A Democratic bill with no cosponsors
Last activity — Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Education and Workforce, 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.
In committee
Introduced and handed to a committee in the chamber it started in.
The committee holds it, and most bills are never heard from again. A hearing or a committee vote would be news; silence is the usual outcome, and it kills the bill without anyone voting against it.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
The Environmental Health Workforce Act of 2026 aims to prioritize the education and training of both new and existing environmental health professionals. The bill directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to develop model standards and guidelines for credentialing these workers. It also requires a comprehensive workforce development plan to address gaps in staffing and training. Additionally, the Comptroller General is tasked with examining best practices regarding training and credentialing across various states. Finally, the act amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to include full-time environmental health workers in public service loan forgiveness programs.
Yes· 3 of 10
- Scored +6
Does this better protect air, water and wildlife?
By strengthening the workforce that investigates and controls environmental hazards, the bill enhances environmental protections.
- Scored +5
Would students be better off under this?
Students pursuing environmental health careers benefit from the inclusion in loan forgiveness programs.
- Scored +5
Does this reduce what student borrowers owe or repay?
It explicitly adds environmental health workers to the public service loan forgiveness program.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Professional Standards and Support: The Secretary of Health and Human Services will develop model standards and guidelines for credentialing, while also providing technical assistance to state, local, and tribal governments (Section 3). This could help establish clear professional expectations.
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Workforce Stability: The bill requires a comprehensive plan to ensure Department of Health and Human Services programs meet national needs by identifying gaps in the workforce and actions needed to address them (Section 4).
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Financial Assistance for Workers: The act amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to allow full-time environmental health workers who are accredited, certified, or licensed to qualify for public service loan forgiveness (Section 6).
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Data-Driven Best Practices: The Comptroller General will identify best practices regarding training and credentialing by examining six different states (Section 5).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- No specific negative impacts or burdens are explicitly stated in the provided text.
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Tap or hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would students be better off under this? — Students pursuing environmental health careers benefit from the inclusion in loan forgiveness programs. Would people in their twenties and thirties be better off under this? — The loan forgiveness provision is particularly beneficial for young professionals entering the field. Would Native Americans be better off under this? — The bill mentions technical assistance for tribal governments, which supports tribal public health programs.
- Education And Technology
- Does this reduce what student borrowers owe or repay? — It explicitly adds environmental health workers to the public service loan forgiveness program. Does this make college cost less? — The bill increases college affordability for environmental health professionals through public service loan forgiveness.
- Healthcare
- Does this make health care easier to get in general? — Strengthening the environmental health workforce improves the overall capacity of public health services. Does this make the country readier for the next outbreak? — The bill addresses staffing shortages that were highlighted by the COVID-19 pandemic to improve future response capacity.
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Does this better protect air, water and wildlife? — By strengthening the workforce that investigates and controls environmental hazards, the bill enhances environmental protections.
- Economy And Finance
- Is this likely to create jobs? — The bill aims to strengthen the workforce through training and development, which supports job stability and potential growth.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this give the federal government more power? — The bill increases federal involvement through HHS standards and a national workforce development plan.
- 7/30/2026
- Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Education and Workforce, 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.
- Introduced in House