Youth Climate Leadership Act of 2026

Edward J. Markey

Democrat · MA · Senator

Source: Congress.gov · FEC

No cosponsors on record. Bills can pass without cosponsors — this often means the sponsor introduced the bill alone, either because it's a messaging bill, a chairman's mark, or simply early in the legislative cycle.

Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.

2026-04-22

Source: Congress.gov

The legislation would establish programs to engage young people in climate action and environmental leadership, likely through education, training, or volunteer opportunities focused on addressing climate change. It would help develop the next generation of environmental professionals and activists by providing resources and pathways for youth to participate in climate solutions. Young people, schools, environmental organizations, and communities would be the primary beneficiaries of these initiatives.

AI-assisted summary generated from the official bill metadata (title, subjects, actions) sourced from Congress.gov. Cached and reviewed. Always verify against the official text linked below.

[Congressional Bills 119th Congress] [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office] [S. 4376 Introduced in Senate (IS)] <DOC> 119th CONGRESS 2d Session S. 4376 To establish youth advisory councils for the purpose of providing recommendations to the Environmental Protection Agency, Department of the Interior, Department of Energy, Department of Agriculture, and Department of Commerce with respect to environmental issues as those issues relate to youth communities, and for other purposes. _______________________________________________________________________ IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES April 22, 2026 Mr. Markey introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works _______________________________________________________________________ A BILL To establish youth advisory councils for the purpose of providing recommendations to the Environmental Protection Agency, Department of the Interior, Department of Energy, Department of Agriculture, and Department of Commerce with respect to environmental issues as those issues relate to youth communities, and for other purposes. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. This Act may be cited as the ``Youth Climate Leadership Act of 2026''. SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS. In this Act: (1) Covered agency head.--The term ``covered agency head'' means each of the following heads of agencies: (A) The Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency. (B) The Secretary of the Interior. (C) The Secretary of Energy. (D) The Secretary of Agriculture. (E) The Secretary of Commerce. (2) Designated federal officer.--The term ``designated Federal officer'' means the designated Federal officer for a Youth Advisory Council appointed under section 3(b)(6). (3) Disadvantaged community.--The term ``disadvantaged community'' means a community identified as a disadvantaged community by the Justice40 Initiative (or a successor initiative) and the Climate and Economic Justice Screening Tool of the Council on Environmental Quality (or a successor tool). (4) Environmental justice.--The term ``environmental justice'' means the just treatment and meaningful involvement of all people, without regard to income, race, color, national origin, Tribal affiliation, or disability, in agency decisionmaking and other Federal activities that affect human health and the environment so that people-- (A) are fully protected from disproportionate and adverse human health and environmental effects (including risks) and hazards, including those related to climate change, the cumulative impacts of environmental and other burdens, and the legacy of racism or other structural or systemic barriers; and (B) have equitable access to a healthy, sustainable, and resilient environment in which to live and engage in cultural and subsistence practices. (5) Youth advisory council.--The term ``Youth Advisory Council'' means a Youth Advisory Council established by a covered agency head pursuant to section 3(a). SEC. 3. YOUTH ADVISORY COUNCILS. (a) Establishment.--Each covered agency head shall establish within the respective agency of the covered agency head a Youth Advisory Council for the purpose of providing recommendations to the applicable covered agency head with respect to governmental approaches to environmental issues as those issues relate to youth, including-- (1) recommendations with respect to programs to help the governments of disadvantaged communities address environmental issues in those disadvantaged communities; (2) recommendations with respect to performance measures that could be used to measure the impact of climate change and other environmental harms that affect youth communities; and (3) researching, writing reports on, and making recommendations with a focus on environmental justice, climate change mitigation and resiliency, and pollution reduction. (b) Membership.-- (1) Size.--A Youth Advisory Council shall consist of not fewer than 15, and not greater than 25, representative members of non-Federal interests that have demonstrated high levels of knowledge and expertise in environmental issues, to be appointed by the applicable covered agency head. (2) Requirements.-- (A)…

Age.--A member of a Youth Advisory Council shall have an age, at the time of appointment or reappointment under paragraph (4), of not less than 16 years and not more than 29 years. (B) Geographic diversity required.--A covered agency head shall seek to ensure that members of a Youth Advisory Council are from geographically diverse locations across the United States. (C) Consideration of backgrounds.-- (i) In general.--In selecting members of a Youth Advisory Council, a covered agency head shall consider candidates with varying backgrounds, including-- (I) business and industry; (II) academic institutions; (III) State, local, and Tribal governments; (IV) public interest groups; (V) environmental organizations; and (VI) service groups. (ii) Requirement.--Of the members of a Youth Advisory Council, not more than 60 percent may come from any 1 category described in clause (i). (D) Representation of disadvantaged communities.-- Of the members of a Youth Advisory Council, not less than 50 percent shall come from, reside primarily in, or work primarily in disadvantaged communities. (E) Diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility considerations.--In selecting members of a Youth Advisory Council, a covered agency head shall consider diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility, in accordance with Executive Order 14035 (86 Fed. Reg. 34593 (June 30, 2021); relating to diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility in the Federal workforce). (3) Term.--A member of a Youth Advisory Council shall serve for a term of 2 years. (4) Reappointment.--A covered agency head may reappoint members of a Youth Advisory Council to that Youth Advisory Council. (5) Vacancies.--A vacancy in a Youth Advisory Council-- (A) shall not affect the powers of the Youth Advisory Council; and (B) shall be filled in the same manner as the original appointment. (6) Designated federal officer.--Each covered agency head shall appoint a full-time employee of the agency of the covered agency head to serve as the designated Federal officer for the applicable Youth Advisory Council. (7) Co-chairpersons; vice-chairpersons.--Each covered agency head shall, from among the members of the applicable Youth Advisory Council, appoint 2 co-chairpersons and 2 vice- chairpersons. (c) Meetings.-- (1) Frequency.--A Youth Advisory Council shall meet at the call of the applicable designated Federal officer, but not less frequently than annually. (2) Open meetings.--The meetings of a Youth Advisory Council shall be open to the public unless the covered agency head determines, in accordance with section 552b(c) of title 5, United States Code, to close a meeting or portion of a meeting. (3) Agenda.--The agenda of a meeting of a Youth Advisory Council shall be approved in advance by the applicable designated Federal officer. (4) Requirement.--A Youth Advisory Council or subcommittee of a Youth Advisory Council may not meet without the presence of the applicable designated Federal officer (or a designee). (5) Public participation.--A person interested in the proceedings of a Youth Advisory Council or interested in providing comment on a matter before a Youth Advisory Council may-- (A) attend meetings of the Youth Advisory Council; (B) appear before the Youth Advisory Council; and (C) file written comments with the Youth Advisory Council. (6) Adjournment.--The designated Federal officer for a Youth Advisory Council may adjourn the meeting of the Youth Advisory Council if the designated Federal officer determines it is in the public interest to do so. (d) Subcommittees.--A Youth Advisory Council may establish subcommittees as determined appropriate by the Youth Advisory Council. (e) Education.--Each covered agency head shall develop and provide to members of the Youth Advisory Council an educational curriculum, which shall include briefings on the organizational structure and work of the agency of the covered agency head. (f) Reports.--Not less frequently than annually, a Youth Advisory Council shall submit to the applicable covered agency head a report describing any recommendations of the Youth Advisory Council made in accordance with subsection (a). (g) Administrative Support.--The agency of a covered agency head shall provide administrative support to the Youth Advisory Council of the agency. (h) Applicability of FACA.--Section 1013 of title 5, United States Code, shall not apply to a Youth Advisory Council. (i) Applicability to Existing Councils.--The Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency may, in accordance with this Act, designate the National Environmental Youth Advisory Council as the Youth Advisory Council of the Environmental Protection Agency. SEC. 4. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS. There is authorized to be appropriated $250,000 to each of the Environmental Protection Agency, the Department of the Interior, the Department of Energy, the Department of Agriculture, and the Department of Commerce for each of fiscal years 2027 through 2037 for the purpose of carrying out this Act. <all>

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