Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to concur with the governor's recommendations and pass a bill that establishes the Virginia Council on Environmental Justice.

Highlights:

• Establishes the Virginia Council on Environmental Justice as an advisory council for the governor to provide recommendations that maintain a foundation of environmental justice principles intended to protect vulnerable communities from disproportionate impacts of pollution (Sec. 1).

• Requires the Council to have the following powers and duties (Sec. 1):

• Advise and perform recommendations to the governor regarding the development of policies and procedures, focusing on equality and equity, to ensure that environmental justice issues are heard and addressed as the state evolves, as impacts of climate change increase, and as new environmental justice issues emerge; 

• Submit an annual report to the governor and general assembly for publication as a report document; and 

• Apply for, accept, and expend gifts, grants, or donations from public, quasi-public, or private sources, including any matching funds designated in an appropriation bill, to enable it to better carry out its objectives.

• Requires the Council to provide advice and recommendations to the governor and their cabinet on (Sec. 1):

• Integrating environmental justice considerations throughout the state’s programs, regulations, policies, and procedures; 

• Strengthening partnerships on environmental justice among governmental agencies; 

• Incorporating potential solutions to environmental justice issues related to stakeholder communication, local governments, climate change and resilience, transportation, clean energy, outdoor access, and cultural preservation;

• Enhancing research and assessment approaches related to environmental justice and identifying potential risks or disproportionate public health impacts related to environmental pollution, particularly those that threaten low-income and historically underserved communities; 

• Receiving comments, concerns, and recommendations from individuals throughout the state; and

• Recommending statutory, regulatory, or excessive action, or relevant improvements or additions, for consideration to better address environmental justice issues.

Full Bill Text

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to concur with the governor's recommendations and pass a bill that establishes the Virginia Council on Environmental Justice.

Highlights:

• Establishes the Virginia Council on Environmental Justice as an advisory council for the governor to provide recommendations that maintain a foundation of environmental justice principles intended to protect vulnerable communities from disproportionate impacts of pollution (Sec. 1).

• Requires the Council to have the following powers and duties (Sec. 1):

• Advise and perform recommendations to the governor regarding the development of policies and procedures, focusing on equality and equity, to ensure that environmental justice issues are heard and addressed as the state evolves, as impacts of climate change increase, and as new environmental justice issues emerge; 

• Submit an annual report to the governor and general assembly for publication as a report document; and 

• Apply for, accept, and expend gifts, grants, or donations from public, quasi-public, or private sources, including any matching funds designated in an appropriation bill, to enable it to better carry out its objectives.

• Requires the Council to provide advice and recommendations to the governor and their cabinet on (Sec. 1):

• Integrating environmental justice considerations throughout the state’s programs, regulations, policies, and procedures; 

• Strengthening partnerships on environmental justice among governmental agencies; 

• Incorporating potential solutions to environmental justice issues related to stakeholder communication, local governments, climate change and resilience, transportation, clean energy, outdoor access, and cultural preservation;

• Enhancing research and assessment approaches related to environmental justice and identifying potential risks or disproportionate public health impacts related to environmental pollution, particularly those that threaten low-income and historically underserved communities; 

• Receiving comments, concerns, and recommendations from individuals throughout the state; and

• Recommending statutory, regulatory, or excessive action, or relevant improvements or additions, for consideration to better address environmental justice issues.

Full Bill Text

Signed by Governor Ralph Northam