BILL NUMBER: SB 115	CHAPTERED
	BILL TEXT

	CHAPTER   690
	FILED WITH SECRETARY OF STATE   OCTOBER 10, 1999
	APPROVED BY GOVERNOR   OCTOBER 6, 1999
	PASSED THE SENATE   SEPTEMBER 10, 1999
	PASSED THE ASSEMBLY   SEPTEMBER 9, 1999
	AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY   SEPTEMBER 9, 1999
	AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY   SEPTEMBER 3, 1999
	AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY   JUNE 23, 1999
	AMENDED IN SENATE   APRIL 14, 1999
	AMENDED IN SENATE   APRIL 5, 1999
	AMENDED IN SENATE   MARCH 10, 1999

INTRODUCED BY   Senator Solis
   (Principal coauthor:  Assembly Member Romero)
   (Coauthors:  Senators Alarcon, Baca, Bowen, Chesbro, Hayden,
Ortiz, and Sher)
   (Coauthors:  Assembly Members Aroner, Firebaugh, Honda, Jackson,
Keeley, Knox, Strom-Martin, and Washington)

                        DECEMBER 17, 1998

   An act to add Section 65040.12 to the Government Code, and to add
Part 3 (commencing with Section 72000) to Division 34 of the Public
Resources Code, relating to environmental quality.


	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   SB 115, Solis.  Environmental justice.
   Under existing law, the Office of Planning and Research serves the
Governor and his or her Cabinet as staff for long-range planning and
research, and is the comprehensive state planning agency.  Existing
law, the California Environmental Quality Act, requires the office to
prepare, and the Secretary of Resources to certify and adopt,
guidelines for use in implementing the act.
   Existing law establishes the California Environmental Protection
Agency, which is responsible for enhancing the state's protection of
the environment.
   This bill would provide that the office is the coordinating agency
in state government for environmental justice programs.  The bill
would require the Director of Planning and Research to consult with
the secretaries of specified state agencies, and other parties to
coordinate the office's efforts and, share specified information with
certain federal agencies, and review and evaluate other federal
information, as provided.  The bill would define "environmental
justice" to mean the fair treatment of people of all races, cultures,
and incomes with respect to the development, adoption,
implementation, and enforcement of environmental laws and policies.
The bill would require the California Environmental Protection Agency
to take specified actions in designing its mission for programs,
policies, and standards within the agency, and to develop a model
environmental justice mission statement for boards, departments, and
offices within the agency, by January 1, 2001.


THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:


  SECTION 1.  Section 65040.12 is added to the Government Code, to
read:
   65040.12.  (a) The office shall be the coordinating agency in
state government for environmental justice programs.
   (b) The director shall do all of the following:
   (1) Consult with the Secretaries of the California Environmental
Protection Agency, the Resources Agency, the Trade and Commerce
Agency, the Business, Transportation, and Housing Agency, any other
appropriate state agencies, and all other interested members of the
public and private sectors in this state.
   (2) Coordinate the office's efforts and share information
regarding environmental justice programs with the Council on
Environmental Quality, the United States Environmental Protection
Agency, the General Accounting Office, the Office of Management and
Budget, and other federal agencies.
   (3) Review and evaluate any information from federal agencies that
is obtained as a result of their respective regulatory activities
under federal Executive Order 12898.
   (c) For the purposes of this section, "environmental justice"
means the fair treatment of people of all races, cultures, and
incomes with respect to the development, adoption, implementation,
and enforcement of environmental laws, regulations, and policies.
  SEC. 2.  Part 3 (commencing with Section 72000) is added to
Division 34 of the Public Resources Code, to read:

      PART 3.  ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE

   72000.  The California Environmental Protection Agency, in
designing its mission for programs, policies, and standards, shall do
all of the following:
   (a) Conduct its programs, policies, and activities that
substantially affect human health or the environment in a manner that
ensures the fair treatment of people of all races, cultures, and
income levels, including minority populations and low-income
populations of the state.
   (b) Promote enforcement of all health and environmental statutes
within its jurisdiction in a manner that ensures the fair treatment
of people of all races, cultures, and income levels, including
minority populations and low-income populations in the state.
   (c) Ensure greater public participation in the agency's
development, adoption, and implementation of environmental
regulations and policies.
   (d) Improve research and data collection for programs within the
agency relating to the health of, and environment of, people of all
races, cultures, and income levels, including minority populations
and low-income populations of the state.
   (e) Identify differential patterns of consumption of natural
resources among people of different socioeconomic classifications for
programs within the agency.
   72001.  On or before January 1, 2001, the California Environmental
Protection Agency shall develop a model environmental justice
mission statement for boards, departments, and offices within the
agency.  For purposes of this section, environmental justice has the
same meaning as defined in subdivision (c) of Section 65040.12 of the
Government Code.