H.R. 8363: Youth Climate Leadership Act of 2026
The bill titled the Youth Climate Leadership Act of 2026
aims to establish Youth Advisory Councils within various U.S. government agencies. These councils would provide insights and recommendations on environmental issues that affect youth communities, with a focus on addressing climate change and promoting environmental justice.
Key Provisions
- Creation of Youth Advisory Councils: Each covered agency (including the Environmental Protection Agency and the Departments of Interior, Energy, Agriculture, and Commerce) will form a Youth Advisory Council composed of 15 to 25 members, aged 16 to 29.
- Membership Diversity: To ensure diverse perspectives, members will be drawn from various sectors such as business, academia, government, public interest groups, and environmental organizations, with at least 50% representing disadvantaged communities.
- Council Responsibilities: The councils will make recommendations on:
- Programs to assist disadvantaged communities with environmental challenges.
- Performance measures to assess the impacts of climate change on youth.
- Research and reports focusing on environmental justice and pollution reduction.
- Meetings and Public Engagement: Councils will meet at least annually, and meetings will be open to the public, allowing opportunities for participation, comments, and feedback from interested individuals.
- Educational Support: Agencies will provide educational resources to council members to help them understand the agency's structure and work.
- Funding Authorization: The bill authorizes $250,000 per year from fiscal years 2027 to 2037 for each of the relevant agencies to support the councils' activities.
Oversight and Administration
Each agency will appoint a designated Federal officer to oversee the Youth Advisory Council, ensuring that it operates effectively. The councils will be required to submit annual reports to their respective agencies detailing their recommendations and insights.
Exemptions and Existing Councils
It is stated that existing councils, such as the National Environmental Youth Advisory Council, can be designated to fulfill the role of the Youth Advisory Council for the Environmental Protection Agency.
Relevant Companies
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Sponsors
1 sponsor
Actions
2 actions
| Date | Action |
|---|---|
| Apr. 20, 2026 | Introduced in House |
| Apr. 20, 2026 | Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committees on Natural Resources, and Agriculture, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned. |
Corporate Lobbying
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