HF 2614

as introduced - 88th Legislature (2013 - 2014) Posted on 03/03/2014 02:59pm

A bill for an act
relating to environment; requiring development of an environmental justice
policy by the Pollution Control Agency; proposing coding for new law in
Minnesota Statutes, chapter 116B.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

Section 1. new text begin SHORT TITLE.
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new text begin This act shall be called the "Environmental Justice Act."
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Sec. 2.

new text begin [116B.14] DEFINITIONS.
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new text begin For purposes of sections 116B.14 and 116B.15, the following terms have the
meanings given:
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new text begin (1) "agency" means the Pollution Control Agency;
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new text begin (2) "commissioner" means the commissioner of the Pollution Control Agency; and
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new text begin (3) "environmental justice" means the fair treatment and meaningful involvement
of people of all races, cultures, and income levels in the development, adoption,
implementation, and enforcement of environmental laws and policies.
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Sec. 3.

new text begin [116B.15] ESTABLISHMENT AND IMPLEMENTATION OF
ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE POLICY.
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new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Environmental justice; policy development. new text end

new text begin (a) The state
is committed to ensuring that state agencies afford fair treatment and meaningful
involvement in environmental decision making to communities regardless of race, color,
ethnicity, religion, income, or education level of those communities.
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new text begin (b) By July 1, 2015, the agency shall adopt and begin to implement an environmental
justice policy that seeks fair treatment and meaningful involvement of all people,
regardless of race, color, ethnicity, religion, income, or education level.
new text end

new text begin (c) The policy shall, at a minimum:
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new text begin (1) identify procedures and steps the agency will take in permitting, environmental
review, rulemaking, compliance and enforcement, prevention, education and assistance,
environmental monitoring and analysis, watershed management, contaminated site
cleanup, and other activities to integrate environmental justice concerns into the agency's
decision making, including:
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new text begin (i) identifying and removing barriers to the meaningful involvement of all citizens in
communities with potential environmental justice concerns;
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new text begin (ii) incorporating demographic data and information regarding cumulative
environmental impacts in a specific geographic area; and
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new text begin (iii) minimizing the future exposure to environmental and human health hazards of
communities whose cumulative exposure to such hazards in the past raises environmental
justice concerns;
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new text begin (2) address the need to provide translators when necessary to facilitate meaningful
access and communication between the community and the agency;
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new text begin (3) develop procedures and tools, including but not limited to guidance, checklists,
best practices, and sample language, to better understand and address disproportionate
exposure to environmental and human health hazards and integrate the procedures and
tools into the agency's activities;
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new text begin (4) include plans to coordinate the agency's environmental justice efforts with those
of other state agencies and the federal Environmental Protection Agency;
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new text begin (5) consider how to develop measures to evaluate the effectiveness of the agency's
environmental justice policy; and
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new text begin (6) identify any additional resources or law changes needed to implement the policy.
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new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Stakeholder process. new text end

new text begin (a) The commissioner shall hold quarterly meetings
with interested parties to receive input and assistance in developing the environmental
justice policy required under this section.
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new text begin (b) Upon completion of the environmental justice policy, the commissioner shall
hold quarterly meetings with interested parties regarding the policy's implementation
and its impact on agency actions.
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Sec. 4. new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE.
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new text begin Sections 1 to 3 are effective the day following final enactment.
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