This bill amends the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act by adding Section 5534, which establishes the Air Quality Enforcement and Mitigation Fund (AQEM fund) to support air quality improvement projects. The AQEM fund will receive all civil and administrative fines collected under the act, and funds spent on air quality facility supplemental environmental projects—agreed upon by alleged violators as part of enforcement settlements—will not be considered fines. The bill defines key terms such as "air quality facility supplemental environmental project" and "environmental justice community," and outlines the allocation of funds, with 20% designated for increased air monitoring and administration of a community impact grant program, and 80% for grants aimed at mitigating air pollution and assessing health impacts in affected communities.

Additionally, the bill mandates the establishment of an air quality community impact grant program to provide funding to various entities, including nonprofit organizations and local governments, for projects that address air quality issues. The Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy is tasked with developing guidelines for grant allocation and establishing a process to identify environmental justice communities through community engagement. An annual report detailing grant purposes and affected communities will be made publicly available. The bill is set to take effect 90 days after being enacted into law.

Statutes affected:
Senate Introduced Bill: 324.101, 324.90106