A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT to establish the office of environmental justice within the department of administration.
The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:
SECTION 1.  Article 7 of Chapter 143B of the General Statutes is amended by adding a new Part to read:
"Part 4C. Office of Environmental Justice.
"§ 143B‑285.31.  Creation.
(a)	There is established the Office of Environmental Justice in the Department of Administration.
(b)	The Office of Environmental Justice shall be managed and administered by a Director of Environmental Justice who shall be appointed by the Governor. 
"§  143B‑285.32.  Purpose and duties of the Office of Environmental Justice.
(a)	The Office of Environmental Justice shall work with all State agencies to:
(1)	Ensure that governmental actions substantially affecting human health or the environment operate without discrimination.
(2)	Provide information for citizens and neighborhood groups to allow meaningful participation in regulatory processes.
(3)	Respond in a meaningful manner to allegations of environmental injustice.
(4)	Provide a link for communication and information between the community, industries, and the government.
(5)	Increase awareness of environmental conditions in minority and low‑income communities.
(b)	The Office of Environmental Justice may establish an Environmental Justice Youth Advisory Board."
SECTION 2.  There is appropriated from the General Fund to the Department of Administration the sum of two hundred fifty thousand dollars ($250,000) for the 2007‑2008 fiscal year and the sum of two hundred thousand dollars ($200,000) for the 2008‑2009 fiscal year.  These funds shall be used to support the Office of Environmental Justice and to establish positions for a director, a technical specialist with experience in environmental health or demographics, and an administrative assistant. 
SECTION 3.  This act is effective when it becomes law.