CA AB2108

Require the State Water Resources Control Board and regional boards to begin environmental justice outreach as early as possible in planning, policy, and permitting processes, with equitable, culturally relevant community engagement continuing throughout waste discharge proceedings.

Mandate hiring of environmental justice and tribal community coordinator positions (contingent on legislative appropriation) dedicated to promoting meaningful civic engagement and addressing water quality impacts disproportionately affecting disadvantaged and tribal communities.

Establish a community capacity-building stipend program (contingent on legislative appropriation) to help disadvantaged and tribal communities overcome barriers to participation in water board decision-making processes.

Require the State Water Resources Control Board and regional boards to make findings on environmental justice, tribal impact, and racial equity considerations when adopting water quality control plans, issuing waste discharge requirements, and issuing waivers of waste discharge requirements.

Define "disadvantaged community" as any community with median household income less than 80 percent of statewide median household income and authorize use of nonprofit organizations to administer environmental justice activities.