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Primary Sponsor

Last Action

Ref To Com On Rules, Calendar, and Operations of the House2025-04-03

Vote Breakdown

No floor votes recorded.

Plain Language Summary

This bill establishes a formal Environmental Justice State Policy in North Carolina requiring state agencies to consider how their decisions affect different communities' exposure to environmental burdens and access to environmental benefits. It creates an Environmental Justice Advisory Council and mandates that eight covered state agencies develop engagement plans, track spending on environmental projects, and report annually on how they are distributing environmental benefits fairly across communities.

Arguments in Favor

• •Supporters argue that research documents that communities of color and low-income communities in North Carolina experience higher exposure to pollution, lead, mold, and other environmental hazards, and this bill provides the framework and accountability mechanisms to address that disparity.
• •They point to similar policies adopted by other states and federal executive orders requiring that disadvantaged communities receive equitable shares of environmental benefits and have meaningful participation in decisions affecting their health and environment.

Arguments Against

• •Opponents may express concerns about the bill's implementation costs and administrative burden on state agencies, which would need to develop new plans, track spending, and report compliance.
• •Some may question whether the definitions of environmental justice communities are precise enough, worry about potential litigation risks under Title VI compliance requirements, or argue that existing environmental laws and regulations already address these concerns without creating new bureaucratic structures.