River Network’s State Policy Hub

"Each person has the right to a healthful environment. Each person may enforce this right against any party, governmental or private, through appropriate legal proceedings subject to reasonable limitation and regulation as the General Assembly may provide by law."

The constitutional amendment states that, "people have a right to clean air, pure water, and to the preservation of the natural, scenic, historic and esthetic values of the environment."

Environmental rights section of constitution states that people have the right to clean air and water, among other environmental protections.

“The state and each person shall maintain and improve a clean and healthful environment in Montana for present and future generations.
(2) The legislature shall provide for the administration and enforcement of this duty.
(3) The legislature shall provide adequate remedies for the protection of the environmental life support system from degradation and provide adequate remedies to prevent unreasonable depletion and degradation of natural resources.”

"Each person has the right to a clean and healthful environment, as defined by laws relating to environmental quality, including control of pollution and conservation, protection and enhancement of natural resources. Any person may enforce this right against any party..."

The Department's internal policy developed in 1993 is the foundation of EJ action of the state. They have an EJ Complaint Investigator who investigates complaints related to EJ, and enforcement officers.

Established a 12-member Environmental Justice Advisory Board from Aug 1997-July 1999, composed of "minority and low income communities, environmental interests, and the geographically diverse areas of Oregon." Natural resource and environmental agencies were to report to the Board and Governor on their efforts to implement recommendation of a prior Environmental Equity Task Force Report on an annual basis.

Established CalEPA as coordinating agency in state government for EJ programs. The bill defines "environmental justice", required CalEPA to develop a model environmental justice mission statement for boards, departments, and offices within the agency.

Created county 2020 water management planning councils, who made long term water supply plans. Funding required to assist in making potable water available to all Kentuckians by 2020. KIA established an incentive program that allocates funds from the 2020 water service account to encourage the regionalization, merger, and
consolidation of water systems and elimination of structural and administrative duplication.

Outlined requirement for Office of Planning and Research to provide guidelines to address EJ matters in city and county general plans.

Permits utility service rates to be reduced for low-income senior citizens and other low income citizens, and gives the authority of defining those groups by the governing body of the county, city, town, public utility district or other municipal corporation.

Established an Environmental Justice Small Grant Program at CalEPA. Original max amount $20,000. In 2021, max amount $50,000/grant.

Created an advisory multi-agency Environmental Justice Task Force spearheaded by DEP and DHSS. Allowed communities to file petitions related to environmental health risks, develop Action Plans with selected communities to reduce environmental burdens.

Created the Clean Water Fund, which comes from the sales tax revenue of the Legacy amendment. The fund will help maintain water quality, improve waters that are impaired, and restore degraded groundwater. Distribution of funds include grants, loans, and technical assistance. Project priorities will be identified by a Clean Water Council

Established an Environmental Justice Task Force of 12 members appointed by the Governor, to submit annual reports on achieving goals set forth in the Act. Tasked with identifying environmental justice communities in cooperation with natural resource agencies, defining "environmental justice." Natural resource agencies must increase public participation and create citizen advocate positions. Natural resource agencies report annually to the EJ Task Force and Governor detailing how they address EJ issues, increase public participation, and determine the effect of their decisions on traditionally underrepresented communities.

Defines "Environmental Justice Community", "Affecting facility", "Meaningful public participation", "Community environmental benefit agreement", provides overview of mitigation actions in a community environmental benefit agreement, limits the size of disposal or storage of asbestos-containing material.

Extended the Environmental Justice Advisory Council, directed executive branch departments, agencies, boards, commissions, and any and all other bodies of the State’s Executive branch to provide “appropriate opportunities for all persons, regardless of race, ethnicity, color, religion, income, or education level to participate in decision-making." Programs should be reviewed to "(a) meet the needs of persons living in low-income communities and communities of color; and (b) address disproportionate exposure to environmental hazards.”

Updated the Water Code of California, asserting that every human has a right to clean, safe, affordable, and accessible water.

CalEPA was given the responsibility to identify disadvantaged communities to target California Climate Investments program funding to those communities (25%).

Created the State Water Infrastructure Authority to develop a state water infrastructure master plan and award funding for water and wastewater infrastructure projects.

Defined "affordability" in statute to prioritize communities based on factors such as poverty rate, population change. Established merger/regionalization feasibility grants for consolidation of water or wastewater systems.

Authorized the State Water Resources Control Board to incentivize and mandate consolidation of failing water systems.

Required the Water Quality Control Board to develop a Low-Income Water Rate Assistance Program plan by 2018.

Authorized the County Board of Supervisors to establish water improvement programs that may be funded through private gifts or grants to help low-income and fixed income residents deepen existing drinking water wells or improve plumbing.

"Establishes sampling, corrosion control, and individual tap action levels, more stringent public notification deadlines, higher administrative enforcement penalties, requirements for identifying
and mapping lead infrastructure in public water systems, and financial assistance for communities and schools with lead in drinking water concerns."

Created the Alaska Water and Sewer Advisory Committee in the legislative branch to develop a report related to safe and sustainable water and sewer systems to all rural areas of the state.

Requires school districts and boards of cooperative educational services to conduct periodic testing to monitor for lead contamination in certain school buildings; provides additional aid to such districts and boards for the costs incurred due to the testing of potable water sources and systems containing an unacceptable amount of lead.

The Open and Transparent Water Data Act, or Assembly Bill 1755, requires that the Department of Water Resources (DWR) “in consultation with the California Water Quality Monitoring Council, the state board, and the Department of Fish and Wildlife, in accordance with a specified schedule, to create, operate, and maintain a statewide integrated water data platform that, among other things, would integrate existing water and ecological data information from multiple databases and provide data on completed water transfers and exchanges.”

Made EJ a mandatory element or topic that must be addressed in jurisdictions with disadvantaged communities in their General Plans.

Gave authority to the state board to extend water service to areas that lack safe drinking water as an interim extension of service prior to consolidation.

SWIA created the plan for owners and operators of water and wastewater utilities and systems that serve the public, focused on organizational, infrastructure, and financial management.  

Amended the Illinois Municipal Code to establish a lead hazard cost recovery fee to water customers that utilities are allowed to impose to cover costs for lead remediation. Also requires testing for lead in schools and notification sent to parents if over 5 ppb. Requires the owners
and operators of community water systems to create a comprehensive lead service line inventory.

Expanded grant eligibility to help small public water systems in need of water quality upgrades and infrastructure repairs.

Established a grant program to test for lead in drinking water in public schools, with primary focus on elementary schools.

Established requirements to improve safety, reliability, and administrative oversight of water infrastructure, such as routine maintenance of pumps, motors, and pipes by public water system managers.

Clarifies the ability to financially assist and replace consumer-owned portions of lead service line replacement by water utilities.

Directed DEP to develop guidances for all Executive branch departments and agencies to consider EJ.

Lead action level will change from 15 to 12 parts per billion in 2025. Improved the sampling protocol for lead and copper tap sampling, and created a timeline for comprehensive, updated inventories of service lines and distribution system components. Prohibits partial lead service line replacements and requires all LSLs to be replaced within 20 years.

This legislation does not apply directly to drinking water, but instead focuses on sources of PFAS, including firefighting foam and firefighting personal protection equipment. Starting in 2020, the manufacturing or sale of PFAS-based firefighting foams is prohibited in the state.

Outlines the Water Planning Council’s ability to implement the State Water Plan to manage water resources, identifies water as a public trust.

Protects against foreclosures by private water companies of certain populations due to past due sewer fees and lowers the interest rate charged on delinquent assessments.

Regulates groundwater pollution caused by polluting emissions in the air and relative to standards for perfluorochemicals in drinking water, ambient groundwater, and surface water. Authorizes the Department to set maximum contaminant limits for perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), perfluoroctanesulfonic acid (PFOS), perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA), and perfluorohexanesulfonic acid (PFHxS).

Improved transparency in the process and timeline of informing customers of delinquent water bills and possibility of shutoffs, and blocks shutoffs from occurring if customers demonstrate that they are financially unable to pay or have a health condition that would be worsened by lack of water.

Updated state Lead and Copper Rule.

Established the MPART as a permanent body to address the threat of PFAS contamination in Michigan, protect public health, and facilitate inter-agency coordination, and clear standards to ensure accountability.

Provided 5 million dollars to test for and remediate lead exposure in childcare centers.

Directed applicable agencies to develop a Water Resilience Portfolio for the 21st century.

Limits the collector of the city of Baltimore from putting a lien on a place of worship or residential property if the only debt owed is from water and sewer charges,

Sets maximum contaminant levels for PFAS in water to 20 ppb and requires landfills to treat leachate for PFAS.

The Water Data Act (NMSA 1978, § 72-4B) marks the first time in New Mexico’s history that a law has been enacted to identify and integrate key water data. Several agencies convened by the New Mexico Bureau of Geology and Mineral Resources (NMBGMR) are working toward developing an integrated Water Data Service for New Mexico. Multiple working groups have been convened, working to ensure that the data and useful information about the data is findable, accessible, interoperable, and usable for those seeking water information for decision making related to water management and planning. The initial data platform can be found at newmexicowaterdata.org as a first data inventory step for this multi-year project."

The Climate Leadership & Community Protection Act outlines New York state's goal to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from all anthropogenic sources 100% over 1990 levels by 2050, with 40% reduction by 2030. Among many other actions, it created a Climate Action Council which is responsible for convening advisory panels to create a scoping plan for the state to follow in order to reach GHG reduction goals, integrate just transition and workforce development and training planning, and make regulatory recommendations.

H2Ohio: A data-driven water quality plan to reduce harmful algal blooms, improve wastewater infrastructure, and prevent lead contamination.

H2Ohio was first funded by the Ohio General Assembly with an investment of $172 million in the 2020-2021 biennium.

Established the Safe and Affordable Drinking Water Fund. Provides up to $130 million for the next 10 years to help water systems provide safe and affordable drinking water.

This legislation does not apply directly to drinking water, but instead creates a process for the Department of Ecology to identify chemicals of concern, as well as consumer products that contain chemicals of concern, to determine regulatory actions. The initial list includes PFAS.

This Act created a program with funding specifically focused on training marginalized/disadvantaged residents to enable them to contribute to clean water infrastructure projects in the state.

Amended definition of "environmental justice" as "the fair treatment and meaningful involvement of people of all races, cultures, incomes, and national origins, with respect to the location of public facilities and the provision of public services, to ensure a healthy environment for all people such that the effects of pollution are not disproportionately borne by any particular populations or communities."

Requires the State Water Resources Control Board to inform the public of consolidation processes (physical or operational). Disadvantaged communities who rely on failing domestic wells can petition for consolidation to the state board. The bill provides clear timelines for the consolidation process.

Oregon's 100 year water vision "goals reflect the needs we have for water, our principles guide how people can work together to achieve a secure, safe and resilient water future for all who live here."

Amended the environmental conservation law to establish a permanent environmental justice advisory group and an environmental justice interagency coordinating council. Requires all state agencies that have a significant effect on the environment to adopt an environmental justice policy based on a model policy developed by advisory group. Each state agency must appoint a staff member as an environmental justice coordinator to serve as a liaison to the EJ advisory council and to communicate with the public.

Directs the State Board of Health to adopt regulations establishing maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) in public drinking water systems for (i) perfluorooctanoic acid, perfluorooctane sulfonate, and for such other perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances as the Board deems necessary... requires such MCLs to be protective of public health, including the health of vulnerable subpopulations, and to be no higher than any MCL or health advisory adopted by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for the same contaminant. 

Set an MCL of 14 ppt for PFOA and 13 ppt for PFOS in drinking water. The MCLs apply to public community and public noncommunity water systems. Sections 1 and 2 took effect 9/8/2018.
Remainder took effect 7/10/2018. Rules implemented 6/1/2020

$500,000.00 in FY 2021 for engineering and construction grants to improve public water systems to reimburse schools that operate public water systems with confirmed concentrations of PFAS exceeding 20 nanograms per liter and on a do-not-drink notice for their costs for providing bottled or bulk water

Created a general permit for wetlands and ephemeral streams no longer covered by the federal Navigable Waters Protection Rule (NWPR).

Created a funding mechanism through charging per truckload of fuel products within the state to address PFAS contamination through a grant program, takeback program, and providing technical assistance.

Bans the use of class B firefighting foams that contain PFAS in come aircraft hangars, requires the Solid and Hazardous Waste Commission to promulgate rules to register facilities that use and store PFAS.

Developed in response to Executive Order N-10-19. Goals and actions are organized in four categories:
1. Maintain and diversify water supplies,
2. Protect and enhance natural ecosystems,
3. Build connections by improving physical infrastructure to store, move, and share water,
4. Regional preparation for new threats, including flashier floods, deeper droughts, and hotter temperatures.

Established "Viable Utility Reserve" to provide grants to struggling local governments to improve water system infrastructure. Created a process for merger and dissolution of water and wastewater systems.

Adopted a ruleset limiting seven PFAS chemicals in drinking water and are more stringent than current US EPA guidance on the chemicals.

Sets the maximum contaminant levels for certain perfluorochemicals in drinking water, establishes a PFAS fund and programs and makes an appropriation requiring insurance coverage for PFAS and PFC blood tests, and expands the statute governing ambient groundwater quality standards. Sections 12 and 14 took effect January 1, 2021, Sections 9, 10, 11 and 13 took effect September 21, 2020. Remainder took effect July 23, 2020)

In 2020, the state adopted new drinking water standards addressing PFOA, PFOS, and 1,4 Dioxane, implementing maximum contamination levels of 10 ppb (1 ppb for Dioxane) and public water systems must monitor, report, and address contamination to reduce exposure.

Defines overburdened community, requires an environmental justice impact statement for permit applicants in overburdened communities, requiring public hearings, and considers cumulative impacts when approving/denying a permit.

The plan includes $500 million investment in the state's water infrastructure, including different types of grants.

Clarified that wetlands which had been removed from Waters of the United States (WOTUS) protection were still subject to 401 permitting under DOEE regulations.

Increased the lending capacity of the Clean Water and Drinking Water revolving funds, providing funding for safe drinking water infrastructure upgrades and repairs as well as flood control and pollution protection.

Updates section 22a-20a of the Connecticut General Statutes. "Environmental justice community," "affecting facility," "meaningful public participation" defined the same as prior law, expands definition of "Community environmental benefit agreement" (including mitigating impacts to watercourses), details how to engage with neighborhood and environmental groups. Facilities seeking new or expanded permits must enter into community environmental benefit agreement in locations that have 5 or more affecting facilities.

Clarified that Oregon still intended to enforce its waters of the state jurisdiction, notwithstanding changes to WOTUS.

Establishes that access to clean, potable water in amounts that will ensure an acceptable standard of living is a necessary human right.

Requires public water systems to provide notice of elevated lead levels in drinking water to customers and local officials; requires landlords to notify tenants of elevated lead levels.

Implements the recommendations of the Environmental Justice Task Force established in 2019. Defines cumulative environmental health impact, environmental benefits, environmental harm, environmental justice. Implementation timeline varies.

Not strictly jurisdictional, but expanded protections under the state's 401 program by ensuring that 401 certification could only be issued in circumstances where there is "no practicable alternative that would have a less adverse impact on wetlands and waters of the state." The bill requires that the State conduct a cumulative impacts analysis of the water quality impacts on waters and wetlands of an activity subject to the CWA section 401 certification.

Outlines agencies' obligations to provide funding to create community engagement opportunities related to water projects to include disproportionately impacted communities in decisions related to identification, scoping, design, and implementation of water projects.

This Resolution extended the reach of SB 420 to ALL state agencies to consider EJ when implementing their statutory and regulatory responsibilities and to consult with the EJ Task Force. It also outlines the "right of all people to clean air, safe and affordable drinking water and protection from climate hazards..."

Requires water systems to monitor for PFAS contaminants, if found at 20 nanograms per liter, quarterly monitoring is required until mitigated. The DHHS will require water systems to inform the public and develop mitigation measures. On or before June 1, 2024, the department shall file a final rule with the Secretary of State regarding the regulation of regulated PFAS contaminants, establishing Maximum Contaminant Levels. Interim MCL of 20 parts per trillion went into effect.

Provided a definition for "Ordinary High Water Mark," a previously undefined term that set the boundaries for coastal wetlands. Not an "expansion" of jurisdiction per se, but admirable step to ensure jurisdictional determinations have a scientific basis.

Prohibits the use of class B firefighting foam that contains an intentionally added perfluoroalkyl or polyfluoroalkyl substance.

Established the first state-wide ban on the sale of products containing intentionally added PFAS, which goes into effect in 2030. An earlier deadline of 2023 will curb the use of PFAS in textiles.

Amends the Delaware code to designate a Delaware Clean Water Trust account to ensure the greatest environmental return on investment through the management and coordination of financial resources available to the State for drinking water, wastewater, drainage, stormwater, and other eligible clean water projects.

Established a greenhouse gas emissions cap-and-invest program, targets overburdened communities to reduce pollution, reiterates the goals and EJ framework of SB 5141. Increased air quality monitoring. Dedicated 35-40% of funds to "direct and meaningful benefits to vulnerable populations." Program begins 1/1/2023

Established a low-income water and sewer assistance payment program, prioritizing low-income households with the highest water burden, as well as those over 60, with additional priority to households with children and people with disabilities. The Act created the Water and Sewer Low-income Assistance Fund in the State Treasury, primarily funded through a charge imposed on customers by participating water and sewer providers.

The Act bans partial lead service line replacement, creates a timeline for when all lead service lines will be replaced by, develops a progressive fund to allocate money for infrastructure projects. Funding will come from billed water usage based on census tract median household income, prioritizing the removal of LSLs in low-income communities where LSLs are most prevalent.

This act details how consolidation of water services may be required for communities to ensure that disadvantaged communities have access to an adequate supply of safe drinking water after voluntary measures have been attempted. Public participation and engagement is also detailed in the bill language.

Required establishment of wetland buffers and setbacks, phased out local rules which would conflict with new state regulations. The rulemaking was influenced by the findings and recommendations of a Legislative Task Force (LTF) previously established by the Regulatory Reform Act.

Like the Ohio rule, this rule filled a gap in permitting. NWPR left a category of wetlands in NC under the state's jurisdiction, but without state or federal permitting requirements. This rulemaking established permits for these wetlands.

Changed the name of the Oregon Environmental Justice Task Force to the Environmental Justice Council, defined key terms, including "environmental justice," "environmental burden," "equity analysis," and "environmental justice community." Allocated funding and resources to create a statewide EJ Mapping Tool by 2025.

Passed Senate and House in April 2022, goes into effect on 10/1/2022. Requires applicants for certain permits from the Department of the Environment to include an EJ Score as part of the application using the Maryland EJ tool and may require notices regarding permit applications. The score is calculated with indicators of pollution burden exposure, pollution burden environmental effects, sensitive populations, and socioeconomic factors.

This bill restricts the sale of PFAS in a long list of consumer products, requires labeling of products containing PFAS, and restricts the sale of fluids used in the extraction of oil and gas products starting in 2024.

This legislation requires the Board of Public Utilities (BPU) to collect data on consumers' ability to afford utility bills, including water and sewer bills, and the extent of water shutoffs due to non-payment. Utilities (both private and publicly owned) must share monthly data on rates, the number of customer disconnection notes sent due to bill non-payment, service disconnections due to bill non-payment, service reconnections of customers disconnected for bill non-payment, average time between service disconnection due to non-payment and service reconnection, and a number of other reporting requirements.

This act amends California's Water Code, directing the State Water Resources Control Board and each regional board to conduct outreach to identify issues of environmental justice as early as possible in planning, policy, and permitting processes. The boards must "engage in equitable, culturally relevant community outreach to promote meaningful civic engagement from potentially impacted communities of proposed discharges of waste that may have disproportionate impacts on water quality in disadvantaged communities or tribal communities and ensure that outreach and engagement shall continue throughout the waste discharge planning, policy, and permitting processes." Pending funding, coordinators from environmental justice and tribal communities will be hired to support this work, and the State Board will establish a community capacity-building stipend program to increase meaningful civic engagement by disadvantaged communities and tribal communities.

This law became the second in the nation (along with New Jersey) to require state agencies that issue permits for polluting facilities to consider the cumulative impacts on "disadvantaged communities" and to prepare an existing burden report. "No permit shall be approved or renewed by the department if it may cause or contribute to, either directly or indirectly, a disproportionate or inequitable pollution burden on a disadvantaged community." The state had previously defined "disadvantaged communities" in the environmental conservation law as "communities that bear burdens of negative public health effects, environmental pollution, impacts of climate change, and possess certain socioeconomic criteria, or comprise high-concentrations of low- and moderate- income households."

Requires preschools and child care facilities to test for the presence of lead in drinking water and remediate the contamination if it equals or exceeds the action level of 15ppb.

The New York state constitution has what is known as a “Green Amendment.” In Article 1, Section 19, it states “Each person shall have a right to clean air and water, and a healthful environment.” It was added by vote of the people in November, 2022.

Created a requirement for child care centers, family child care homes, and PK-5th grade public schools to test for lead in their drinking water sources. Results and any remediation plans must have been made publicly available online.

Created a funded grant program to replace lead service lines in Minnesota, with the goal of replacing all lead service lines in the state by 2033 and to ensure that lead service line inventory data is accessible to the public.

Workforce development:
Grant applicants who serve 15,000 service connections or more "must submit a workforce plan as part of their application. The workforce plan must include a description of how the applicant will maximize the use of registered apprentices, along with populations under-represented in the construction industry in the lead removal and replacement work."

Directs schools to create drinking water management plans with filtered water stations, along with annual testing for lead contamination in those drinking water outlets. Creates a clean drinking water fund to support schools with the implementation of the program.

Provides additional standards for child care centers to mitigate exposure to lead contamination in drinking water. The act includes what assistance and trainings will be available from the MI Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs and the Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy.

Requires child care centers to create and maintain drinking water management plans that include filtered water outlets to mitigate exposure to lead in drinking water. Testing of filtered water must occur at least every 2 years.

Amends the law to require public water systems in exceedance of interim drinking water standards for PFAS to enter into a consent agreement with the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management.

Authorizes the establishment of maximum contaminate levels of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in drinking water systems, as well as interim standards and testing requirements, new groundwater and surface water standards, investigation of PFAS sources, and landfill monitoring.

Creates and progresses a variety of methods to mitigate per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in Minnesota, including appropriating funds for grant programs and other initiatives.

Streamlines the process of regionalizing water and wastewater public utilities in New Mexico. Intended to allow for smaller utilities to regionalize and benefit from economies of scale.

Outlines a plan and requirements for covered water systems throughout New York state to inventory for lead service lines and make that information publicly available. The Department of Health will illustrate this data for large systems in interactive maps online.

Act 250 is Vermont’s land use and development law. Projects that require an Act 250 permit and are located within a flood hazard area or river corridor must meet requirements under Criterion 1D–Flood Hazard Areas, River Corridors.

Act 121 authorizes statewide river corridor regulation and the municipal adoption of higher state floodplain standards.

The Flood Hazard Area and River Corridor Rule regulates development exempt from municipal regulation within designated Flood Hazard Areas and River Corridors.

The River Corridor & Floodplain Protection section works with landowners, municipalities, regional planning commissions, NGOs, and agencies of state and federal government to reduce flood risk by protecting and restoring natural and beneficial river and floodplain functions.

The Climate Commitment Act (CCA) caps and reduces greenhouse gas emissions from Washington’s largest emitting sources and industries. A portion of funds can then be used for clean water investments and restoration of natural floodplain ecological function.

The purpose of the 310 law is to keep rivers and streams in as natural or existing condition as possible, to minimize sedimentation and to recognize beneficial uses. Any individual or corporation proposing construction in a perennial stream must apply for a 310 permit through the local conservation district.

The legislation develops a program to reduce aquatic litter by holding producers of packaging and products accountable for product lifecycle management, enhancing recycling, educating the public on litter impacts, restricting single-use plastics, and funding clean-up efforts in waterways and coastal areas.

The legislation establishes a stewardship program where producers pay into a fund based on packaging material weight. They can offset payments by implementing independent recycling programs. The stewardship organization uses these payments to reimburse municipalities and improve recycling outcomes.

The legislation aims to reduce single-use plastics by 25% by 2032, with 10% through elimination and 4% via reuse systems. The law establishes interim targets and ensures recyclability or compostability of all packaging by 2032, resulting in 115 million tons less CO₂-equivalent emissions over the next decade.

The legislation requires packing producers to pay annual dues to fund a designated nonprofit organization to manage a statewide recycling program which will serve residences, public places, small businesses, schools, and government buildings.

Article 5 of H.F. 3911 establishes increased penalties for littering, promoting public awareness campaigns, and supporting local government efforts in waste management and cleanup. It emphasizes community involvement and education to foster responsible waste disposal practices, which collectively contribute to a reduction in littering and environmental pollution.

By 2032, "the commissioner of the Pollution Control Agency, in consultation with the commissioners of health and natural resources, must contract with a third party that is not a producer or a producer responsibility organization to conduct a study to identify the contribution of covered products to litter and water pollution in Minnesota."