Neighborhood Tree Act of 2026
- Bill Number
- H.R. 8474
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 2
- Policy Area
- Public Lands and Natural Resources
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2026-04-23: Referred to the House Committee on Agriculture.
- Last Updated
- 2026-07-03T08:06:07Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
The Neighborhood Tree Act of 2026 (H.R. 8474) aims to amend the Cooperative Forestry Assistance Act of 1978 to create new federal funding for planting and maintaining trees in urban and community areas. It addresses inequities in tree cover, which disproportionately affect low-income, minority, and historically redlined neighborhoods, while promoting public health, environmental benefits, and climate resilience.
Key Provisions
- Findings Section: Highlights benefits of urban forests, including improved physical/mental health, better air quality, reduced urban heat (urban heat island effect: higher temperatures in cities due to less greenery), lower energy use, and stormwater control. Notes $18+ billion annual value, job creation potential, and disparities (e.g., 33% less tree cover in neighborhoods of color, 41% less in low-income areas).
- Neighborhood Tree Fund (new subsection in existing law):
- Establishes a fund managed by the Secretary of Agriculture (likely via U.S. Forest Service).
- Provides grants to states, Indian Tribes, local governments, approved organizations, and community tree volunteer groups for tree planting and maintenance to boost community tree canopy health.
- Requirements (developed with input from Secretary of Housing and Urban Development): Community/stakeholder engagement, tree canopy assessments (surveys of existing tree cover), use of climate science in projects, proper site preparation and tree species selection, and ongoing monitoring/maintenance.
- Priorities: Projects in high-poverty census tracts (≥20% poverty rate, including redlined areas from 1930s Home Owners' Loan Corporation maps), low-tree/high-heat neighborhoods, climate-resilient public health efforts, or community-led urban agroforestry/food production.
- Funding cap: No more than 10% for tree assessments.
- Authorizations: $100M (FY2025), $200M (FY2026), $400M (FY2027), $600M (FY2028), $700M (FY2029).
- Advisory Council Update: Expands the National Urban and Community Forestry Advisory Council to 16 members, adding three non-government experts in urban forestry (one from a small community <50,000 population, one from a low-income community).
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- Inserts a new Neighborhood Tree Fund subsection (h) into Section 9 of the Cooperative Forestry Assistance Act of 1978 (16 U.S.C. 2105), building on existing urban forestry programs.
- Redesignates prior subsections (h/i to i/j).
- Modifies the Advisory Council's composition (Section 9(g)(2)(A)) from 15 to 16 members with specific expertise requirements for better representation of underserved communities.
Potential Impacts
- Government Agencies: U.S. Forest Service gains dedicated funding and priorities for urban tree programs; requires coordination with HUD. Increases administrative duties for grant requirements and assessments.
- Citizens: Improves tree cover in underserved urban areas, potentially reducing heat exposure (e.g., 2.6–7°C cooler in greener zones), health risks, energy costs, and environmental disparities; creates jobs in tree care.
- No direct international relations impact.
- Overall: Could enhance urban resilience to climate change and promote equity in green space access.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Recipients: States, Indian Tribes, local governments, nonprofits, and volunteer groups in priority (low-income, high-poverty, redlined) communities.
- Beneficiaries: Residents of urban/low-tree neighborhoods, especially racial minorities and low-income groups facing heat and health disparities.
- Agencies: U.S. Department of Agriculture (Forest Service), Department of Housing and Urban Development.
- Advisory Council: Gains new members from small/low-income communities.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: Authorizes substantial new appropriations (up to $700M/year), subject to congressional approval; emphasizes environmental justice without mandating quotas.
- Constitutional: Aligns with Congress's spending power for public welfare and environmental protection; prioritizes based on census data and historical redlining (public records), avoiding equal protection issues.
- Political: Focuses on equity and historical inequities (e.g., redlining: past discriminatory lending maps), potentially advancing bipartisan environmental goals while targeting underserved areas. No major controversies noted in bill text.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Rep. Brown, Shontel M. [D-OH-11]
Cosponsors (8)
Rep. Matsui, Doris O. [D-CA-7], Rep. Thompson, Mike [D-CA-4], Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large], Rep. Sykes, Emilia Strong [D-OH-13], Rep. Titus, Dina [D-NV-1], Rep. Brownley, Julia [D-CA-26], Rep. Ross, Deborah K. [D-NC-2], Rep. Moulton, Seth [D-MA-6]
Recent Actions
- 2026-04-23: Referred to the House Committee on Agriculture.
- 2026-04-23: Introduced in House
- 2026-04-23: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Neighborhood Tree Act of 2026 — issued 2026-04-23 — PDF (8 pages)