Sec. 18. National Environmental Justice Advisory Council
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/bill/117/hr/2021/ih/section-18A research copy — for the controlling text, always check the official state or federal source. Not legal advice.
The President shall establish an advisory council, to be known as the National Environmental Justice Advisory Council . The Advisory Council shall be composed of 26 members who have knowledge of, or experience relating to, the effect of environmental conditions on communities of color, low-income communities, and Tribal and Indigenous communities, including— representatives of— community-based organizations that carry out initiatives relating to environmental justice, including grassroots organizations led by people of color;
State governments, Tribal Governments, and local governments; Indian Tribes and other Indigenous groups; nongovernmental and environmental organizations; and private sector organizations (including representatives of industries and businesses); and experts in the field of— socioeconomic analysis; health and environmental effects; exposure evaluation; environmental law and civil rights law; or environmental health science research. The Advisory Council may establish any subcommittee or workgroup to assist the Advisory Council in carrying out any duty of the Advisory Council described in subsection (d).
Upon the request of the Advisory Council, each subcommittee or workgroup established by the Advisory Council under paragraph
(1)shall submit to the Advisory Council a report that contains— a description of each recommendation of the subcommittee or workgroup; and any advice requested by the Advisory Council with respect to any duty of the Advisory Council. The Advisory Council shall provide independent advice and recommendations to the Environmental Protection Agency with respect to issues relating to environmental justice, including advice— to help develop, facilitate, and conduct reviews of the direction, criteria, scope, and adequacy of the scientific research and demonstration projects of the Environmental Protection Agency relating to environmental justice; to improve participation, cooperation, and communication with respect to such issues— within the Environmental Protection Agency; between the Environmental Protection Agency and other entities; and between, and among, the Environmental Protection Agency and Federal agencies, State and local governments, Indian Tribes, environmental justice leaders, interest groups, and the public; requested by the Administrator to help improve the response of the Environmental Protection Agency in securing environmental justice for communities of color, low-income communities, and Tribal and Indigenous communities; and on issues relating to— the developmental framework of the Environmental Protection Agency with respect to the integration by the Environmental Protection Agency of socioeconomic programs into the strategic planning, annual planning, and management accountability of the Environmental Protection Agency to achieve environmental justice results throughout the Environmental Protection Agency; the measurement and evaluation of the progress, quality, and adequacy of the Environmental Protection Agency in planning, developing, and implementing environmental justice strategies, projects, and programs; any existing and future information management systems, technologies, and data collection activities of the Environmental Protection Agency (including recommendations to conduct analyses that support and strengthen environmental justice programs in administrative and scientific areas); the administration of grant programs relating to environmental justice assistance; and education, training, and other outreach activities conducted by the Environmental Protection Agency relating to environmental justice. Subject to subparagraph (B), the Advisory Council shall meet biannually. The Administrator may require the Advisory Council to conduct additional meetings if the Administrator determines that the conduct of any additional meetings is necessary. Subject to subparagraph (B), each meeting of the Advisory Council shall be open to the public to provide the public an opportunity— to submit comments to the Advisory Council; and to appear before the Advisory Council. The Administrator may close any meeting, or portion of any meeting, of the Advisory Council to the public. The Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App.) shall apply to the Advisory Council. The Administrator may provide to any member of the Advisory Council travel expenses, including per diem in lieu of subsistence, at rates authorized for an employee of an agency under subchapter I of chapter 57 of title 5, United States Code, while away from the home or regular place of business of the member in the performance of the duties of the Advisory Council.