Edward Markey (D-MA)
Youth Climate Leadership Act of 2026
A Democratic bill with no cosponsors
Last activity — Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
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 aims to create youth advisory councils within several federal agencies. These councils will provide recommendations to agency heads regarding environmental issues that affect youth communities. The agencies involved include the Environmental Protection Agency, Department of the Interior, Department of Energy, Department of Agriculture, and Department of Commerce. Each council must consist of 15 to 25 members between the ages of 16 and 29. The bill also establishes specific diversity and representation requirements for these councils.
Yes· 3 of 10
- Scored +6
Would people in their twenties and thirties be better off under this?
The bill specifically creates leadership and educational opportunities for people aged 16 to 29.
- Scored +5
Would children be better off under this?
The bill creates a mechanism for youth voices to influence federal environmental policy.
- Scored +5
Does this better protect air, water and wildlife?
The bill establishes councils to provide recommendations on pollution reduction and environmental justice.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Empowerment of Youth Communities: The establishment of Youth Advisory Councils allows young people to provide recommendations on governmental approaches to environmental issues, including programs for disadvantaged communities, climate change impact measures, and pollution reduction (Section 3(a)).
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Support for Disadvantaged Communities: The bill requires that at least 50 percent of council members come from, reside in, or work in disadvantaged communities, ensuring these groups have a voice in federal environmental discussions (Section 3(b)(2)(D)).
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Focus on Environmental Justice: The councils are tasked with researching and making recommendations focused on environmental justice, climate change mitigation, and resiliency (Section 3(a)(3)).
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Educational Opportunities: Each agency head is required to provide members with an educational curriculum that includes briefings on the agency's organizational structure and work (Section 3(e)).
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Public Transparency and Participation: Meetings are required to be open to the public, and interested individuals have the right to attend meetings, appear before the council, or file written comments (Section 3(c)(2) and Section 3(c)(5)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- No specific negative impacts are explicitly detailed 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 people in their twenties and thirties be better off under this? — The bill specifically creates leadership and educational opportunities for people aged 16 to 29. Would children be better off under this? — The bill creates a mechanism for youth voices to influence federal environmental policy. Would households on low incomes be better off under this? — The bill mandates that half of the council members represent disadvantaged communities, which often include low-income households. Would Black Americans be better off under this? — The focus on environmental justice and disadvantaged communities can provide more equitable outcomes for Black Americans. Would people with disabilities be better off under this? — The bill includes accessibility considerations in the selection of council members.
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Does this better protect air, water and wildlife? — The bill establishes councils to provide recommendations on pollution reduction and environmental justice. Does this cut the pollution that drives climate change? — The bill tasks councils with making recommendations regarding climate change mitigation.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Does this narrow racial gaps in how people are treated? — The bill prioritizes environmental justice and requires half of the council members to come from disadvantaged communities. Is this likely to lift people out of poverty? — The bill aims to address environmental issues that disproportionately affect disadvantaged communities.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see? — The bill requires council meetings to be open to the public and provides for public participation through comments and appearances.
- 4/22/2026
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
- Introduced in Senate
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.