Bill > S636

This bill aims to address environmental justice in the Commonwealth by establishing the Green Zones Act, which focuses on identifying and mitigating environmental burdens in communities disproportionately affected by environmental challenges. The legislation defines key terms such as "Environmental Justice Neighborhood" (areas with low income, high minority populations, or limited English proficiency) and "Green Zones" (specific areas within these neighborhoods with potential for environmental improvement). The bill requires the Secretary of Environmental Affairs to conduct comprehensive environmental audits of these neighborhoods, creating a working group of at least nine local residents to provide input. The audit will examine public health data, energy burden, transportation access, and other factors that contribute to environmental challenges. Once completed, the secretary must report findings to municipal officers and legislative committees, designate green zones, and potentially enter into intrastate compacts to support environmental sustainability and resilience. The bill specifically recognizes that Black, African American, Asian, Indigenous, Latino/Hispanic, and low-income populations have been disproportionately impacted by environmental burdens and seeks to provide meaningful actions to address these historical inequities. The act will take effect immediately upon passage, signaling an urgent approach to environmental justice.

Agriculture and Natural Resources

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/S636