Environment (Environmental Justice)

SB 874 requires environmental impact reports for new or expanded facilities seeking permits in "vulnerable communities" - defined as census areas with at least 50% low-income households (200% of federal poverty level) plus either 40%+ minority residents or 40%+ households with limited English proficiency. Permit applicants must assess cumulative pollution impacts, hold public hearings, and share reports with the public and local officials before permits are issued. The department must consider community input and may deny permits if combined pollution risks pose unreasonable health or environmental harm. This applies to facilities needing permits under environmental codes 283, 285, 289, or 291.

AB 877 requires environmental permits for facilities in defined "vulnerable communities" to include reports assessing combined pollution effects, health impacts, and unavoidable harms. It mandates public hearings with 30 days' notice and 21-day newspaper notices in the affected community before permits are issued. The department must deny permits if cumulative pollution from the facility creates an unreasonable health or environmental risk to the community, considering public feedback. This directly affects businesses seeking permits for facilities in census areas with high poverty rates (50%+ low-income households) plus significant minority populations or limited English proficiency.