—

(I) a city; and

(II) a county;

(iii) a special purpose district, including park districts; and

(iv) an Indian Tribe.

(B) POLITICAL SUBDIVISIONS AND INDIAN TRIBES.—A political subdivision of a State or an Indian Tribe shall be considered an eligible entity only if the political subdivision or Indian Tribe represents or otherwise serves a qualifying urban area.

(2) OUTDOOR RECREATION LEGACY PARTNERSHIP GRANT PROGRAM.—The term “Outdoor Recreation Legacy Partnership Grant Program” means the program established under subsection (b).

(3) QUALIFYING URBAN AREA.—The term “qualifying urban area” means an area identified by the Census Bureau as an “urban area” in the most recent census.

(4) SECRETARY.—The term “Secretary” means the Secretary of the Interior.

(b) Establishment.—The Secretary shall establish an outdoor recreation legacy partnership grant program under which the Secretary may award grants to eligible entities for projects—

(1) to acquire land and water for parks and other outdoor recreation purposes; and

(2) to develop new or renovate existing outdoor recreation facilities.

(c) Matching requirement.—

(1) IN GENERAL.—As a condition of receiving a grant under subsection (b), an eligible entity shall provide matching funds in the form of cash or an in-kind contribution in an amount equal to not less than 100 percent of the amounts made available under the grant.

(2) SOURCES.—The matching amounts referred to in paragraph (1) may include amounts made available from State, local, nongovernmental, or private sources.

(d) Eligible uses.—

(1) IN GENERAL.—A grant recipient may use a grant awarded under this section—

(A) to acquire land or water that provides outdoor recreation opportunities to the public; and

(B) to develop or renovate outdoor recreational facilities that provide outdoor recreation opportunities to the public, with priority given to projects that—

(i) create or significantly enhance access to park and recreational opportunities in an urban neighborhood or community;

(ii) engage and empower underserved communities and youth;

(iii) provide opportunities for youth employment or job training;

(iv) establish or expand public-private partnerships, with a focus on leveraging resources; and

(v) take advantage of coordination among various levels of government.

(2) LIMITATIONS ON USE.—A grant recipient may not use grant funds for—

(A) grant administration costs;

(B) incidental costs related to land acquisition, including appraisal and titling;

(C) operation and maintenance activities;

(D) facilities that support semiprofessional or professional athletics;

(E) indoor facilities such as recreation centers or facilities that support primarily non-outdoor purposes; or

(F) acquisition of land or interests in land that restrict access to specific persons.

(e) National park service requirements.—In carrying out the Outdoor Recreation Legacy Partnership Grant Program, the Secretary shall—

(1) conduct an initial screening and technical review of applications received; and

(2) evaluate and score all qualifying applications.

(f) Reporting.—

(1) ANNUAL REPORTS.—Not later than 30 days after the last day of each report period, each State lead agency that receives a grant under this section shall annually submit to the Secretary performance and financial reports that—

(A) summarize project activities conducted during the report period; and

(B) provide the status of the project.

(2) FINAL REPORTS.—Not later than 90 days after the earlier of the date of expiration of a project period or the completion of a project, each State lead agency that receives a grant under this section shall submit to the Secretary a final report containing such information as the Secretary may require.

(g) Revenue sharing.—Section 105(a)(2) of the Gulf of Mexico Energy Security Act of 2006 (43 U.S.C. 1331 note) is amended—

(1) in subparagraph (A), by striking “and”;

(2) in subparagraph (B)—

(A) by striking “25 percent” and inserting “20 percent”; and

(B) by striking the period at the end and inserting “; and”; and

(3) by adding at the end the following:

“(C) 5 percent to provide grants under the Outdoor Recreation Legacy Partnership Grant Program established under section 11 of the Environmental Justice for All Act.”.

SEC. 12. Protections for environmental justice communities against harmful Federal actions.

(a) Purpose; definitions.—

(1) PURPOSE.—The purpose of this section is to establish additional protections relating to Federal actions affecting environmental justice communities in recognition of the disproportionate burden of adverse human health or environmental effects faced by such communities.

(2) DEFINITIONS.—In this section:

(A) FEDERAL ACTION.—The term “Federal action” means a proposed action that requires the preparation of an environmental impact statement, environmental assessment, categorical exclusion, or other document under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.).

(B) ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT.—The term “environmental impact statement” means the detailed statement of environmental impacts of a proposed action required to be prepared pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.).

(b) Preparation of a community impact report.—A Federal agency proposing to take a Federal action that could negatively impact an environmental justice community shall prepare a community impact report assessing the impact of the proposed action.

(c) Contents.—The community impact report described in subsection (b) shall—

(1) assess the degree to which a proposed Federal action affecting an environmental justice community will cause cumulative or multiple exposure to human health and environmental hazards that contribute to higher rates of serious illnesses;

(2) assess relevant public health data and industry data concerning the potential for multiple or cumulative exposure to human health or environmental hazards in the area of the environmental justice community and historical patterns of exposure to environmental hazards. Agencies shall assess these multiple, or cumulative effects, even if certain effects are not within the control or subject to the discretion of the Federal agency proposing the Federal action;

(3) assess the impact of such proposed Federal action on such environmental justice community’s ability to access public parks, outdoor spaces, and public recreation opportunities;

(4) evaluate alternatives to or mitigation measures for the proposed Federal action that will—

(A) reduce or eliminate any identified exposure to human health and environmental hazards described in paragraph (1); and

(B) not negatively impact an environmental justice community’s ability to access public parks, outdoor spaces, and public recreation opportunities; and

(5) analyze any alternative developed by members of an affected environmental justice community that meets the purpose and need of the proposed action.

(d) Delegation.—Federal agencies shall not delegate responsibility for the preparation of a community impact report prepared under this section to any other entity.

(e) National Environmental Policy Act requirements for environmental justice communities.—When carrying out the requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.) for a proposed Federal action that may affect an environmental justice community, a Federal agency shall—

(1) consider all potential direct, indirect, and cumulative impacts caused by the action, alternatives to such action, and mitigation measures on the environmental justice community;

(2) require any public comment period carried out during the scoping phase of the environmental review process to be no less than 90 days;

(3) provide early and meaningful community involvement opportunities by—

(A) holding multiple hearings in such community regarding the proposed Federal action in each prominent language within the environmental justice community;

(B) providing notice of any step or action in the National Environmental Policy Act process that involves public participation to any representative entities or organizations present in the environmental justice community including—

(i) local religious organizations;

(ii) civic associations and organizations;

(iii) business associations of people of color;

(iv) environmental and environmental justice organizations;

(v) homeowners’, tenants’, and neighborhood watch groups;

(vi) local and Tribal governments;

(vii) rural cooperatives;

(viii) business and trade organizations;

(ix) community and social service organizations;

(x) universities, colleges, and vocational schools;

(xi) labor organizations;

(xii) civil rights organizations;

(xiii) senior citizens’ groups; and

(xiv) public health agencies and clinics; and

(4) provide translations of publicly available documents made available pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act in any language spoken by more than 5 percent of the population residing within the environmental justice community.

(f) Communication methods and requirements.—Any notice provided under subsection (f)(3)(B) shall be provided—

(1) through communication methods that are accessible in the environmental justice community. Such methods may include electronic media, newspapers, radio, and other media particularly targeted at communities of color, low-income communities, rural communities, and Tribal and indigenous communities; and

(2) at least 30 days before any hearing in such community or the start of any public comment period.

(g) Requirements for actions requiring an environmental impact statement.—For any proposed Federal action affecting an environmental justice community requiring the preparation of an environmental impact statement, the Federal agency shall provide the following information when giving notice of the proposed action:

(1) A description of the proposed action.

(2) An outline of the anticipated schedule for completing the process under the National Environmental Policy Act, with a description of key milestones.

(3) An initial list of alternatives and potential impacts.

(4) An initial list of other existing or proposed sources of multiple or cumulative exposure to environmental hazards that contribute to higher rates of serious illnesses within the environmental justice community.

(5) An agency point of contact.

(6) Timely notice of locations where comments will be received or public meetings held.

(7) Any telephone number or locations where further information can be obtained.

(h) National Environmental Policy Act requirements for Indian Tribes.—When carrying out the requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act for a proposed Federal action that may affect an Indian Tribe, a Federal agency shall—

(1) seek Tribal representation in the process in a manner that is consistent with the government-to-government relationship between the United States and Tribal governments, the Federal Government’s trust responsibility to Federally-recognized Tribes, and any treaty rights;

(2) ensure that an Indian Tribe is invited to hold the status of a cooperating agency throughout the National Environmental Policy Act process for any proposed action that could impact an Indian Tribe including actions that could impact off reservation lands and sacred sites; and

(3) invite an Indian Tribe to hold the status of a cooperating agency in accordance with paragraph (2) no later than the commencement of the scoping process for a proposed action requiring the preparation of an environmental impact statement.

(i) Agency determinations.—Federal agency determinations about the analysis of a community impact report described in this section shall be subject to judicial review to the same extent as any other analysis performed under the National Environmental Policy Act.

(j) Effective date.—This section shall take effect one year after the date of enactment of this Act.

(k) Savings clause.—Nothing in this section diminishes any right granted through the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.) to the public.

SEC. 13. Training of employees of Federal agencies.

(a) Initial period of training.—Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall offer to each employee of the Environmental Protection Agency an opportunity to participate in an environmental justice training program to ensure that each employee of the Environmental Protection Agency—

(1) has received training in environmental justice; and

(2) is capable of—

(A) appropriately incorporating environmental justice concepts into the daily activities of the employee; and

(B) increasing the meaningful participation of individuals from environmental justice communities in the activities of the Environmental Protection Agency.

(b) Mandatory participation.—Effective on the date that is 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, each individual hired by the Environmental Protection Agency after that date shall be required to participate in environmental justice training.

(c) Requirement relating to certain employees.—

(1) IN GENERAL.—With respect to each Federal agency that participates in the Working Group, not later than 30 days after the date on which an individual is appointed to the position of environmental justice coordinator, environmental justice ombudsman, or any other position the responsibility of which involves the conduct of environmental justice activities, the individual shall be required to possess documentation of the completion by the individual of environmental justice training.

(2) EFFECT.—If an individual described in paragraph (1) fails to meet the requirement described in that paragraph, the Federal agency at which the individual is employed shall transfer the individual to a different position until the date on which the individual completes environmental justice training.

(3) EVALUATION.—Not later than 3 years after the date of enactment of this Act, the Inspector General of each Federal agency that participates in the Working Group shall evaluate the training programs of such Federal agency to determine if such Federal agency has improved the rate of training of the employees of such Federal agency to ensure that each employee has received environmental justice training.

SEC. 14. Environmental justice grant programs.

(a) Environmental justice community grant program.—

(1) ESTABLISHMENT.—The Administrator shall establish a program under which the Administrator shall provide grants to eligible entities to assist the eligible entities in—

(A) building capacity to address issues relating to environmental justice; and

(B) carrying out any activity described in paragraph (4).

(2) ELIGIBILITY.—To be eligible to receive a grant under paragraph (1), an eligible entity shall be a nonprofit, community-based organization that conducts activities to reduce the disproportionate health impacts of environmental pollution in the environmental justice community at which the eligible entity proposes to conduct an activity that is the subject of the application described in paragraph (3).

(3) APPLICATION.—To be eligible to receive a grant under paragraph (1), an eligible entity shall submit to the Administrator an application at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Administrator may require, including—

(A) an outline describing the means by which the project proposed by the eligible entity will—

(i) with respect to environmental and public health issues at the local level, increase the understanding of the environmental justice community at which the eligible entity will conduct the project;

(ii) improve the ability of the environmental justice community to address each issue described in clause (i); and

(iii) facilitate collaboration and cooperation among various stakeholders (including members of the environmental justice community);

(B) a proposed budget for each activity of the project that is the subject of the application;

(C) a list of proposed outcomes with respect to the proposed project;

(D) a description of the ways by which the eligible entity may leverage the funds of the eligible entity, or the funds made available through a grant under this subsection, to develop a project that is capable of being sustained beyond the period of the grant; and

(E) a description of the ways by which the eligible entity is linked to, and representative of, the environmental justice community at which the eligible entity will conduct the project.

(4) USE OF FUNDS.—An eligible entity may only use a grant under this subsection to carry out culturally and linguistically appropriate projects and activities that are tailored to the needs of the environmental justice community at which the eligible entity proposes to conduct the project or activity to address environmental justice concerns and improve the health or environment of the environmental justice community, including activities—

(A) to create or develop collaborative partnerships;

(B) to educate and provide outreach services to the environmental justice community;

(C) to identify, and implement projects to address, environmental, or public health concerns; or

(D) to develop a comprehensive understanding of environmental or public health issues.

(5) REPORT.—

(A) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, and annually thereafter, the Administrator shall submit to the Committees on Energy and Commerce and Natural Resources of the House of Representatives and the Committees on Environment and Public Works and Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate a report describing the ways by which the grant program under this subsection has helped community-based nonprofit organizations address issues relating to environmental justice.

(B) PUBLIC AVAILABILITY.—The Administrator shall make the report required under subparagraph (A) available to the public (including by posting a copy of the report on the website of the Environmental Protection Agency).

(6) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this subsection $20,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2021 through 2025. (b) State grant program.—

(1) ESTABLISHMENT.—The Administrator shall establish a program under which the Administrator shall provide grants to States to enable the States—

(A) to establish culturally and linguistically appropriate protocols, activities, and mechanisms for addressing issues relating to environmental justice; and

(B) to carry out culturally and linguistically appropriate activities to reduce or eliminate disproportionately adverse human health or environmental effects on environmental justice communities in the State.

(2) ELIGIBILITY.—

(A) APPLICATION.—To be eligible to receive a grant under paragraph (1), a State shall submit to the Administrator an application at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Administrator may require, including—

(i) a plan that contains a description of the means by which the funds provided through a grant under paragraph (1) will be used to address issues relating to environmental justice at the State level; and

(ii) assurances that the funds provided through a grant under paragraph (1) will be used only to supplement the amount of funds that the State allocates for initiatives relating to environmental justice.

(B) ABILITY TO CONTINUE PROGRAM.—To be eligible to receive a grant under paragraph (1), a State shall demonstrate to the Administrator that the State has the ability to continue each program that is the subject of funds provided through a grant under paragraph (1) after receipt of the funds.

(3) REPORT.—

(A) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, and annually thereafter, the Administrator shall submit to the Committees on Energy and Commerce and Natural Resources of the House of Representatives and the Committees on Environment and Public Works and Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate a report describing—

(i) the implementation of the grant program established under paragraph (1);

(ii) the impact of the grant program on improving the ability of each participating State to address environmental justice issues; and

(iii) the activities carried out by each State to reduce or eliminate disproportionately adverse human health or environmental effects on environmental justice communities in the State.

(B) PUBLIC AVAILABILITY.—The Administrator shall make the report required under subparagraph (A) available to the public (including by posting a copy of the report on the website of the Environmental Protection Agency).

(4) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this subsection $10,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2021 through 2025.

(c) Tribal grant program.—

(1) ESTABLISHMENT.—The Administrator shall establish a program under which the Administrator shall provide grants to Tribal Governments to enable the Indian Tribes—

(A) to establish culturally and linguistically appropriate protocols, activities, and mechanisms for addressing issues relating to environmental justice; and

(B) to carry out culturally and linguistically appropriate activities to reduce or eliminate disproportionately adverse human health or environmental effects on environmental justice communities in Tribal and indigenous communities.

(2) ELIGIBILITY.—

(A) APPLICATION.—To be eligible to receive a grant under paragraph (1), a Tribal Government shall submit to the Administrator an application at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Administrator may require, including—

(i) a plan that contains a description of the means by which the funds provided through a grant under paragraph (1) will be used to address issues relating to environmental justice in Tribal and indigenous communities; and

(ii) assurances that the funds provided through a grant under paragraph (1) will be used only to supplement the amount of funds that the Tribal Government allocates for initiatives relating to environmental justice.

(B) ABILITY TO CONTINUE PROGRAM.—To be eligible to receive a grant under paragraph (1), a Tribal Government shall demonstrate to the Administrator that the Tribal Government has the ability to continue each program that is the subject of funds provided through a grant under paragraph (1) after receipt of the funds.

(3) REPORT.—

(A) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, and annually thereafter, the Administrator shall submit to the Committees on Energy and Commerce and Natural Resources of the House of Representatives and the Committees on Environment and Public Works and Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate a report describing—

(i) the implementation of the grant program established under paragraph (1);

(ii) the impact of the grant program on improving the ability of each participating Indian Tribe to address environmental justice issues; and

(iii) the activities carried out by each Tribal Government to reduce or eliminate disproportionately adverse human health or environmental effects on applicable environmental justice communities in Tribal and indigenous communities.

(B) PUBLIC AVAILABILITY.—The Administrator shall make the report required under subparagraph (A) available to the public (including by posting a copy of the report on the website of the Environmental Protection Agency).

(4) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this subsection $10,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2021 through 2025.

(d) Community-Based participatory research grant program.—

(1) ESTABLISHMENT.—The Administrator, in consultation with the Director, shall establish a program under which the Administrator shall provide not more than 25 multiyear grants to eligible entities to carry out community-based participatory research—

(A) to address issues relating to environmental justice;

(B) to improve the environment of residents of environmental justice communities; and

(C) to improve the health outcomes of residents of environmental justice communities.

(2) ELIGIBILITY.—To be eligible to receive a multiyear grant under paragraph (1), an eligible entity shall be a partnership comprised of—

(A) an accredited institution of higher education; and

(B) a community-based organization.

(3) APPLICATION.—To be eligible to receive a multiyear grant under paragraph (1), an eligible entity shall submit to the Administrator an application at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Administrator may require, including—

(A) a detailed description of the partnership of the eligible entity that, as determined by the Administrator, demonstrates the participation of members of the community at which the eligible entity proposes to conduct the research; and

(B) a description of—

(i) the project proposed by the eligible entity; and

(ii) the ways by which the project will—

(I) address issues relating to environmental justice;

(II) assist in the improvement of health outcomes of residents of environmental justice communities; and

(III) assist in the improvement of the environment of residents of environmental justice communities.

(4) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this subsection $10,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2021 through 2025.

SEC. 15. Environmental justice basic training program.

(a) Establishment.—The Administrator shall establish a basic training program to increase the capacity of residents of environmental justice communities to identify and address disproportionately adverse human health or environmental effects by providing culturally and linguistically appropriate—

(1) training relating to—

(A) basic and advanced techniques for the detection, assessment, and evaluation of the effects of hazardous substances on human health;

(B) methods to assess the risks to human health presented by hazardous substances;

(C) methods and technologies to detect hazardous substances in the environment; and

(D) basic biological, chemical, and physical methods to reduce the quantity and toxicity of hazardous substances;

(E) the rights and safeguards currently afforded to individuals through policies and laws intended to help environmental justice communities address disparate impacts and discrimination including—

(i) environmental laws; and

(ii) section 602 of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (42 U.S.C. 2000d–1);

(F) public engagement opportunities through the policies and laws described in subsection (a)(1)(E); and

(G) materials available on the Environmental Justice Clearinghouse, established under section 17 of this Act; and

(2) short courses and continuation education programs for residents of communities who are located in close proximity to hazardous substances to provide—

(A) education relating to—

(i) the proper manner to handle hazardous substances;

(ii) the management of facilities at which hazardous substances are located (including facility compliance protocols); and

(iii) the evaluation of the hazards that facilities described in clause (ii) pose to human health; and

(B) training on environmental and occupational health and safety with respect to the public health and engineering aspects of hazardous waste control.

(b) Grant program.—

(1) ESTABLISHMENT.—In carrying out the training program, the Administrator may provide grants to, or enter into any contract or cooperative agreement with, an eligible entity to carry out any training or educational activity described in subsection (a).

(2) ELIGIBLE ENTITY.—To be eligible to receive assistance under paragraph (1), an eligible entity shall be an accredited institution of education in partnership with—

(A) a community-based organization that carries out activities relating to environmental justice;

(B) a generator of hazardous waste;

(C) any individual who is involved in the detection, assessment, evaluation, or treatment of environmental waste;

(D) any owner or operator of a facility at which hazardous substances are located; or

(E) any State government, Tribal Government, or local government.

(c) Plan.—

(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator, in consultation with the Director, shall develop and publish in the Federal Register a plan to carry out the basic training program described in subsection (a).

(2) CONTENTS.—The plan described in paragraph (1) shall contain—

(A) a list that describes the relative priority of each activity described in subsection (a); and

(B) a description of research and training relevant to environmental justice issues of communities adversely affected by pollution.

(3) COORDINATION WITH FEDERAL AGENCIES.—The Administrator shall, to the maximum extent practicable, take appropriate steps to coordinate the activities of the training program described in the plan with the activities of other Federal agencies to avoid any duplication of effort.

(d) Report.—

(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of this Act, and every 2 years thereafter, the Administrator shall submit to the Committees on Energy and Commerce and Natural Resources of the House of Representatives and the Committees on Environment and Public Works and Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate a report describing—

(A) the implementation of the training program established under subsection (a); and

(B) the impact of the training program on improving training opportunities for residents of environmental justice communities.

(2) PUBLIC AVAILABILITY.—The Administrator shall make the report required under paragraph (1) available to the public (including by posting a copy of the report on the website of the Environmental Protection Agency).

(e) Authorization of appropriations.—There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section $10,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2021 through 2025.

SEC. 16. National Environmental Justice Advisory Council.

(a) Establishment.—The President shall establish an advisory council to be known as the National Environmental Justice Advisory Council.

(b) Membership.—The Advisory Council shall be comprised of 26 members who have knowledge of, or experience relating to, the effect of environmental conditions on communities of color, low-income communities, rural communities, and Tribal and indigenous communities, including—

(1) representatives of—

(A) community-based organizations that carry out initiatives relating to environmental justice;

(B) State governments, Tribal Governments, and local governments;

(C) Indian Tribes and other indigenous groups;

(D) nongovernmental and environmental organizations; and

(E) private sector organizations (including representatives of industries and businesses); and

(2) experts in the fields of—

(A) socioeconomic analysis;

(B) health and environmental effects;

(C) exposure evaluation;

(D) environmental law and civil rights law; and

(E) environmental health science research.

(c) Subcommittees; workgroups.—

(1) ESTABLISHMENT.—The Advisory Council may establish any subcommittee or workgroup to assist the Advisory Council in carrying out any duty of the Advisory Council described in subsection (d).

(2) REPORT.—Upon the request of the Advisory Council, each subcommittee or workgroup established by the Advisory Council under paragraph (1) shall submit to the Advisory Council a report that contains—

(A) a description of each recommendation of the subcommittee or workgroup; and

(B) any advice requested by the Advisory Council with respect to any duty of the Advisory Council.

(d) Duties.—The Advisory Council shall provide independent advice and recommendations to the Environmental Protection Agency with respect to issues relating to environmental justice, including advice—

(1) to help develop, facilitate, and conduct reviews of the direction, criteria, scope, and adequacy of the scientific research and demonstration projects of the Environmental Protection Agency relating to environmental justice;

(2) to improve participation, cooperation, and communication with respect to such issues—

(A) within the Environmental Protection Agency;

(B) between the Environmental Protection Agency and other entities; and

(C) between, and among, the Environmental Protection Agency and Federal agencies, State, and local governments, Indian Tribes, environmental justice leaders, interest groups, and the public;

(3) requested by the Administrator to help improve the response of the Environmental Protection Agency in securing environmental justice for communities of color, low-income communities, rural communities, and Tribal and indigenous communities; and

(4) on issues relating to—

(A) the developmental framework of the Environmental Protection Agency with respect to the integration by the Environmental Protection Agency of socioeconomic programs into the strategic planning, annual planning, and management accountability of the Environmental Protection Agency to achieve environmental justice results throughout the Environmental Protection Agency;

(B) the measurement and evaluation of the progress, quality, and adequacy of the Environmental Protection Agency in planning, developing, and implementing environmental justice strategies, projects, and programs;

(C) any existing and future information management systems, technologies, and data collection activities of the Environmental Protection Agency (including recommendations to conduct analyses that support and strengthen environmental justice programs in administrative and scientific areas);

(D) the administration by the Administrator of grant programs relating to environmental justice assistance; and

(E) the awareness of education training and other outreach activities conducted by the Environmental Protection Agency relating to environmental justice.

(e) Meetings.—

(1) FREQUENCY.—

(A) IN GENERAL.—Subject to subparagraph (B), the Advisory Council shall meet biannually.

(B) AUTHORITY OF ADMINISTRATOR.—The Administrator may require the Advisory Council to conduct additional meetings if the Administrator determines that the conduct of any additional meetings are necessary.

(2) PUBLIC PARTICIPATION.—

(A) IN GENERAL.—Subject to subparagraph (B), each meeting of the Advisory Council shall be open to the public to provide the public an opportunity—

(i) to submit comments to the Advisory Council; and

(ii) to appear before the Advisory Council.

(B) AUTHORITY OF ADMINISTRATOR.—The Administrator may close any meeting, or portion of any meeting, to the public.

(f) FACA.—The Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App.) shall apply to the Advisory Council.

(g) Travel expenses.—The Administrator may provide to any member of the Advisory Council travel expenses, including per diem in lieu of subsistence, at rates authorized for an employee of an agency under subchapter I of chapter 57 of title 5, United States Code, while away from the home or regular place of business of the member in the performance of the duties of the Advisory Council.

SEC. 17. Environmental Justice Clearinghouse.

(a) Establishment.—Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall establish a public internet-based clearinghouse to be known as the Environmental Justice Clearinghouse.

(b) Contents.—The Clearinghouse shall be comprised of culturally and linguistically appropriate materials, including—

(1) information describing the activities conducted by the Environmental Protection Agency to address issues relating to environmental justice;

(2) copies of training materials provided by the Administrator to help individuals and employees understand and carry out environmental justice activities;

(3) links to web pages that describe environmental justice activities of other Federal agencies;

(4) a directory of individuals who possess technical expertise in issues relating to environmental justice;

(5) a directory of nonprofit and community-based organizations that address issues relating to environmental justice at the local, State, and Federal levels (with particular emphasis given to nonprofit and community-based organizations that possess the capability to provide advice or technical assistance to environmental justice communities); and

(6) any other appropriate information as determined by the Administrator.

(c) Consultation.—In developing the Clearinghouse, the Administrator shall consult with individuals representing academic and community-based organizations who have expertise in issues relating to environmental justice.

(d) Annual review.—The Advisory Council shall—

(1) conduct a review of the Clearinghouse on an annual basis; and

(2) recommend to the Administrator any updates for the Clearinghouse that the Advisory Council determines to be necessary for the effective operation of the Clearinghouse.

SEC. 18. Public meetings.

(a) In general.—Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of this Act, and biennially thereafter, the Administrator shall hold public meetings on environmental justice issues at each regional office of the Environmental Protection Agency to gather public input with respect to the planning of future environmental justice activities of the Environmental Protection Agency.

(b) Required attendance of certain employees.—In holding a public meeting under subsection (a), the Administrator shall ensure that at least 1 employee of the Environmental Protection Agency at the level of Assistant Administrator is present at the meeting to serve as a representative of the Environmental Protection Agency.

SEC. 19. Supplemental environmental projects for environmental justice communities.

The Administrator shall ensure that all supplemental environmental projects developed as part of a settlement relating to violations in an environmental justice community—

(1) are developed through consultation with, and with the meaningful participation of, individuals from the affected environmental justice community; and

(2) result in a quantifiable improvement to the health or well-being of individuals in the affected environmental justice community.

SEC. 20. Grants to further achievement of Tribal coastal zone objectives.

(a) Grants authorized.—The Coastal Zone Management Act of 1972 (16 U.S.C. 1451 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following:

“SEC. 320. Grants to further achievement of tribal coastal zone objectives.

“(a) Grants authorized.—The Secretary may award competitive grants to Indian Tribes to further achievement of the objectives of such a Tribe for its Tribal coastal zone.

“(b) Cost share.—

“(1) IN GENERAL.—The Federal share of the cost of any activity carried out with a grant under this section shall be—

“(A) in the case of a grant of less than $200,000, 100 percent of such cost; and

“(B) in the case of a grant of $200,000 or more, 95 percent of such cost, except as provided in paragraph (2).

“(2) WAIVER.—The Secretary may waive the application of paragraph (1)(B) with respect to a grant to an Indian Tribe, or otherwise reduce the portion of the share of the cost of an activity required to be paid by an Indian Tribe under such paragraph, if the Secretary determines that the Tribe does not have sufficient funds to pay such portion.

“(c) Compatibility.—The Secretary may not award a grant under this section unless the Secretary determines that the activities to be carried out with the grant are compatible with this title and that the grantee has consulted with the affected coastal state regarding the grant objectives and purposes.

“(d) Authorized objectives and purposes.—Amounts awarded as a grant under this section shall be used for one or more of the objectives and purposes authorized under subsections (b) and (c), respectively, of section 306A.

“(e) Funding.—Of amounts appropriated to carry out this Act, $5,000,000 is authorized to carry out this section for each fiscal year.

“(f) Definitions.—In this section:

“(1) INDIAN LAND.—The term ‘Indian land’ has the meaning that term has under section 2601 of the Energy Policy Act of 1992 (25 U.S.C. 3501).

“(2) TRIBAL COASTAL ZONE.—The term ‘Tribal coastal zone’ means any Indian land of an Indian Tribe that is within the coastal zone.

“(3) TRIBAL COASTAL ZONE OBJECTIVE.—The term ‘Tribal coastal zone objective’ means, with respect to an Indian Tribe, any of the following objectives:

“(A) Protection, restoration, or preservation of areas in the Tribal coastal zone of such Tribe that hold—

“(i) important ecological, cultural, or sacred significance for such Tribe; or

“(ii) traditional, historic, and esthetic values essential to such Tribe.

“(B) Preparing and implementing a special area management plan and technical planning for important coastal areas.

“(C) Any coastal or shoreline stabilization measure, including any mitigation measure, for the purpose of public safety, public access, or cultural or historical preservation.”.

(b) Guidance.—Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Commerce shall issue guidance for the program established under the amendment made by subsection (a), including the criteria for awarding grants under such program based on consultation with Indian Tribes (as that term is defined in that amendment).

(c) Use of State grants to fulfill Tribal objectives.—Section 306A(c)(2) of the Coastal Zone Management Act of 1972 (16 U.S.C. 1455a(c)(2)) is amended by striking “and” after the semicolon at the end of subparagraph (D), by striking the period at the end of subparagraph (E) and inserting “; and”, and by adding at the end the following:

“(F) fulfilling any Tribal coastal zone objective (as that term is defined in section 320).”. (d) Other programs not affected.—Nothing in this section shall be construed to affect the ability of an Indian Tribe to apply for, receive assistance under, or participate in any program authorized by the Coastal Zone Management Act of 1972 (16 U.S.C. 1451 et seq.) or other related Federal laws.

SEC. 21. Safer cosmetic alternatives for disproportionately impacted communities.

(a) In general.—The Secretary of Health and Human Services (in this section referred to as the “Secretary”), acting through the Commissioner of Food and Drugs, in consultation with the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, shall award grants to eligible entities to support research focused on the design of safer alternatives to chemicals in cosmetics with inherent toxicity or associated with chronic adverse health effects.

(b) Eligible entities.—To be eligible to receive a grant under subsection (a), an entity shall—

(1) be a public institution such as a university, a not-for-profit research institution, or a small business; and

(2) not benefit from a financial relationship with a cosmetics manufacturer, supplier, or trade association.

(c) Priority.—In awarding grants under subsection (a), the Secretary shall give priority to applicants proposing to focus on—

(1) replacing chemicals in professional cosmetic products used by nail and hair and beauty salon workers with safer alternatives; or

(2) replacing chemicals in cosmetic products marketed to women and girls of color, including any such beauty, personal hygiene, and intimate care products, with safer alternatives.

(d) Authorization of appropriations.—To carry out this section, there are authorized to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary for fiscal years 2020 through 2025.

SEC. 22. Support by National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences for research on health disparities impacting communities of color.

Subpart 12 of part C of title IV of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 285l et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following new section:

“SEC. 463C. Research on health disparities related to cosmetics impacting communities of color.

“(a) In general.—The Director of the Institute shall award grants to eligible entities—

“(1) to expand support for basic, epidemiological, and social scientific investigations into—

“(A) the chemicals linked to adverse health effects most commonly found in cosmetics marketed to women and girls of color, including beauty, personal hygiene, and intimate care products;

“(B) the marketing and sale of such cosmetics containing chemicals linked to adverse health effects to women and girls of color across their lifespans; or

“(C) the use of such cosmetics by women and girls of color across their lifespans; and

“(2) to disseminate the results of any such research described in subparagraph (A) or (B) of paragraph (1) (conducted by the grantee pursuant to this section or otherwise) to help communities identify and address potentially unsafe chemical exposures in the use of cosmetics.

“(b) Eligible entities.—To be eligible to receive a grant under subsection (a), an entity shall—

“(1) be a public institution such as a university, a not-for-profit research institution, or a small business; and

“(2) not benefit from a financial relationship with a cosmetics manufacturer, supplier, or trade association.

“(c) Report.—Not later than the end 1 year after awarding grants under this section, the Director of the Institute shall issue for the public and submit to the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions of the Senate a report on the results of the investigations funded under subsection (a), including—

“(1) summary findings on—

“(A) marketing strategies, product categories, and specific cosmetics containing ingredients linked to adverse health effects; and

“(B) the demographics of the populations marketed to and using these cosmetics; and

“(2) recommended public health information strategies to reduce potentially unsafe exposures to cosmetics.

“(d) Authorization of appropriations.—To carry out this section, there are authorized to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary for fiscal years 2020 through 2025.”.

SEC. 23. Revenues for just transition assistance.

(a) Mineral leasing revenue.—The Mineral Leasing Act (30 U.S.C. 181 et seq.) is amended—

(1) in section 7, by striking “12 ½” and inserting “18.75”;

(2) in section 17—

(A) by striking “12.5” each place such term appears and inserting “18.75”; and

(B) by striking “12 ½” each place such term appears and inserting “18.75”;

(3) in section 31(e), by striking “162⁄3 ” each place such term appears and inserting “25”;

(4) in section 17, by striking “Lease sales shall be held for each State where eligible lands are available at least quarterly and more frequently if the Secretary of the Interior determines such sales are necessary.”; and

(5) in section 35—

(A) by striking “All” and inserting “(1) All”; and

(B) by adding at the end the following:

“(2) Notwithstanding paragraph (1), any funds collected as a result of the amendments made by section 23(a) of the Environmental Justice for All Act of 2019 shall be distributed consistent with the manner provided in section 23(d) of such Act.”.

(b) Conservation of resources fees.—There is established a Conservation of Resources Fee of $4 per acre per year on producing Federal onshore and offshore oil and gas leases.

(c) Speculative leasing fees.—The fee for speculative leasing for Federal oil and gas nonproducing leases on- and off-shore shall be $6 per acre per year.

(d) Deposit.—

(1) All funds collected pursuant to subsections (b) and (c) shall be deposited in the Federal Energy Transition Economic Development Assistance Fund established in section 24;

(2) 50 percent of funds collected as a result of the amendments made by this section shall be deposited in the Federal Energy Transition Economic Development Assistance Fund established in section 24; and

(3) 50 percent of funds collected as a result of the amendments made by this section shall be returned to the States where production occurred.

(e) Adjustment for inflation.—The Secretary shall, by regulation at least once every four years, adjust each fee created by this section to reflect any change in the Consumer Price Index (all items, United States city average) as prepared by the Department of Labor.

(f) Definitions.—For the purposes of this section:

(1) SECRETARY.—The term “Secretary” means the Secretary of the Interior.

(2) NONPRODUCING LEASE.—The term “nonproducing lease” means any lease where oil or natural gas is produced for less than 90 days in a calendar year.

SEC. 24. Economic revitalization for fossil fuel dependent communities.

(a) Purpose.—The purpose of this section is to promote economic revitalization, diversification, and development in communities that depend on fossil fuel mining and extraction for a significant amount of economic opportunities.

(b) Establishment of Federal Energy Transition Economic Development Assistance Fund.—There is established in the Treasury of the United States a fund, to be known as the “Federal Energy Transition Economic Development Assistance Fund”. Such fund consists of amounts deposited under section 23.

(c) Distribution of funds.—Of the amounts deposited into the Fund—

(1) 35 percent shall be distributed by the Secretary to States in which extraction of fossil fuels occurs on public lands, based on a formula reflecting existing production and extraction in each such State;

(2) 35 percent shall be distributed by the Secretary to States based on a formula reflecting the quantity of fossil fuels historically produced and extracted in each such State on public lands before the date of enactment of this Act; and

(3) 30 percent shall be allocated to a competitive grant program pursuant to subsection (e).

(d) Use of Funds.—

(1) IN GENERAL.—Funds distributed by the Secretary to States under paragraphs (1) and (2) of subsection (c) may be used for—

(A) environmental remediation of lands and waters impacted by fossil fuel extraction and mining;

(B) building partnerships to attract and invest in the economic future of historically fossil-fuel dependent communities;

(C) increasing capacity and other technical assistance fostering long-term economic growth and opportunity in historically fossil-fuel dependent communities;

(D) guaranteeing pensions, healthcare, and retirement security and providing a bridge of wage support until a displaced worker either finds new employment or reaches retirement;

(E) severance payments for displaced workers;

(F) carbon sequestration projects in natural systems on public lands;

(G) expanding broadband access and broadband infrastructure; or

(H) alternative energy research projects, including the use of coal, oil, and gas resources in ways that do not result in significant greenhouse gas emissions.

(2) PRIORITY TO FOSSIL FUEL WORKERS.—In distributing funds under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall place a priority on assisting workers dislocated from fossil fuel mining and extraction industries.

(e) Competitive grant program.—

(1) IN GENERAL..—The Secretary shall establish a competitive grant program to provide funds to eligible entities for the purposes described in paragraph (3).

(2) ELIGIBLE ENTITIES.—For the purposes of this subsection, the term “eligible entities” means local, State, and Tribal governments, development districts (as such term is defined in section 382E of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act (7 U.S.C. 2009aa-4)), nonprofits, labor unions, and institutions of higher education, including community colleges.

(3) ELIGIBLE USE OF FUNDS.—The Secretary may award grants from amounts in the Fund for the purposes listed in subsection (d) and for—

(A) existing job retraining and apprenticeship programs for displaced workers or for programs designed to promote economic development in communities affected by a downturn in fossil fuel extraction and mining;

(B) developing projects that diversify local and regional economies, create jobs in new or existing non-fossil fuel industries, attract new sources of job-creating investment, and provide a range of workforce services and skills training;

(C) internship programs in a field related to clean energy; and

(D) the development and support of a clean energy—

(i) certificate program at a labor organization; or

(ii) a major or minor program at an institution of higher education, as such term is defined in section 101 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1001).

(f) Just transition advisory committee.—

(1) ESTABLISHMENT.—Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall establish an advisory committee to be known as the “Just Transition Advisory Committee”.

(2) CHAIR.—The President shall appoint a Chair of the Advisory Committee.

(3) DUTIES.—The Advisory Committee shall—

(A) advise, assist, and support the Secretary in the management and allocation of funds available under subsection (c) and in the establishment and administration of the Competitive Grant Program under subsection (f); and

(B) develop procedures to ensure that States and applicants eligible to participate in the competitive grant program established pursuant to subsection (f) are notified of availability of Federal funds pursuant to this Act.

(4) MEMBERSHIP.—The total membership of the Advisory Committee shall not exceed 24 members and the Advisory Committee shall be composed of the following members appointed by the Chair:

(A) A representative of the Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development.

(B) A representative of the Secretary of Labor.

(C) A representative of the Under Secretary for Rural Development.

(D) Two individuals with professional economic development or workforce retraining experience.

(E) An equal number of representatives from each of the following:

(i) Labor unions.

(ii) Nonprofit environmental organizations.

(iii) Environmental justice organizations.

(iv) Fossil fuel transition communities.

(v) Public interest groups.

(vi) Tribal and indigenous communities.

(4) TERMINATION.—The Just Transition Advisory Committee shall not terminate except by an Act of Congress.

(g) Limit on Use of Funds.—

(1) ADMINISTRATIVE COSTS.—No more than 7 percent of the amounts in the Fund may be used for administrative costs incurred in implementing this Act.

(2) LIMITATION ON FUNDS TO A SINGLE ENTITY.—No more than 5 percent of the amounts in the Fund may be awarded to a single eligible entity.

(3) CALENDAR YEAR LIMITATION.—At least 15 percent of the amount in the Fund must be spent in each calendar year.

(h) Wage rate requirements.—The Secretary shall require each recipient of funds under this section to meet the prevailing wage requirements under chapter IV of chapter 31 of part A of subtitle II of title 40, United States Code (commonly referred to as the “Davis-Bacon Act”), with respect to any laborer or mechanic employed using such funds, including those employed by contractors or subcontractors.

(i) Use of American iron, steel, and manufactured goods.—None of the funds appropriated or otherwise made available by this Act may be used for a project for the construction, alteration, maintenance, or repair of a public building or public work unless all of the iron, steel, and manufactured goods used in the project are produced in the United States unless such manufactured good is not produced in the United States.

(j) Submission to Congress.—The Secretary shall submit to the Committees on Appropriations and Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate and to the Committees on Appropriations and Natural Resources in the House of Representatives, with the annual budget submission of the President, a list of projects, including a description of each project, that received funding under this section in the previous calendar year.

(k) Definitions.—For the purposes of this section:

(1) SECRETARY.—The term “Secretary” means the Secretary of the Interior.

(2) ADVISORY COMMITTEE.—The term “Advisory Committee” means the Just Transition Advisory Committee established by this section.

(3) PUBLIC LAND.—The term “public land” means any land and interest in land owned by the United States within the several States and administered by the Secretary of the Interior or the Chief of the United States Forest Service, without regard to how the United States acquired ownership, including lands located on the Outer Continental Shelf but excluding lands held in trust for an Indian or Indian Tribe.

(4) FOSSIL FUEL.—The term “fossil fuel” means coal, petroleum, natural gas, tar sands, oil shale, or any derivative of coal, petroleum, or natural gas.

(5) DISPLACED WORKER.—The term “displaced worker” means an individual who, due to efforts to reduce net emissions from public lands or as a result of a downturn in fossil fuel mining, extraction, or production, has suffered a reduction in employment or economic opportunities.

(6) FOSSIL FUEL TRANSITION COMMUNITIES.—The term “fossil fuel transition communities” means a community—

(A) that has been adversely affected economically by a recent reduction in fossil fuel mining, extraction, or production related activity, as demonstrated by employment data, per capita income, or other indicators of economic distress; or

(B) that has historically relied on fossil fuel mining, extraction, or production related activity for a substantial portion of its economy; and

(C) in which the economic contribution of fossil fuel mining, extraction or production related activity has significantly declined.

SEC. 25. Evaluation by Comptroller General of the United States.

Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of this Act, and biennially thereafter, the Comptroller General of the United States shall submit to the Committees on Energy and Commerce and Natural Resources of the House of Representatives, and the Committees on Environment and Public Works and Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate, a report that contains an evaluation of the effectiveness of each activity carried out under this Act.

359 Comments
  • User profile image

    BlackMillennials4Flint

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    TheWildernessSociety

    (2) OUTDOOR RECREATION LEGACY PARTNERSHIP GRANT PROGRAM.—The term “Outdoor Recreation Legacy Partnership Grant Program” means the program established under subsection (b).

    Commenting on behalf of The Wilderness Society:

    TWS supports the Outdoors for All Act and is pleased to see it included in the Environmental Justice for All Act. The Outdoors for All Act would expand outdoor recreation opportunities and support environmental justice communities across the country by establishing a dedicated source of funding for the Outdoor Recreation Legacy Partnership (ORLP) program. ORLP is a nationally competitive grant program for the creation and maintenance of outdoor recreation opportunities and parks, particularly in underserved communities. These grants help communities address outdoor recreation deficits by supporting projects that create new outdoor recreation spaces, reinvigorate existing parks, build resilient, green infrastructure systems, and help form connections between people and the outdoors. We appreciate Chair Grijalva and Representative McEachin for including the Outdoors for All Act in this monumental environmental justice legislation.

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    Constituent795138

    Farmworkers - the men, women and children whose work provides food for everyone in our country - are an environmental justice community that are not geographically specific, but that are subject to exposure to toxic agricultural chemicals, including harmful and dangerous pesticides and chemical fertilizers. Many of these chemicals have both acute and long-term, chronic health effects, including impacts that can affect children and their future offspring. The continued use of pesticides is ultimately harmful to all of our health and to the health of our environment, with farmworkers being on the frontlines of exposures. Not only should there be stronger occupational protections for farmworkers, who are a majority minority people of color community earning low wages for doing the vital work that supports our economy, but EPA and other governmental officials should ensure that farmworkers are including in decision-making on regulations that will ultimately impact their health. Most farmworkers do not have health insurance. Decisions around agricultural chemicals are often made by considering the benefits to crop yields, with farmworker health and safety often being an after-thought, if it is a thought at all. The approval by EPA of the use of antibiotics to be used as pesticides on citrus crops in Florida is a case in point. With serious anti-biotic resistance becoming an ever-increasing problem worldwide, what amount of consideration was given to the effects of occupational antibiotic exposure on a regular basis to the health of farmworkers. Furthermore, as low-wage earners, farmworkers cannot afford the luxury of buying organic food or environmentally safe cleaning products, personal hygiene products, etc. The voices of farmworkers must be included in this proposal to address environmental justice communities in our country.

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    TheWildernessSociety

    SEC. 11. Access to parks, outdoor spaces, and public recreation opportunities.

    Commenting on behalf of The Wilderness Society:

    Thank you for the opportunity to put forward comments on the discussion draft of the Environmental Justice for All Act. On behalf of our more than one million members and supporters, The Wilderness Society (TWS) applauds this monumental piece of legislation. We thank Chair Grijalva and Representative McEachin for their leadership in prioritizing environmental justice and civil rights legislation. As you revise the Environmental Justice for All Act, we hope that you take into consideration the improvement of diverse and inclusive representation in land management agencies and the public lands they manage, as well as equitable access to quality green spaces and parks for environmental justice communities. We recommend that the Chair Grijalva, Representative McEachin, and their respective staffs consider the following priorities as they develop an environmental justice package:

    Codify the Presidential Memorandum entitled Promoting Diversity and Inclusion in Our National Parks, National Forests, and Other Public Lands and Waters TWS agrees with and supports the detailed comments submitted by the Next 100 Coalition which calls for the 2017 Presidential Memorandum providing guidance to public lands management agencies to increase the representation of diverse and inclusive histories, cultures, knowledge, and people in our public lands system to be codified. The Presidential Memorandum outlines deliberation actions that public lands and water management agencies can take to increase the inclusion and diversity in their development, outreach, management, programming, and workforce practices. We highly recommend consultation with the Next 100 Coalition as leaders in this space to incorporate and codify the 2017 Presidential Memorandum on Promoting Diversity and Inclusion in Our National Parks, National Forests, and Other Public Lands and Waters in the Environmental Justice for All Act.

    Transit to Trails Act TWS supports prioritizing the inclusion of a federal Transit to Trails program in any legislative package as part of a commitment to improve equitable access to nature for all people. We ask that the Transit to Trails Act be included in the Environmental Justice for All Act to increase access to parks and outdoor recreation opportunities. The Transit to Trails Act, H.R. 4273, would fit well into Section 11 of the Environmental Justice for All Act given the focus on access to parks, outdoor spaces and public recreation opportunities. Transit to Trails aims to increase access to public lands and parks for underserved communities by reducing transportation barriers through a block-grant program under the Department of Transportation. Critically underserved communities disproportionately lack access to green space and outdoor recreation opportunities and transportation is one of the most significant barriers. In urban, rural and remote areas, accessing parks and open spaces is still a challenge. This bill can address the inequality and unfair disparities in access to public parks and outdoor areas, ensuring that regardless of income or zip code, all people can enjoy our natural resources.

    Additionally, through the matching grant program, Transit to Trails can leverage state and local funding for adding and maintaining transit routes between environmental justice communities in cities and rural areas and public lands. Because it is most often low-income communities and communities of color that disproportionately lack access to parks and public lands, this bill will help address both transportation deficits and inequalities in outdoor access, allowing more people to spend time in their public lands. For these reasons, please include the Transit to Trails Act in the Environmental Justice for All Act to increase access to parks, outdoor spaces, and public recreation opportunities.

    Every Kid Outdoors Act TWS supports the highly popular Every Kid Outdoors program and ask that any legislative package focused on increasing access to outdoor spaces and recreation remove the seven-year sunset provision, providing stability and security for the program’s future. The Every Kid Outdoors program gives fourth graders and their families a free pass to all public lands providing easier access to outdoor recreation. Millions of fourth graders have already taken advantage of their free passes to federal lands and waters since the program began, and strong financial support from private-public partnerships have ensured that youth from low-income schools and environmental justice communities have the transportation and resources they need to enjoy equitable access to the outdoors. In 2019, the program was authorized for seven years in the John D. Dingell, Jr. Conservation, Management, and Recreation Act, Public Law 116-9. However, the sunset provision threatens the long-term security of the program. We ask that the Environmental Justice for All Act remove the sunset provision of the Every Kid Outdoors program to ensure that kids have access to parks and outdoor recreation opportunities for generations to come well beyond the seven-year sunset.

    Health and Nature Access Study TWS recommends the establishment of an inter-agency “Health and Nature Access Study” between the Department of the Interior (DOI) and the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to research the impacts of access to and time spent in nature and community health. Every decade HHS, through the Center for Disease Control (CDC)’s Healthy People initiative, develops a new set of science-based, national objectives for improving the health of all people. While physical fitness is included in these recommendations there is a lack of information regarding the benefits of access to quality parks and open spaces where communities can recreate, nor do any of the recommendations focus on the health benefits of time spent in green spaces. The CDC had developed a Health Impact Assessment (HIA) tool to be used as a planning resource, which included recommendations for easily accessible parks and trails and explicitly links parks and outdoor recreation to public health. However, currently the agency has few resources to maintain and promote the tool, so it is not well known or utilized.

    Initial scientific research focused on the health impacts of time spent in nature have highlighted the positive impact of access to parks and open space can have on individuals and community health. However, more robust research is needed regarding the benefits of time in nature, outdoor recreation, and accessibility to parks and open spaces, particularly in environmental justice communities. A Health and Nature Access Study would provide further information on environmental justice communities, health impacts from lack of access to green spaces, and strategies on how to address park deficiencies, especially in communities with the greatest needs. Ultimately, these studies would help provide the CDC and DOI with baseline recommendations for incorporating access to nature and time spent in nature into the Healthy People initiative and recommendations.

    TWS is appreciative of Chair Grijalva and Representative McEachin’s leadership in prioritizing environmental justice as a legislative priority and look forward to continuing to work with the Congressmembers and their staff on this bold environmental justice legislation.

  • environmental remediation

    Related to remediation, important when considering economic context/just transitions to address inability or unwillingness of oil and gas companies/operators to meet asset retirement obligations, leaving orphan wells etc. (And bonding requirements that are insufficient to cover well plugging/abandonment costs, remediation costs etc.)

  • fossil fuel mining and extraction

    add refineries and petrochemicals?

  • SEC. 23. Revenues for just transition assistance.

    Overall very glad to see just transitions/related revenue in this legislation. Ultimately would like to see transition away from fossil fuels altogether, and wondering about additional avenues/sources for revenues not linked to fossil fuel royalties/development

  • 4) in section 17, by striking “Lease sales shall be held for each State where eligible lands are available at least quarterly and more frequently if the Secretary of the Interior determines such sales are necessary.”; and

    Quarterly (and more frequent) lease sales are indeed too frequent. Any concern re: having no intervals for lease sales specified at all though? Striking this provision doesn't necessarily prohibit quarterly or more frequent lease sales, correct?

  • (6) any other appropriate information as determined by the Administrator.

    Perhaps include resources on anti-racism, decolonization, understanding power and privilege, etc. as well

  • (d) Community-Based participatory research grant program.—

    Appreciate the inclusion of this overall. May consider requiring some kind of accountability mechanism built into applications or receipt of funds to reduce risk that researchers dash in, get their results, silo them in the academic community, and leave community groups feeling exploited and with no real benefits from the relationship. Accountability is a serious concern/issue I have heard community members express re some CBPR initiatives.

  • tailored to the needs

    perhaps replace "tailored to the needs" with "driven by the needs, opportunities, and priorities"

  • community-based organization

    very important the the organization be truly community-based (not just community-placed)

  • scoping phase

    Support this and addition of any other robust public participation requirements related to the NEPA process, especially in light of issues like BLM oil and gas lease sale protest periods being shortened to 10 days, specific delivery requirements that reduce participation, etc.

  • reduce or eliminate

    Agree that some threshold/standard/specific requirements re "reduction" could be helpful here

"Madison" is on open source collaborative drafting tool that was developed and maintained by the OpenGov Foundation until February 2019. The code was updated as a POPVOX LegiDash module in November 2019. The updated Madison code is available on GitHub.

Special thanks to: OpenGov Foundation founder, Seamus Kraft; US Riverside professor Kevin Esterling and his student, David Silva for contributions to updating the Madison codebase; Democracy Fund and all who contributed to Madison over the years.