April 22, 2026
Mr. Markey introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works
To establish youth advisory councils for the purpose of providing recommendations to the Environmental Protection Agency, Department of the Interior, Department of Energy, Department of Agriculture, and Department of Commerce with respect to environmental issues as those issues relate to youth communities, and for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,
Section 1. Short title
This Act may be cited as the Youth Climate Leadership Act of 2026
.
Sec. 2. Definitions
In this Act:
(1) Covered agency head
The term covered agency head means each of the following heads of agencies:
(A)
The Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency.
(B)
The Secretary of the Interior.
(C)
The Secretary of Energy.
(D)
The Secretary of Agriculture.
(E)
The Secretary of Commerce.
(2) Designated Federal officer
The term designated Federal officer means the designated Federal officer for a Youth Advisory Council appointed under section 3(b)(6).
(3) Disadvantaged community
The term disadvantaged community means a community identified as a disadvantaged community by the Justice40 Initiative (or a successor initiative) and the Climate and Economic Justice Screening Tool of the Council on Environmental Quality (or a successor tool).
(4) Environmental justice
The term environmental justice means the just treatment and meaningful involvement of all people, without regard to income, race, color, national origin, Tribal affiliation, or disability, in agency decisionmaking and other Federal activities that affect human health and the environment so that people—
(A)
are fully protected from disproportionate and adverse human health and environmental effects (including risks) and hazards, including those related to climate change, the cumulative impacts of environmental and other burdens, and the legacy of racism or other structural or systemic barriers; and
(B)
have equitable access to a healthy, sustainable, and resilient environment in which to live and engage in cultural and subsistence practices.
(5) Youth Advisory Council
The term Youth Advisory Council means a Youth Advisory Council established by a covered agency head pursuant to section 3(a).
Sec. 3. Youth Advisory Councils
(a) Establishment
Each covered agency head shall establish within the respective agency of the covered agency head a Youth Advisory Council for the purpose of providing recommendations to the applicable covered agency head with respect to governmental approaches to environmental issues as those issues relate to youth, including—
(1)
recommendations with respect to programs to help the governments of disadvantaged communities address environmental issues in those disadvantaged communities;
(2)
recommendations with respect to performance measures that could be used to measure the impact of climate change and other environmental harms that affect youth communities; and
(3)
researching, writing reports on, and making recommendations with a focus on environmental justice, climate change mitigation and resiliency, and pollution reduction.
(b) Membership
(1) Size
A Youth Advisory Council shall consist of not fewer than 15, and not greater than 25, representative members of non-Federal interests that have demonstrated high levels of knowledge and expertise in environmental issues, to be appointed by the applicable covered agency head.
(2) Requirements
(A) Age
A member of a Youth Advisory Council shall have an age, at the time of appointment or reappointment under paragraph (4), of not less than 16 years and not more than 29 years.
(B) Geographic diversity required
A covered agency head shall seek to ensure that members of a Youth Advisory Council are from geographically diverse locations across the United States.
(C) Consideration of backgrounds
(i) In general
In selecting members of a Youth Advisory Council, a covered agency head shall consider candidates with varying backgrounds, including—
(I)
business and industry;
(II)
academic institutions;
(III)
State, local, and Tribal governments;
(IV)
public interest groups;
(V)
environmental organizations; and
(VI)
service groups.
(ii) Requirement
Of the members of a Youth Advisory Council, not more than 60 percent may come from any 1 category described in clause (i).
(D) Representation of disadvantaged communities
Of the members of a Youth Advisory Council, not less than 50 percent shall come from, reside primarily in, or work primarily in disadvantaged communities.
(E) Diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility considerations
In selecting members of a Youth Advisory Council, a covered agency head shall consider diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility, in accordance with Executive Order 14035 (86 Fed. Reg. 34593 (June 30, 2021); relating to diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility in the Federal workforce).
(3) Term
A member of a Youth Advisory Council shall serve for a term of 2 years.
(4) Reappointment
A covered agency head may reappoint members of a Youth Advisory Council to that Youth Advisory Council.
(5) Vacancies
A vacancy in a Youth Advisory Council—
(A)
shall not affect the powers of the Youth Advisory Council; and
(B)
shall be filled in the same manner as the original appointment.
(6) Designated Federal officer
Each covered agency head shall appoint a full-time employee of the agency of the covered agency head to serve as the designated Federal officer for the applicable Youth Advisory Council.
(7) Co-chairpersons; vice-chairpersons
Each covered agency head shall, from among the members of the applicable Youth Advisory Council, appoint 2 co-chairpersons and 2 vice-chairpersons.
(c) Meetings
(1) Frequency
A Youth Advisory Council shall meet at the call of the applicable designated Federal officer, but not less frequently than annually.
(2) Open meetings
The meetings of a Youth Advisory Council shall be open to the public unless the covered agency head determines, in accordance with section 552b(c) of title 5, United States Code, to close a meeting or portion of a meeting.
(3) Agenda
The agenda of a meeting of a Youth Advisory Council shall be approved in advance by the applicable designated Federal officer.
(4) Requirement
A Youth Advisory Council or subcommittee of a Youth Advisory Council may not meet without the presence of the applicable designated Federal officer (or a designee).
(5) Public participation
A person interested in the proceedings of a Youth Advisory Council or interested in providing comment on a matter before a Youth Advisory Council may—
(A)
attend meetings of the Youth Advisory Council;
(B)
appear before the Youth Advisory Council; and
(C)
file written comments with the Youth Advisory Council.
(6) Adjournment
The designated Federal officer for a Youth Advisory Council may adjourn the meeting of the Youth Advisory Council if the designated Federal officer determines it is in the public interest to do so.
(d) Subcommittees
A Youth Advisory Council may establish subcommittees as determined appropriate by the Youth Advisory Council.
(e) Education
Each covered agency head shall develop and provide to members of the Youth Advisory Council an educational curriculum, which shall include briefings on the organizational structure and work of the agency of the covered agency head.
(f) Reports
Not less frequently than annually, a Youth Advisory Council shall submit to the applicable covered agency head a report describing any recommendations of the Youth Advisory Council made in accordance with subsection (a).
(g) Administrative support
The agency of a covered agency head shall provide administrative support to the Youth Advisory Council of the agency.
(h) Applicability of FACA
Section 1013 of title 5, United States Code, shall not apply to a Youth Advisory Council.
(i) Applicability to existing councils
The Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency may, in accordance with this Act, designate the National Environmental Youth Advisory Council as the Youth Advisory Council of the Environmental Protection Agency.
Sec. 4. Authorization of appropriations
There is authorized to be appropriated $250,000 to each of the Environmental Protection Agency, the Department of the Interior, the Department of Energy, the Department of Agriculture, and the Department of Commerce for each of fiscal years 2027 through 2037 for the purpose of carrying out this Act.