ACR 3 — Requires the Legislative Commission to appoint an interim committee to conduct a study concerning environmental justice. (BDR R-568)

(Reprinted with amendments adopted on May 29, 2021) FIRST REPRINT A.C.R.

W HEREAS , Technological progress has advanced societysociety, bringing economic prosperity to some,some but also resulting in significant degradation to the environment, the effects of which have been disproportionately borne by a subset of the population globally and in the State of Nevada;

and W HEREAS , The State has broad powers related to natural resources, technological progress and environmental equity, including powers related to permitting, proposing legislation, - *ACR3**ACR3_R1* – 2 – promulgating regulations and enforcing such laws and regulations which impact the air, climate, land and water of this State;

and W HEREAS , In the exercise of such powers, the State must examine the impact of state and local decisiondecision-making making to determine whether the actions of the State and local governments degrade the quality of the environment, in order to provide the information necessary to ensure such actions minimize habitat and ecosystem destruction, respect community perspectives and promote environmental justice;

and W HEREAS , Given the State’s unique environment, natural resources and indigenous and other underserved communities, a state-level environmental review process incorporating environmental justice principles and broad input from a diverse array of stakeholders would enable the State andto receive muchmuch-needed needed input from experts on environmental impact review, state and federal agencies and local communitiescommunities, resulting in a more transparent and consistent process;

and W HEREAS , theThe Legislature has an inherent interest in the health, safety and general welfare of all Nevadans;

Recommendations for legislation to develop an environmental justice review process for use in any proposed environmental action or review undertaken by the State or a political subdivision of the State, whichwhich: may include a consideration of additional costs resulting from the review process and the subsequent need to revise any associated fees;

(a) Must include, without limitation, a requirement that the proposed environmental action or review mitigate environmental degradation and promote principles of environmental justice;

and (b) May include, without limitation, a consideration of any costs resulting from the review process and the subsequent need to revise any associated fees;

Gaps in existing programs, policiespolicies, activities or activitiesinvestments that may impede the achievement of environmental justice, with - *ACR3_R1* – 3 – special attention to identifying any reasons for a lack of engagement from marginalized communities;

- *ACR3* – 3 – 5.

and be it further - *ACR3_R1* – 4 – R ESOLVED , That the Legislative Commission submit a report of the results of the study and any recommendations for legislation to the 82nd Session of the Nevada Legislature;

and be it further - *ACR3* – 4 – R ESOLVED,ESOLVED , That this resolution becomes effective upon adoption.

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