The 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. It defines key terms such as "air quality facility supplemental environmental project," which refers to environmentally beneficial projects that alleged violators agree to undertake as part of a settlement, and "environmental justice community," which identifies areas facing disproportionate environmental burdens. The AQEM fund will receive civil and administrative fines collected under the act, and the funds will be allocated for increased air monitoring and community impact grants, with a focus on environmental justice communities.

The bill mandates that 20% of the AQEM fund be used for air monitoring and administration of a community impact grant program, while 80% will be directed towards grants for pollution mitigation, health impact assessments, and educational programs in affected communities. The Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy will oversee the fund and establish guidelines for grant allocation, developed in consultation with an advisory committee that includes public health experts and community representatives. Additionally, the department is tasked with identifying environmental justice communities through community engagement and will provide annual reports on grant usage and affected communities. The act will take effect 90 days after being enacted into law.

Statutes affected:
Senate Introduced Bill: 324.101, 324.90106