BILL NUMBER: SB 1622	AMENDED
	BILL TEXT

	AMENDED IN SENATE   MAY 3, 2000
	AMENDED IN SENATE   APRIL 24, 2000

INTRODUCED BY   Senator Alarcon

                        FEBRUARY 22, 2000

   An  act to amend Section 72001 of, and to add Section
25539.5 to,  act to amend and renumber Sections 72000
and 72001 of, and to add Sections 25539.5 and 71102 to,  the
Public Resources Code, relating to environmental justice.


	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   SB 1622, as amended, Alarcon.  State Energy Resources Conservation
and Development Commission:  environmental justice.
   Existing law prohibits the construction of any facility or the
modification of any existing facility without first obtaining
certification for any such site and related facility by the State
Energy Resources Conservation and Development Commission.  Existing
law provides for a procedure to be followed in certifying a facility,
including holding a public hearing on the application, and preparing
a written decision after the public hearing.
   This bill would require the commission to adopt regulations to
ensure that when it certifies sites it is in conformity with  an
environmental mission statement the bill would require the commission
to adopt on or before January 1, 2001, and applicable  federal
guidance concerning environmental justice.  The bill would
also require the California Environmental Protection Agency, in
consultation with the Resources Agency and the commission, to develop
a model environmental justice mission statement for the commission.

   Vote:  majority.  Appropriation:  no.  Fiscal committee:  yes.
State-mandated local program:  no.


THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:


  SECTION 1.  Section 25539.5 is added to the Public Resources Code,
to read:
   25539.5.  On or before January 1, 2002, the commission shall adopt
regulations to ensure that the commission, when certifying sites and
related facilities pursuant to this chapter, is in conformity with
the  environmental justice mission statement developed and
adopted pursuant to Section 71102 and  applicable federal
guidance relating to environmental justice.
  SEC. 2.   Section 72000 of the Public Resources Code is amended
and renumbered to read:  
   72000.   
   71100.   The California Environmental Protection Agency, in
designing its mission for programs, policies, and standards, shall do
all of the following:
   (a) Conduct its programs, policies, and activities that
substantially affect human health or the environment in a manner that
ensures the fair treatment of people of all races, cultures, and
income levels, including minority populations and low-income
populations of the state.
   (b) Promote enforcement of all health and environmental statutes
within its jurisdiction in a manner that ensures the fair treatment
of people of all races, cultures, and income levels, including
minority populations and low-income populations in the state.
   (c) Ensure greater public participation in the agency's
development, adoption, and implementation of environmental
regulations and policies.
   (d) Improve research and data collection for programs within the
agency relating to the health of, and environment of, people of all
races, cultures, and income levels, including minority populations
and low-income populations of the state.
   (e) Identify differential patterns of consumption of natural
resources among people of different socioeconomic classifications for
programs within the agency.   
  SEC. 3.   Section 72001 of the Public Resources Code is
 amended to read:
   72001.  On or before January 1, 2001, the California Environmental
Protection Agency shall develop a model environmental justice
mission statement for boards, departments, and offices within the
agency, and, in consultation with the Resources Agency and the State
Energy Resources Conservation and Development Commission, for the
State Energy Resources Conservation and Development Commission.  For
purposes of this section, environmental justice has the same meaning
as defined in subdivision (c) of Section 65040.12 of the Government
Code.    amended and renumbered to read:  
   72001.   
   71101.   On or before January 1, 2001, the California
Environmental Protection Agency shall develop a model environmental
justice mission statement for boards, departments, and offices within
the agency.  For purposes of this section, environmental justice has
the same meaning as defined in subdivision (c) of Section 65040.12
of the Government Code.   
  SEC. 4.  Section 71102 is added to the Public Resources Code, to
read:
   71102.  On or before January 1, 2001, the State Energy Resources
Conservation and Development Commission, in consultation with the
Office of Planning and Research, shall develop and adopt an
environmental justice mission statement for the commission.  For
purposes of this section, environmental justice has the same meaning
as defined in subdivision (c) of Section 65040.12 of the Government
Code.