PARRIS N. GLENDENING, Governor

Ch. 741

WHEREAS, Brownfields redevelopment is a major part of efforts throughout the
nation to address issues of environmental justice; and

WHEREAS, Equal protection of all of our citizens, including those in affected
communities, may best be afforded by increasing the involvement of communities affected
by regulatory programs, policies, and permit actions in their development, taking into
account not only the physical health of the people and the environment, but also the
social, economic, and psychological health of the communities; now, therefore,

SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF
MARYLAND, That the Laws of Maryland read as follows:

Article 41 - Governor - Executive and Administrative Departments

18-313.

(A) (1) IN THIS SECTION THE FOLLOWING TERMS HAVE THE MEANINGS
INDICATED.

(2) "ACTIVITY" INCLUDES ADOPTION OF REGULATIONS, PERMIT
ISSUANCE, SITING ACTIVITIES, AND ENFORCEMENT ACTIONS.

(3) "ADVISORY COUNCIL" MEANS THE CITIZENS ADVISORY COUNCIL
ON ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE.

(4) "AFFECTED COMMUNITY" MEANS THE INDIVIDUALS WHO LIVE
WITHIN A COMMUNITY AND WHO ARE PEOPLE LIVING IN AN AREA AFFECTED BY
THE ACTIONS, ACTIVITIES, PROGRAMS, OR POLICIES OF A STATE UNIT, INCLUDING
PERMITTING DECISIONS, THAT HAVE AN IMPACT ON HUMAN HEALTH OR THE
ENVIRONMENT.

(5) "ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE" MEANS EQUAL PROTECTION FROM
ENVIRONMENTAL AND PUBLIC HEALTH HAZARDS FOR ALL PEOPLE REGARDLESS
OF RACE INCOME CULTURE, AND SOCIAL CLASS.

(B) THERE IS A CITIZENS AN ADVISORY COUNCIL ON ENVIRONMENTAL
JUSTICE

(C) THE ADVISORY COUNCIL CONSISTS OF THE FOLLOWING 19 15 MEMBERS:

(1) ONE MEMBER OF THE SENATE OF MARYLAND, APPOINTED BY THE
PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE;

(2) ONE MEMBER OF THE HOUSE OF DELEGATES, APPOINTED BY THE
SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE;

(3) THE ATTORNEY GENERAL OR THE DESIGNEE OF THE ATTORNEY

GENERAL;

(4) (3) THE SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND MENTAL HYGIENE, OR THE
SECRETARY'S DESIGNEE;

(5) (4) THE SECRETARY OF THE ENVIRONMENT, OR THE
SECRETARY'S DESIGNEE;

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