HB4606 101ST GENERAL ASSEMBLY

LRB101 19060 CPF 68520 b

101ST GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2019 and 2020
HB4606

Introduced 2/5/2020, by Rep. Theresa Mah

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:

415 ILCS 5/40.4 new

Amends the Environmental Protection Act. Presents findings. Creates an environmental justice program to ensure enhanced public outreach procedures for permitting actions that affect areas of environmental justice concern. Requires the Environmental Protection Agency adopt rules within one year of the amendatory Act's effective date that implement the program and are consistent with the findings presented. Effective immediately.

FISCAL NOTE ACT MAY APPLY

A BILL FOR

AN ACT concerning safety.

Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois, represented in the General Assembly:

Section 5. The Environmental Protection Act is amended by adding Section 40.4 as follows:

(415 ILCS 5/40.4 new)

Sec. 40.4. Environmental justice program.

(a) The General Assembly finds that:

(1) People in Illinois should receive notice of and be provided an opportunity to comment on proposed permitting actions by the Agency.

(2) The Agency should facilitate public participation and access to information during permitting.

(3) The Agency should accept public comments during the permitting process.

(4) The Agency should give consideration to public comments in a manner consistent with the Agency's authority and the applicable State and federal laws and regulations concerning the protection of air, water, and land.

(b) An environmental justice program is created to ensure enhanced public outreach procedures for permitting actions that affect areas of environmental justice concern.

(c) Within one year of the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 101st General Assembly, the Agency shall adopt rules implementing subsection (b) that are consistent with the findings in subsection (a).

Section 99. Effective date. This Act takes effect upon becoming law.