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119-s-4258119th CongressWALLET

Revitalizing America’s Schoolyards Act of 2026

Sponsored By: Senator Heinrich, Martin [D-NM]

Introduced

Summary

Creates a federal grant program to convert school outdoor spaces into park‑like “revitalized schoolyards” that support ecology, hands‑on learning, and community use. The program funds planning and phased implementation, links upgrades to teacher development, and prioritizes high‑need and Tribal schools.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

4 provisions identified: 4 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.

Extra priority for very high-poverty schools

If enacted, the Secretary would give extra competitive priority to applications that serve student populations where at least 75% of students are eligible for free or reduced-price lunch. For high schools, the 75% calculation could use comparable data from feeder schools. Schools that meet the 75% test would have a higher chance of receiving planning or implementation grants under the program.

Planning grants, consultant use, and reallocation

If enacted, planning grants would pay for concept plans and design documents to revitalize school outdoor spaces. Applications would need a scope of work, an educator professional development plan, State learning standards addressed, cost estimates, drawings, student counts, a maintenance plan, and community input. Planning grant funds could be used for technical assistance, including hiring a qualified grant writer or consultant (subject to the program's limit on administrative uses). The Secretary would be able to reallocate unspent planning funds to support implementation and to make extra awards in the same application cycle to applicants who meet minimum criteria, so long as awards stay within annual appropriations and per-entity caps.

Two-year schoolyard grant program

If enacted, this bill would create a federal competitive grant program that runs in two‑year cohorts. Each cohort would be eligible for a planning grant in year one and, if the Secretary finds the project viable and funds are available, an implementation grant in year two. The program would be authorized for fiscal years 2027 through 2031 with "such sums as may be necessary." For each year, the Secretary would reserve 5% of funds for Bureau of Indian Education and tribally operated schools, then allocate 30% of the remaining money for planning and 70% for implementation. An eligible entity could receive up to $1,000,000 in total. Planning and implementation grants would each last up to two years.

Clearinghouse and public use rules

If enacted, the Secretary would maintain a clearinghouse with design guides, lesson plans, maintenance tips, and links to state and local resources for outdoor learning spaces. The clearinghouse would include input from nonprofits and professionals. The bill would also define "shared public use" to mean that revitalized schoolyards should, when feasible, be open to the public outside school hours during daylight.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Heinrich, Martin [D-NM]

NM • D

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

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