S 4403 — Neighborhood Tree Act of 2026

Bill Text

• Introduced Introduced in Senate Current html April 27, 2026

Compared against current U.S. Code AI-generated reading aid — verify against the official bill.

The bill establishes a Neighborhood Tree Fund to enhance urban forestry initiatives and expands the membership of the National Urban and Community Forestry Advisory Council.

• 16 U.S.C. 2105

  (h) Neighborhood Tree Fund.--(1) In general.--Consistent with the purposes described in subsection (b), the Secretary shall establish the Neighborhood Tree Fund (referred to in this subsection as the `Fund'). (2) Assistance.--The Secretary shall use amounts from the Fund to provide assistance to eligible entities described in paragraph (3) to increase and improve the overall health of the tree canopy in a community. (3) Eligibility.--An entity that is eligible to receive assistance under paragraph (2) is-- (A) a State; (B) an Indian Tribe; and (C) a local unit of government, approved organization, or local community tree volunteer group described in subsection (b)(4). (4) Requirements.--The Secretary, in consultation with the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, shall establish requirements for the receipt of assistance under paragraph (2), including requirements with respect to-- (A) engagement with communities and stakeholders; (B) the conduct of a tree canopy assessment; (C) the use of climate change science in the design of a project using the assistance; (D) the conduct of site preparation and tree species selection; and (E) the conduct of monitoring and maintenance to ensure the successful establishment of the tree canopy. (5) Priority.--The Secretary shall give priority to the provision of assistance under paragraph (2) to eligible entities that propose projects that-- (A) include and prioritize tree planting and tree maintenance in-- (i) a census tract with a poverty rate of not less than 20 percent, as measured by the 5-year data series available from the American Community Survey of the Bureau of the Census for the period of 2014 through 2018, including such a census tract that includes an area that was designated as `hazardous' or `definitely declining' in maps drawn by the Home Owners' Loan Corporation; or (ii) a community or neighborhood with lower tree canopy and higher maximum daytime summer temperatures compared to surrounding communities or neighborhoods, as determined by the Secretary, based on publicly available information; (B) optimize outcomes for climate mitigation and resilience for the purpose of public health, as determined by the Secretary; or (C) advance community-led urban agroforestry or tree-based local food production to increase green infrastructure, reduce urban heat, and improve environmental and public health outcomes. (6) Limitations on use of amounts for community tree assessments.--Not more than 10 percent of the amount made available under paragraph (7) for a fiscal year may be used for the development of community tree assessments. (7) Authorization of appropriations.--There are authorized to be appropriated for deposit into the Fund, for use by the Secretary to carry out this subsection, not less than-- (A) $100,000,000 for fiscal year 2027; (B) $200,000,000 for fiscal year 2028; (C) $400,000,000 for fiscal year 2029; (D) $600,000,000 for fiscal year 2030; and (E) $700,000,000 for fiscal year 2031.

  This addition creates a dedicated fund for supporting urban forestry projects, focusing on health and equity.

• 16 U.S.C. 2105(g)(2)(A)

  15 → 16

  This change increases the membership of the National Urban and Community Forestry Advisory Council from 15 to 16 members.

• 16 U.S.C. 2105(g)(2)(A)

  , and → .

  This modification changes the grammatical structure of the provisions detailing council membership.

• 16 U.S.C. 2105(g)(2)(A)

  , and → .

  This amendment clarifies reading and understanding of the council membership requirements.

• 16 U.S.C. 2105(g)(2)(A)

  clause (x) → clause (x) 3 members who are not officers or employees of any governmental body and who have expertise and have been active in urban and community forestry, of whom-- (I) 1 is a resident of a community with a population of less than 50,000 as of the most recent census; and (II) 1 is a resident of a low-income community, as determined by the Secretary.

  This change specifies that the additional members of the council must have urban forestry expertise and represent both smaller communities and low-income areas.

Action History

1. April 27, 2026

   Introduced in Senate

2. April 27, 2026

   Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.

Sponsors

• Kirsten E. Gillibrand · Cosponsor
• Andy Kim · Cosponsor
• Tammy Duckworth · Cosponsor
• Edward J. Markey · Cosponsor
• Cory A. Booker · Primary

Subjects