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119-hr-8303119th CongressWALLET
Revitalizing America’s Schoolyards Act of 2026
Sponsored By: Representative Lee, Summer L. [D-PA-12]
Introduced
Summary
This bill would create grants to transform schoolyards into park-like outdoor classrooms and community spaces. It would fund two-stage planning and implementation grants and give competitive priority to high-poverty and tribal schools.
Show full summary
- Students and families would gain access to revitalized schoolyards that support hands-on learning, nature play, ecological features, and improved health and social opportunities at elementary and secondary schools.
- Local educational agencies, educational service agencies, and qualified nonprofits could apply for a planning grant followed by a conditional implementation grant. An eligible entity could receive up to $1 million in total awards and each grant phase may last up to 2 years.
- Tribal and Bureau of Indian Education schools would get a guaranteed share, with 5 percent of appropriated funds reserved for the Department of the Interior to support tribally operated or BIE-linked schools.
A federal clearinghouse would compile designs, best practices, expert input, and links to state and local resources to guide schools and partners.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
5 provisions identified: 4 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.
How yearly schoolyard money is split
If enacted, the bill would authorize "such sums as may be necessary" for FY2027 through FY2031 to run the program. Each year 5% of the money would be reserved for Bureau of Indian Education or tribally operated schools through the Department of the Interior. Of the remaining money each year, 30% would pay for planning grants and 70% would pay for implementation grants. Congress would set the annual dollar amounts.
Two-year schoolyard grants with $1,000,000 cap
If enacted, grants would run in two-year cohorts. Eligible groups could get a planning grant in year one and, if funds are available and the Secretary finds the project viable, an implementation grant in year two. Each planning or implementation grant could last up to two years, for a combined maximum of four years per award. No eligible entity could receive more than $1,000,000 total for planning plus implementation. The Secretary could reallocate planning money to implementation or make extra awards from unused funds, prioritizing higher-scoring unfunded applicants.
Schoolyard build grants with 20% match
If enacted, implementation grants would pay to build approved schoolyard plans. Recipients could use up to 25% of an implementation grant for professional development and staff or partner support for stewardship. In general, recipients would need to provide a 20% non-Federal match, but the Secretary could waive that match for entities that serve at least 40% low-income students or that serve BIE or tribal-operated schools. The Secretary must give competitive priority to projects serving schools where at least 75% of students are eligible for free or reduced-price lunch.
National outdoor learning clearinghouse
If enacted, the Secretary would maintain a public clearinghouse of outdoor learning examples and best practices. It would include input from nonprofits, professionals, and community experts. The clearinghouse would link to State and local resources, design and maintenance guidance, lesson plans, and examples of green infrastructure. It would be housed in the National Center on School Infrastructure or another appropriate clearinghouse.
Planning grants for schoolyard designs
If enacted, planning grants would pay for developing a concept plan and design documents for school outdoor spaces. Plans would require school and public input, ADA accessibility, ecological and learning goals, drawings, cost estimates, partner lists, and long-term maintenance plans. Plans should prioritize schools with low tree canopy, heat or flood vulnerability, or many low-income students. Recipients could use up to 10% of a planning grant to hire a grant writer or consultant to help apply for implementation funding.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Lee, Summer L. [D-PA-12]
PA • D
Cosponsors
Rep. Pressley, Ayanna [D-MA-7]
MA • D
Sponsored 4/15/2026
Rep. Johnson, Henry C. "Hank" [D-GA-4]
GA • D
Sponsored 4/15/2026
Rep. Lieu, Ted [D-CA-36]
CA • D
Sponsored 4/15/2026
Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large]
DC • D
Sponsored 4/15/2026
Rep. Quigley, Mike [D-IL-5]
IL • D
Sponsored 4/15/2026
Rep. Tokuda, Jill N. [D-HI-2]
HI • D
Sponsored 4/15/2026
Rep. Craig, Angie [D-MN-2]
MN • D
Sponsored 4/20/2026
Rep. McCollum, Betty [D-MN-4]
MN • D
Sponsored 4/16/2026
Rep. Tlaib, Rashida [D-MI-12]
MI • D
Sponsored 4/16/2026
Rep. Underwood, Lauren [D-IL-14]
IL • D
Sponsored 5/7/2026
Rep. Goldman, Daniel S. [D-NY-10]
NY • D
Sponsored 5/7/2026
Rep. Pingree, Chellie [D-ME-1]
ME • D
Sponsored 5/7/2026
Rep. Neguse, Joe [D-CO-2]
CO • D
Sponsored 5/7/2026
Rep. Bonamici, Suzanne [D-OR-1]
OR • D
Sponsored 5/20/2026
Rep. Mrvan, Frank J. [D-IN-1]
IN • D
Sponsored 5/20/2026
Rep. Grijalva, Adelita S. [D-AZ-7]
AZ • D
Sponsored 5/20/2026
Rep. Matsui, Doris O. [D-CA-7]
CA • D
Sponsored 6/25/2026
Rep. Casten, Sean [D-IL-6]
IL • D
Sponsored 6/25/2026
Rep. Vasquez, Gabe [D-NM-2]
NM • D
Sponsored 8/31/2026
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
View on Congress.gov