HB 333

Abstract

Virginia Council on Environmental Justice; meetings and staffing; appointment of members. Allows the members of the Virginia Council on Environmental Justice to travel throughout the Commonwealth to view and record conditions related to human health and the environment within and in close proximity to environmental justice communities. The bill prohibits the Secretary of Natural and Historic Resources from delegating any requested staff support for the Council to any agency, regardless of whether such agency is an agency for which the Secretary is responsible to the Governor. The bill further directs any vacancy in the membership of the Council that is in existence on the date the bill's provisions take effect, other than a vacancy occurring by the expiration of a term, to be filled for the unexpired term no later than August 31, 2024.

Virginia Council on Environmental Justice; meetings and staffing; appointment of members. Allows the members of the Virginia Council on Environmental Justice to travel throughout the Commonwealth to view and record conditions related to human health and the environment within and in close proximity to environmental justice communities. The bill prohibits the Secretary of Natural and Historic Resources from delegating any requested staff support for the Council to any agency, regardless of whether such agency is an agency for which the Secretary is responsible to the Governor. The bill further directs any vacancy in the membership of the Council that is in existence on the date the bill's provisions take effect to be filled no later than August 31, 2024.

Virginia Council on Environmental Justice; appointmentsto fill vacancies; timeliness. Requires vacancies in the membershipof the Virginia Council on Environmental Justice to be filled within60 days of the vacancy occurring. Appointments made following theexpiration of a term are also required to be made within 60 daysof the expiration of the term. The bill further directs any vacancyin existence on the date the bill's provisions take effect to befilled no later than July 31, 2024, and the appointment to fill suchvacancy to be included in the Secretary of the Commonwealth's interim appointments communication to the Chairmen of the Senate and HouseCommittees on Privileges and Elections by August 1, 2024, in accordance with current law.