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Bill

A 2417

Requires applicants for major projects located near an environmental justice community to submit an enhanced public participation plan

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Chris Burdick and 24 co-sponsors

Bill A 2417 requires major project applicants near environmental justice communities to submit detailed public participation plans, ensuring community voices are heard.

REFERRED TO ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION
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Bill Summary · A 2417

Summary of Bill A 2417

Bill Information

  • Bill Number: A 2417
  • Title: Requires applicants for major projects located near an environmental justice community to submit an enhanced public participation plan
  • Status: Referred to Environmental Conservation
  • Introduced: January 16, 2025
  • Classification: Bill

Purpose and Intent

Bill A 2417 aims to enhance public participation in the decision-making process for major projects that are proposed near environmental justice communities. The intent is to ensure that the voices of communities disproportionately affected by environmental hazards are heard and considered during the planning and approval stages of significant developments.

Key Provisions

  • Enhanced Public Participation Plan:

    • Applicants for major projects must develop and submit a detailed public participation plan.
    • The plan should outline how the applicant intends to engage with the local community, particularly those in environmental justice areas.

  • Community Engagement Requirements:

    • The bill emphasizes the need for meaningful engagement with community members, including public meetings, informational sessions, and opportunities for feedback.
    • The plan must address potential environmental impacts and how the project may affect the community.

  • Review Process:

    • The submitted public participation plan will be reviewed by relevant authorities to ensure compliance with the requirements set forth in the bill.

Affected Parties

  • Environmental Justice Communities:

    • Communities that are often marginalized and face higher exposure to environmental hazards will be directly impacted by this bill. The enhanced participation process aims to empower these communities in the decision-making process.

  • Project Applicants:

    • Developers and organizations proposing major projects will need to allocate resources and time to create and implement the required public participation plans.

  • Regulatory Authorities:

    • State and local environmental agencies will be responsible for reviewing the public participation plans and ensuring that applicants meet the new requirements.

Procedural Aspects

  • Legislative Status:

    • As of January 16, 2025, the bill has been referred to the Environmental Conservation Committee for further consideration.

  • Related Legislation:

    • This bill is related to prior-session bills A 6530 and A 6584, as well as companion bill S 4513, which may address similar issues regarding environmental justice and public participation.

Conclusion

Bill A 2417 represents a significant step towards ensuring that environmental justice communities have a voice in major project developments that may affect their health and environment. By mandating enhanced public participation plans, the bill seeks to foster transparency and community involvement in the planning process.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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