Youth Climate Leadership Act of 2026
- Bill Number
- H.R. 8363
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 2
- Policy Area
- Environmental Protection
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2026-04-20: 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.
- Last Updated
- 2026-04-27T19:54:01Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
The Youth Climate Leadership Act of 2026 (H.R. 8363) requires the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Department of the Interior (DOI), Department of Energy (DOE), Department of Agriculture (USDA), and Department of Commerce (DOC) to establish Youth Advisory Councils (YACs). These councils provide recommendations to agency leaders on environmental issues affecting youth, with a focus on disadvantaged communities (areas identified by federal tools like Justice40 as facing environmental burdens), environmental justice (fair treatment and involvement in decisions impacting health and environment), climate change, and pollution.
Key Provisions
- Establishment and Duties:
- Each of the five agencies must create a YAC to advise on:
- Programs for disadvantaged communities.
- Measures to track climate and environmental harms on youth.
- Research and reports on environmental justice, climate mitigation/resiliency, and pollution reduction.
- Membership:
- 15–25 members aged 16–29, appointed by agency heads.
- Requirements: Geographic diversity; at least 50% from disadvantaged communities; diverse backgrounds (e.g., business, academia, governments, nonprofits; no more than 60% from one category); consideration of diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility.
- 2-year terms, reappointable; vacancies filled similarly.
- Agency appoints a full-time designated federal officer to oversee; council selects 2 co-chairs and 2 vice-chairs.
- Operations:
- Meet at least annually, open to public (with limited exceptions under federal open meeting laws); public can attend, speak, submit comments.
- Subcommittees allowed; agency provides education and administrative support.
- Annual reports to agency head with recommendations.
- Exemptions and Funding:
- Exempt from the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA), which sets rules for federal advisory groups.
- EPA may designate its existing National Environmental Youth Advisory Council.
- Authorizes $250,000 per agency annually for fiscal years 2027–2037.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- Introduces mandatory YACs in five agencies, with specific youth-focused, diversity, and disadvantaged community mandates—previously no such uniform requirement.
- Exempts YACs from FACA (5 U.S.C. § 1013), simplifying operations compared to standard advisory committees.
- Builds on existing tools (e.g., Justice40 Initiative, CEQ Screening Tool) but mandates their use for member selection.
Potential Impacts
- Government Agencies: Increased administrative burden (e.g., appointments, support, reports); agencies must integrate youth perspectives into environmental decision-making, potentially influencing policies on climate and justice.
- Citizens: Empowers youth (ages 16–29), especially from disadvantaged communities, to shape federal environmental programs; enhances public participation in agency processes.
- No direct impacts on international relations noted.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Youth (16–29): Primary participants, particularly from disadvantaged, diverse, or environmentally impacted areas.
- Covered Agencies (EPA, DOI, DOE, USDA, DOC): Responsible for implementation and funding.
- Communities and Groups: Disadvantaged areas, Tribal nations, environmental organizations, businesses, academia, state/local governments, and public interest groups providing members or input.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: Non-binding recommendations preserve agency discretion; FACA exemption streamlines but may limit oversight; aligns with executive orders on diversity (e.g., EO 14035).
- Constitutional: Supports First Amendment public participation; no apparent conflicts with separation of powers as advice is advisory.
- Political: Promotes youth leadership in climate/environmental policy, emphasizing equity and justice; 11-year funding signals long-term commitment ($12.5 million total across agencies).
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Recent Actions
- 2026-04-20: 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.
- 2026-04-20: 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.
- 2026-04-20: 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.
- 2026-04-20: Introduced in House
- 2026-04-20: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Youth Climate Leadership Act of 2026 — issued 2026-04-20 — PDF (9 pages)