AZ HB2295

Requires the Department of Environmental Quality to adopt a list of burdened communities (census tracts in bottom 33% of state median household income) within 120 days and update periodically.

Prohibits the department from issuing permits for new facilities or expansions in burdened communities unless the applicant prepares an environmental impact report assessing cumulative impacts and public health effects.

Mandates permit applicants conduct a public hearing in the burdened community at least 30 days after submitting the report, with notice published in local newspapers at least 21 days prior and notice sent to the municipality and community representative.

Allows the department to deny a permit if approval would constitute an unreasonable risk to the health and environment of burdened community residents when combined with existing cumulative impacts, and requires waiting at least 60 days after the hearing before issuing a permit decision.

Applies to specified facilities including electric generating plants over 10 megawatts, incinerators, sewage treatment plants over 50 million gallons per day, landfills, and solid waste facilities exceeding 25 tons monthly volume.