A Democratic bill with 4 Democratic cosponsors · See all 4 cosponsors
Last activity — Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.
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 Green Ribbon Act of 2026 aims to strengthen and expand the Green Ribbon Schools Program through the Department of Education. This includes boosting the capacity of States to increase the number of schools and applicants engaged in environmental, literacy, and health goals. The bill establishes a State Grant Program to support eligible entities in achieving specific "Green Ribbon pillars." Additionally, it creates an award program for nonformal learning institutions like libraries and museums through the Institute of Museum and Library Services. A new Office of School Infrastructure and Sustainability will also be established within the Department of Education. Finally, the legislation provides for various grants, honorariums, and technical assistance to promote sustainable and healthy school environments.
Yes· 3 of 18
- Scored +5
Would children be better off under this?
The bill directly invests in improving the health, safety, and environmental literacy of school environments for children.
- Scored +5
Would Native Americans be better off under this?
The bill reserves specific funds for the Secretary of the Interior to support schools operated or funded by the Bureau of Indian Education.
- Scored +5
Would students be better off under this?
The bill aims to improve the physical environment, health, and environmental literacy of students in schools.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Improved School Environments: The program supports schools in reducing energy and water use, increasing resilience, and improving indoor air and other conditions for health and wellness (Section 2(b)(1)(E)).
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Increased Environmental Literacy: The bill focuses on helping students develop the capacity to interpret environmental systems and take action to maintain or improve them (Section 2(a)(3)).
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Support for Underresourced Schools: State educational agencies receiving grants must expend at least 40 percent of those funds to support underresourced schools (Section 2(c)(2)(A)).
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Recognition of High Performance: Schools that show high performance in meeting Green Ribbon pillars can receive an honorarium of $10,000 (Section 2(b)(3)(C)).
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Benefits for Nonformal Learning Institutions: Libraries, museums, and zoos can participate in an award program to recognize excellence in greening their institutions (Section 3(c)).
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Technical Assistance for Infrastructure: The creation of a new office will provide technical assistance, training, and grants related to school facility planning, design, and maintenance (Section 4(b)(3)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Financial Dependency on Appropriations: The provision of honorariums for Green Ribbon School award winners and the work of the new Office of School Infrastructure and Sustainability are subject to available appropriations (Section 2(b)(3)(C), Section 4(c)).
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Grant Limitations: Grant funds awarded to State educational agencies are available for use for no more than 3 years (Section 2(c)(5)).
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 children be better off under this? — The bill directly invests in improving the health, safety, and environmental literacy of school environments for children. Would Native Americans be better off under this? — The bill reserves specific funds for the Secretary of the Interior to support schools operated or funded by the Bureau of Indian Education. Would students be better off under this? — The bill aims to improve the physical environment, health, and environmental literacy of students in schools. Would households on low incomes be better off under this? — The bill prioritizes support for underresourced and low-income schools through mandatory fund allocation. Would people with disabilities be better off under this? — The bill includes provisions to support and serve schools that serve a significant number of students with disabilities. Would people in rural areas be better off under this? — The bill includes specific efforts to support and engage schools in rural or remote communities. Would Black Americans be better off under this? — The focus on underresourced schools can provide significant benefits to many African American educational communities. Would Hispanic Americans be better off under this? — The focus on underresourced schools can provide significant benefits to many Hispanic educational communities.
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Does this cut the pollution that drives climate change? — The bill promotes school and nonformal learning institution goals to reduce emissions and tackle the climate crisis. Does this better protect air, water and wildlife? — The program focuses on improving environmental literacy and the health of environmental systems within school grounds. Does this invest in rural communities? — The bill specifically includes provisions for supporting schools in rural or remote communities.
- Education And Technology
- Does this put more money into public schools? — The bill provides new federal grant opportunities and technical assistance specifically for public schools and educational agencies. Does this put more money into scientific research? — The bill authorizes the Secretary to conduct studies, research, and surveys to inform the Green Ribbon Schools Program.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Does this narrow racial gaps in how people are treated? — The bill mandates that at least 40 percent of grant funds be spent to support underresourced schools, which often include those serving minority communities. Is this likely to lift people out of poverty? — By specifically targeting underresourced and low-income schools for support, the bill provides resources to help alleviate educational disadvantages associated with poverty.
- Economy And Finance
- Is this likely to create jobs? — The creation of a new Office of School Infrastructure and Sustainability and the expansion of school programs may lead to modest job growth in administration and environmental services.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see? — The bill requires the Secretary to publish annual reports describing program activities and outcomes.
- Healthcare
- Does this make health care easier to get in general? — The bill's focus on improving indoor air and environmental health conditions in schools may contribute to better long-term health outcomes for students.
- 6/25/2026
- Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.
- 4 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in House
3 bills Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
Henry JohnsonDemocrat · Georgia
Seth MagazinerDemocrat · Rhode Island
Eleanor NortonDemocrat · District of Columbia
Rashida TlaibDemocrat · Michigan