BILL NUMBER: SB 1622	AMENDED
	BILL TEXT

	AMENDED IN SENATE   MAY 23, 2000
	AMENDED IN SENATE   MAY 3, 2000
	AMENDED IN SENATE   APRIL 24, 2000

INTRODUCED BY   Senator Alarcon

                        FEBRUARY 22, 2000

   An 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 
on or before January 1, 2002,  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   July  1, 2001, and applicable federal
guidance concerning environmental justice.
   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:
   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 and
renumbered to read:
   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   July  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.