SB 1277 Summary

• Establishes an environmental justice mapping task force within the Department of Health, chaired by the Environmental Council chairperson, with members from 10 state agencies plus additional members with specialized expertise.

• Task force must create an interactive, statewide tool to identify environmental justice communities based on cumulative impacts of indicators including demographics, public health metrics, pollution burdens, climate vulnerability, and access to services like drinking water, green space, and affordable energy.

• Task force shall establish an advisory council with at least half its members representing environmental justice communities and conduct comprehensive public engagement with strategies to overcome language, transportation, economic, and internet access barriers.

• Directs state departments and agencies to audit existing data related to public health, toxic chemicals, socioeconomic demographics, air quality, and water quality; task force must publish audit findings within 180 days and provide recommendations for improving data quality and transparency.

• Requires the task force to update the mapping tool annually and comprehensively review indicators and methodology every three years; establishes an environmental justice data repository accessible to regional, state, and local agencies.