TX HB859

Establishes the Texas Environmental Justice Advisory Council, an 8-member body with appointees from TCEQ, Health and Human Services Commission, Attorney General, Department of Housing and Community Affairs, Department of Agriculture, Department of Transportation, Texas Education Agency, and the Governor

Creates a 15-member Environmental Justice Review Board appointed by the Council, including 5 members from grassroots or faith-based organizations and 10 from public health, environmental, civil rights organizations, academia, businesses, local government, and labor groups

Requires the Council to review state environmental agencies and programs for their effects on environmental justice and prepare reports with legislative and policy recommendations for the Governor, Lieutenant Governor, and Speaker of the House

Mandates biennial reports on facilities applying for TCEQ permits, evaluating environmental justice impacts and recommending compliance, enforcement, remediation, and siting strategies

Allows communities experiencing unfair environmental treatment to petition the Council for community action plans that specify deliverables, implementation timelines, and available resources, with implementation deadlines beginning January 1, 2026