• Policy Category: Environmental Justice
• State: California
• Date Implemented: 10/6/1999

10/6/1999 

Established the Office of Planning and Research as the coordinating agency in state government for EJ programs. The bill defined “environmental justice”, directed CalEPA to conduct its programs, policies, and activities as well as enforcement of health and environmental statutes to ensure the fair treatment of all people. Required CalEPA to develop a model environmental justice mission statement for boards, departments, and offices within the agency. Environmental justice defined as, “the fair treatment of people of all races, cultures, and incomes with respect to the development, adoption, implementation, and enforcement of environmental laws, regulations, and policies.” 

• Action Agency(ies): California Environmental Protection Agency (CalEPA) and Governor's Office of Planning and Research (ORP)
• Read the full policy language

Additional Resources

• California's Creation of an Environmental Justice Taskforce
• 2004 CalEPA Memorandum established the EJ Compliance and Enforcement Working Group