Maxwell Frost (D-FL)
Youth Climate Leadership Act of 2026
A Democratic bill with no cosponsors
Last activity — 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.
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 Youth Climate Leadership Act of 2026 establishes Youth Advisory Councils within the Environmental Protection Agency, Department of the Interior, Department of Energy, Department of Agriculture, and Department of Commerce. These councils are tasked with providing recommendations to agency heads regarding environmental issues affecting youth communities. The councils will focus on areas such as environmental justice, climate change mitigation, and pollution reduction. Members must be between the ages of 16 and 29 and are required to have demonstrated knowledge in environmental issues. At least half of the council members must come from or work in disadvantaged communities.
Yes· 3 of 10
- Scored +7
Would people in their twenties and thirties be better off under this?
The bill specifically creates leadership and advisory roles for individuals between the ages of 16 and 29.
- Scored +5
Would children be better off under this?
The bill addresses environmental issues and climate change that directly impact the future of children.
- Scored +5
Would households on low incomes be better off under this?
The bill prioritizes environmental justice and resources for disadvantaged communities which often includes low-income areas.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Inclusion of Youth Voices: The bill creates a formal way for young people, aged 16 to 29, to provide recommendations on environmental issues and governmental approaches to agency heads (Section 3(a), 3(b)(2)(A)).
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Support for Disadvantaged Communities: The bill mandates that at least 50 percent of council members must come from, reside in, or work in disadvantaged communities, ensuring these voices are represented (Section 3(b)(2)(D)).
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Focus on Environmental Justice: The councils are tasked with researching and making recommendations specifically focused on environmental justice, climate change mitigation, and pollution reduction (Section 3(a)(3)).
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Community Program Recommendations: The councils will provide recommendations regarding programs designed to help governments of disadvantaged communities address their specific environmental issues (Section 3(a)(1)).
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Public Transparency and Participation: Meetings are generally open to the public, allowing people to attend, appear before the council, or file written comments (Section 3(c)(2), 3(c)(5)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- No specific negative impacts or burdens are explicitly identified within 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 people in their twenties and thirties be better off under this? — The bill specifically creates leadership and advisory roles for individuals between the ages of 16 and 29. Would children be better off under this? — The bill addresses environmental issues and climate change that directly impact the future of children. Would households on low incomes be better off under this? — The bill prioritizes environmental justice and resources for disadvantaged communities which often includes low-income areas. Would Black Americans be better off under this? — The focus on environmental justice and disadvantaged communities provides a mechanism to address systemic environmental burdens. Would people with disabilities be better off under this? — The bill includes accessibility as a consideration for the selection of council members.
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Does this better protect air, water and wildlife? — The bill creates formal advisory structures to address pollution reduction and environmental justice. Does this cut the pollution that drives climate change? — The bill establishes councils to research and recommend approaches for climate change mitigation and resiliency.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Does this narrow racial gaps in how people are treated? — The bill mandates that at least 50 percent of council members represent disadvantaged communities, which includes addressing the legacy of racism and structural barriers. Is this likely to lift people out of poverty? — The bill focuses on environmental justice and climate change mitigation which can help alleviate environmental burdens in disadvantaged communities.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see? — The bill mandates that council meetings be open to the public and allow for public participation through comments and appearances.
- 4/20/2026
- 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.
- Introduced in House
One bill Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.