Bill Sponsor
Colorado House Bill 1338
Session 2024A
Cumulative Impacts & Environmental Justice
Became Law
Became Law
Signed by Governor on May 28, 2024
Sponsors
Democrat
Manny Rutinel
Democrat
Elizabeth Velasco
Democrat
Dafna Michaelson Jenet
First Action
Feb 26, 2024
Latest Action
May 28, 2024
Origin Chamber
House
Type
Bill
Bill Number
1338
State
Colorado
Session
2024A
Sponsorship by Party
Democrat
Primary
Democrat
Primary
Summary
The environmental justice action task force was created in the department of public health and environment (CDPHE) to develop recommendations for measures to achieve environmental justice in the state. The task force completed its work and published a final report on November 14, 2022, which report included a recommendation for the development of environmental equity and cumulative impact analyses (EECIA) in the state. The act creates the office of environmental justice (office) in CDPHE and requires the office to oversee a process to develop at least 2 EECIAs for specific geographic locations in the state. Once an EECIA is developed, various state agencies will be able to rely on the EECIA in conducting cumulative impact analyses regarding certain activities that may result in pollution. The office must choose as locations for the EECIAs communities that are disproportionately impacted communities, with priority given to communities that have a heightened potential for widespread human exposure to environmental contaminants. After selecting a location for an EECIA, CDPHE must contract with an academic institution or other third party to develop an EECIA. In developing an EECIA, the applicable contractor must perform a scientifically rigorous analysis that includes most of the recommendations made by the environmental justice action task force. Within 9 months after completing the first EECIA, CDPHE is required to prepare a report, which includes identifying any recommendations or resources needed for implementing the findings of the EECIA. CDPHE must submit the report to certain legislative committees. On or before January 1, 2025, the division of administration (division) in CDPHE is required to hire a petroleum refinery regulation expert to examine whether a rule establishing petroleum refinery control regulations should be adopted by the air quality control commission and examine other regulatory or nonregulatory measures performed. After January 1, 2025, a petroleum refinery in the state must comply with certain monitoring requirements to provide real-time emissions monitoring data to the division. The division is required to establish a rapid response inspection team to respond quickly to air quality complaints received. Once the team is established, the team must develop processes and best practices for quickly responding to such complaints, engage in outreach to communities regarding events and conditions that lead to excess air pollution emissions in those communities, and track and report on the division's website the number of complaints filed and the formal action, if any, taken on each complaint. $1,829,087 is appropriated from the general fund to CDPHE for implementation of the act. Of the amount appropriated: $310,449 is reappropriated to the department of law to provide legal services to CDPHE; and Up to $959,310, if not expended before July 1, 2025, is further appropriated to the division through the 2028-29 state fiscal year for implementation of the act. APPROVED by Governor May 28, 2024 EFFECTIVE May 28, 2024(Note: This summary applies to this bill as enacted.)
Actions (15)
05/28/2024
Office of the Governor
Governor Signed
05/15/2024
Office of the Governor
Sent to the Governor
05/15/2024
Senate
Signed by the President of the Senate
05/15/2024
House
Signed by the Speaker of the House
05/08/2024
Senate
Senate Third Reading Passed - No Amendments
05/07/2024
Senate
Senate Second Reading Special Order - Passed - No Amendments
05/06/2024
Senate
Senate Second Reading Special Order - Laid Over to 05/07/2024 - No Amendments
05/06/2024
Senate
Senate Committee on Appropriations Refer Unamended to Senate Committee of the Whole
04/24/2024
Senate
Senate Committee on Transportation & Energy Refer Unamended to Appropriations
04/23/2024
Senate
Introduced In Senate - Assigned to Transportation & Energy
04/22/2024
House
House Third Reading Passed - No Amendments
04/20/2024
House
House Second Reading Special Order - Passed with Amendments - Committee, Floor
04/19/2024
House
House Committee on Appropriations Refer Amended to House Committee of the Whole
03/21/2024
House
House Committee on Energy & Environment Refer Amended to Appropriations
02/26/2024
House
Introduced In House - Assigned to Energy & Environment
Sources
Record Created
Feb 27, 2024 9:19:44 PM
Record Updated
Jun 26, 2024 3:34:47 AM