H.R. 8363 — Youth Climate Leadership Act of 2026

This section defines key terms used in the Act, including (1) covered agency head (i.e., the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency or the Secretary of the Interior, Energy, Agriculture, or Commerce); (2) designated Federal officer (i.e., the officer appointed for a Youth Advisory Council under section 3(b)(6)); (3) disadvantaged community (i.e., a community identified as disadvantaged by the Justice40 Initiative (or successor) and the Climate and Economic Justice Screening Tool of the Council on Environmental Quality (or successor tool)); (4) environmental justice (i.e., the fair treatment and involvement of all people regardless of income, race, color, national origin, Tribal affiliation, or disability in federal environmental decision-making to ensure protection from disproportionate adverse health and environmental effects and equitable access to a healthy environment); and (5) Youth Advisory Council (i.e., a council established by a covered agency head under section 3(a)).

This section requires the head of each covered agency to establish a Youth Advisory Council to advise on governmental approaches to environmental issues affecting youth, including (1) programs to assist disadvantaged communities, (2) performance measures for climate change and other environmental harms impacting youth communities, and (3) research, reports, and recommendations on environmental justice, climate change mitigation and resiliency, and pollution reduction. The council consists of 15 to 25 non-federal members aged 16 to 29 with expertise in environmental issues, appointed by the agency head to ensure geographic diversity across the United States; backgrounds from varying sectors (e.g., business, academia, governments, public interest and environmental groups, service groups) with no more than 60% from any one category; at least 50% from, residing in, or primarily working in disadvantaged communities; and consideration of diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility per Executive Order 14035. Members serve 2-year terms (reappointable), with vacancies filled as original appointments; the agency head appoints a full-time federal designated federal officer, plus 2 co-chairpersons and 2 vice-chairpersons from members. Councils meet at least annually (open to the public unless closed per 5 U.S.C. §552b(c)), with agendas approved by and presence required of the designated federal officer (or designee), who may adjourn meetings; public attendance, appearances, and written comments are allowed, and subcommittees may be formed. Agencies must provide members an educational curriculum on agency structure and work, annual reports to the agency head, and administrative support; section 1013 of title 5, United States Code (i.e., Federal Advisory Committee Act termination provision), does not apply. The Environmental Protection Agency Administrator may designate the existing National Environmental Youth Advisory Council as the agency's council under this section.

This section authorizes appropriations of $250,000 to each of the Environmental Protection Agency, Department of the Interior, Department of Energy, Department of Agriculture, and Department of Commerce for each of FY2027 through FY2037 ($2.75 million per agency over 11 years) to carry out this Act.