RENAME ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE TASK FORCE AS ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE COUNCIL – HB 4077-A

HB 4077 has two main sections, the first refers to the name change of the “Environmental Justice Task Force” to “Environmental Justice Council” and its establishment within the office of the Governor, including streamlining the new name within the statutory law.

The council will consist of 13 members appointed by the Governor, where eight members must have expertise in environmental justice as well as in at least one of the following categories: climate change, environmental laws, natural resources management, land use planning and development, sustainability, community organizing, civil rights and disability rights, environmental health, energy, agricultural operations and food systems, water planning and management or forest management. Four members will be nominated by commissions of vulnerable communities and the last member of the council will represent the youth, who must be at least 16 but no more than 24 years of age when appointed.

The Bill will develop an environmental justice mapping tool by September 15, 2025. The development of this mapping tool will be led by the Environmental Justice Council with staff support from the Department of Environmental Quality, and in collaboration with the Office of Enterprise Information Services, the Institute for Natural Resources, the Portland State University Population Research Center, and natural resource agencies with staff support from the department and the Oregon Health Authority. The mapping tool will assess environmental, health, and socioeconomic disparities.

The tool will layer together data such as air emissions, ozone level, and toxic hazards with health-related data and socioeconomic information such as linguistic isolation and income levels to help state agencies better understand the impacts of environmental disparities. Data from the mapping tool will be accessible to lawmakers, community organizations, and the public to assist in decision-making in environmental program development, implementation, and funding.