Bill > S720

This bill establishes an Office of Environmental Justice within the Department of Justice (DOJ) to address systemic environmental inequities affecting low-income, minority, Tribal, and Indigenous communities. The Office will be responsible for developing and updating a departmental environmental justice strategy every five years, coordinating environmental justice matters across DOJ and U.S. Attorneys' offices, and promoting meaningful public participation in environmental decision-making. It will also create a Senior Advisory Council composed of representatives from various DOJ components to provide guidance and track progress on environmental justice initiatives. Additionally, the bill establishes a competitive grant program to help state, local, and Tribal governments improve their capacity to enforce environmental laws in communities disproportionately impacted by environmental hazards. Grants can be used for staff training, hiring investigators and prosecutors, and creating collaborative programs to assist communities in participating in environmental decisions. The program is authorized $50 million annually from fiscal years 2026 to 2035, with individual grants ranging from $50,000 to $1 million and covering up to 80% of project costs. The bill defines environmental justice as ensuring all people, regardless of background, are protected from adverse environmental effects and have equitable access to a healthy, sustainable environment.

Justice

https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/senate-bill/720/all-info