S. 4376 — Youth Climate Leadership Act of 2026

This section defines key terms used in the Act, including "(1) covered agency head," meaning the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency or the Secretaries of the Interior, Energy, Agriculture, or Commerce; "(2) designated Federal officer," meaning the officer appointed under section 3(b)(6) for a Youth Advisory Council; "(3) disadvantaged community," meaning a community identified 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," meaning the just treatment and meaningful involvement of all people regardless of income, race, color, national origin, Tribal affiliation, or disability in federal activities affecting human health or the environment, to ensure protection from disproportionate adverse effects (including climate-related and cumulative impacts) and equitable access to a healthy environment; and "(5) Youth Advisory Council," meaning a council established 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 programs for disadvantaged communities, performance measures for climate and environmental harms on youth communities, and research 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 environmental expertise, appointed by the agency head for two-year terms (reappointable); requires geographic diversity; limits any single background category (e.g., business, academia, governments, public interest groups, environmental organizations, service groups) to no more than 60% of members; mandates at least 50% from disadvantaged communities; and considers diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility per Executive Order 14035. The agency head appoints a full-time designated federal officer, two co-chairpersons, and two vice-chairpersons from members; provides administrative support and an educational curriculum on the agency; and exempts the council from the Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. §1013). Councils meet at least annually (open to the public unless closed per 5 U.S.C. §552b(c)), may form subcommittees, allow public participation, and submit annual reports with recommendations to the agency head. The Environmental Protection Agency may designate its existing National Environmental Youth Advisory Council to fulfill this requirement.

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 to carry out this Act.