H.R. 8474: Neighborhood Tree Act of 2026

The Neighborhood Tree Act of 2026 aims to enhance the planting and maintenance of trees in urban areas across the United States, particularly focusing on communities that are underserved or face economic challenges. It amends the Cooperative Forestry Assistance Act of 1978 by introducing the following key elements:

Findings

The bill outlines several findings that emphasize the importance of urban forests, including:

• The benefits of a healthy urban forest on community health, air quality, energy consumption, and stormwater management.
• A significant estimated value of these benefits, exceeding $18 billion.
• Opportunities for job creation and property value enhancement through urban forestry management.
• Disparities in urban tree canopy distribution among different racial and income demographics, attributing these disparities to historical discriminatory practices.

Neighborhood Tree Fund

The bill establishes a new Neighborhood Tree Fund to support tree planting and maintenance projects. The key aspects include:

• Funding will be provided to eligible entities, such as states, Indian tribes, and local governments or community groups, to improve tree canopies.
• Entities must engage with local communities, conduct tree assessments, and utilize climate science in project designs.
• Priority will be given to projects in areas with high poverty rates and those that aim to mitigate climate impacts, enhance urban agriculture, or improve public health.
• A specific allocation for funding is outlined, beginning with a minimum of $100 million in fiscal year 2025 and increasing to $700 million by fiscal year 2029.

Advisory Council Changes

The bill also modifies the composition of the National Urban and Community Forestry Advisory Council by increasing its membership by one and ensuring representation from communities with populations below 50,000 and low-income communities.

Implementation and Oversight

The Secretary of Agriculture will be responsible for overseeing the Neighborhood Tree Fund and ensuring that assistance is effectively directed toward eligible projects that foster equity and improve urban forestry within vulnerable communities.

Funding Authorization

The legislation authorizes substantial appropriations to support its initiatives, reflecting a commitment to bolster urban forestry resources and address environmental and public health disparities.

Relevant Companies

• None found