88(3) HB 86 - Introduced version - Bill Text
 
 
  By:  Reynolds H.B.  No.  86
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to the establishment of the Texas Environmental Justice
  Advisory Council.
               BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
               SECTION  1.    The heading to Subtitle G, Title 5, Health and
  Safety Code, is amended to read as follows:
  SUBTITLE G. ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH AND JUSTICE
               SECTION  2.    Subtitle G, Title 5, Health and Safety Code, is
  amended by adding Chapter 428 to read as follows:
  CHAPTER 428. TEXAS ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE ADVISORY COUNCIL
               Sec.  428.0101.    DEFINITIONS. In this chapter:
                           (1)    "Commission" means the Texas Commission on
  Environmental Quality.
                           (2)    "Council" means the Texas Environmental Justice
  Advisory Council.
                           (3)    "Environmental justice" means the fair treatment
  of people of all races, cultures, and incomes in the development,
  adoption, implementation, and enforcement of environmental law and
  policy.
                           (4)    "Review board" means the Environmental Justice
  Review Board.
               Sec.  428.0102.    TEXAS ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE ADVISORY
  COUNCIL. The Texas Environmental Justice Advisory Council is
  established to advise state agencies and local governments on
  environmental justice issues.
               Sec.  428.0103.    MEMBERSHIP. (a) The council is composed of
  eight members appointed as follows:
                           (1)    one member appointed by the executive director of
  the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality;
                           (2)    one member appointed by the executive commissioner
  of the Health and Human Services Commission;
                           (3)    one member appointed by the attorney general;
                           (4)    one member appointed by the executive director of
  the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs;
                           (5)    one member appointed by the commissioner of
  agriculture;
                           (6)    one member appointed by the executive director of
  the Texas Department of Transportation;
                           (7)    one member appointed by the commissioner of
  education; and
                           (8)    one member appointed by the governor.
               (b)    Members of the council serve two-year terms.
               Sec.  428.0104.    ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE REVIEW BOARD. (a)
  The Environmental Justice Review Board is established. The review
  board is composed of 15 members appointed by the council as follows:
                           (1)    five members from grassroots or faith-based
  community organizations; and
                           (2)    10 members from public health, environmental, and
  civil rights organizations, academia, large and small businesses,
  local government officials, and organized labor.
               (b)    The review board shall meet at least four times a year
  and select a presiding officer from its membership.
               (c)    The review board shall advise the council about issues
  related to environmental justice and the action plans developed
  under Section 428.0107.
               Sec.  428.0105.    STATE PROGRAM REVIEW. (a) The council shall
  review each state agency and state program that serves to protect
  the environment to evaluate the agency's or program's positive and
  negative effects on environmental justice for affected people.
               (b)    Upon completing a review of a state agency or program
  under Subsection (a), the council shall prepare a report
  containing:
                           (1)    the council's findings from the review; and
                           (2)    legislative and policy recommendations to address
 

Statutes affected:
Introduced: ()