Bill > HB859

This bill establishes the Texas Environmental Justice Advisory Council (TEJAC), a new state body designed to address environmental inequities across Texas. The council will consist of eight members appointed by various state agency heads, including representatives from environmental, health, transportation, and educational agencies. Alongside the council, an Environmental Justice Review Board with 15 members from diverse backgrounds like community organizations, public health groups, and businesses will be created to provide advice and input. The council's key responsibilities include reviewing state agencies and programs to evaluate their environmental justice impacts, preparing reports on environmental permits, and developing community action plans for areas experiencing disproportionate environmental health risks. Communities experiencing unfair treatment in environmental law or policy can petition the council to create specific action plans that outline steps to improve their environmental conditions, including examining resource allocation, regulatory approaches, and potential new environmental standards. The council must monitor the implementation of these plans and deliver reports to state leadership, with the goal of ensuring fair treatment of people across all races, cultures, and income levels in environmental policy development and enforcement. The bill mandates that the council be fully established by January 2026, with the first community action plan petitions to be accepted by June 2026.

Agriculture and Natural Resources

https://capitol.texas.gov/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=89R&Bill=HB859