A Democratic bill with 4 Democratic cosponsors · See all 4 cosponsors
Last activity — Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
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 within the Department of Education. It focuses on boosting the capacity of States to engage more schools in environmental, literacy, and health goals. The bill establishes a State Grant Program to help educational agencies support schools in meeting specific environmental pillars. Additionally, it creates a similar award program for nonformal learning institutions through the Institute of Museum and Library Services. A new Office of School Infrastructure and Sustainability will be established to provide technical assistance and oversee program expansion. Finally, the act authorizes significant funding to support these environmental and educational initiatives.
Yes· 3 of 13
- Scored +5
Would children be better off under this?
The bill aims to improve student health, thinking, and the ability to learn through better school environments.
- Scored +5
Would students be better off under this?
The bill enhances student learning through increased environmental literacy and improved school health conditions.
- Scored +5
Does this cut the pollution that drives climate change?
The bill targets significant emission reductions through school operations and greening of nonformal institutions.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Environmental Literacy and Health: Schools are encouraged to implement pillars that ensure graduates are environmentally literate and that school operations have a net positive impact on the health of students and staff (Section 2(a)(4)).
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Resource and Cost Savings: The program supports schools in implementing measures to reduce energy and water use and costs (Section 2(b)(1)(E)).
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Support for Underresourced Communities: State grant recipients must assure that they expend at least 40 percent of grant funds to support underresourced schools (Section 2(c)(2)(A)).
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Improved Learning Environments: The bill seeks to improve indoor air and other conditions for health and wellness in schools (Section 2(b)(1)(E)).
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Recognition for Nonformal Institutions: Libraries, museums, and other nonformal learning institutions can receive recognition and an honorarium of $10,000 for excellence in greening their institutions (Section 3(c) and 3(d)).
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Technical Assistance for Facilities: The new Office of School Infrastructure and Sustainability will provide technical assistance regarding the planning, design, and maintenance of school facilities (Section 4(b)(3)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Financial Dependency on Appropriations: Awards and honorariums for Green Ribbon School winners and nonformal institutions are subject to the availability of appropriations (Section 2(b)(3)(C) and Section 3(d)).
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Time Limits on State Support: Grant funds awarded to State educational agencies are limited to a period of 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 aims to improve student health, thinking, and the ability to learn through better school environments. Would students be better off under this? — The bill enhances student learning through increased environmental literacy and improved school health conditions. Would Native Americans be better off under this? — The bill reserves $250,000 for the Secretary of the Interior to support schools operated or funded by the Bureau of Indian Education. Would households on low incomes be better off under this? — The bill mandates that 40 percent of state grant funds be directed toward underresourced schools. Would people in rural areas be better off under this? — The bill includes support for schools in disadvantaged or rural and remote communities.
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Does this cut the pollution that drives climate change? — The bill targets significant emission reductions through school operations and greening of nonformal institutions. Does this better protect air, water and wildlife? — The bill promotes environmental literacy and sustainable development in educational and nonformal institutions. Does this repair or build roads and bridges? — The bill provides technical assistance for the planning and maintenance of school facilities and grounds.
- Education And Technology
- Does this put more money into public schools? — The bill authorizes significant funding for state grant programs and technical assistance to support school infrastructure.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see? — The bill requires the Secretary of Education to publish annual reports describing program activities and outcomes.
- Healthcare
- Does this make health care easier to get in general? — The bill aims to improve indoor air and other environmental conditions for the health and wellness of students and staff.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Is this likely to lift people out of poverty? — The bill requires that at least 40 percent of state grant funds be used to support underresourced schools.
- Economy And Finance
- Does this make it easier to run a small business? — The bill provides recognition and honorariums to nonformal learning institutions which can include small museums or nature centers.
- 6/24/2026
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
- 4 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in Senate
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.
Richard DurbinDemocrat · Illinois
Ben LujánDemocrat · New Mexico
Edward MarkeyDemocrat · Massachusetts
Alex PadillaDemocrat · California