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119-s-5567119th CongressWALLET

Civilian Climate Corps for Jobs and Justice Act

Sponsored By: Senator Markey, Edward J. [D-MA]

Introduced

Summary

Civilian Climate Corps that would scale nationwide climate, clean-energy, resilience, conservation, and remediation service while creating clean-economy career pathways and prioritizing environmental justice for under-resourced communities.

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  • Participants would receive a baseline living allowance of at least $20 per hour, a gold-level health plan premium if purchased on the state exchange, and up to $25,000 in education benefits per term of service.
  • At least 50% of participants and at least 50% of CCC labor and funding would support under-resourced communities of need, with at least 10% of that focus reserved for Indian country.
  • The program would require prevailing wages and labor neutrality from contractors, treat members as employees for collective bargaining, allow members to strike, and set binding arbitration rules for disputes.

*Would authorize about $159.6 billion in supplemental appropriations for FY2027–FY2031, plus unspecified health care costs, increasing federal outlays over that period.*

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

7 provisions identified: 6 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.

Corps member pay, health, and housing

If enacted, Civilian Climate Corps members would get a living allowance of at least $20 per hour that rises each year with the BLS median hourly wage. Members who enroll in a gold‑level plan on their State Health Benefit Exchange would have that annual premium paid for them and any dependents. Members would be eligible for child care, counseling, campus housing or housing vouchers when needed, and supportive equipment, travel, and supplies. After a completed term, a member could get up to $25,000 per term for tuition or qualified student loan repayment; members receiving this Subtitle K benefit would not be eligible for the Subtitle D national service award. Active participants would also receive federal tort‑claim and federal employee compensation treatment under specified rules.

Larger service award, tax-free

If enacted, the bill would make the national service educational award equal to twice the maximum Federal Pell Grant amount. For tax years ending after enactment, national service awards under Subtitle D and educational benefits under Subtitle K would be excluded from gross income, and related student‑loan discharge or repayment tax treatment would be extended to those amounts.

Major funding authorizations

If enacted, the bill would authorize large additional appropriations for 2027–2031. That includes $19.5 billion for national service administration, assistance, and awards, $91.2 billion for the Subtitle K climate program (excluding separate education and health benefits), and $48.9 billion for Subtitle K education benefits. These amounts would be in addition to prior appropriations and available through fiscal year 2031.

New Climate Corps program targets

If enacted, the bill would create a Civilian Climate Corps under the federal Corporation for National and Community Service. The CEO would publish a roadmap with national program position targets of 50,000 (2027), 100,000 (2028), 175,000 (2029), 275,000 (2030), and 400,000 (2031), and grant-program targets of 25,000 up to 200,000 by 2031. Of funds appropriated for the subtitle, 66% would go to the national climate service program and 34% to the grant program. The Director would limit the number of members on each project to what Partner and Corporation funding can support, and would seek at least 50% of participants from under‑resourced communities and at least 10% of Corps labor/investment for Indian country. Applicants would generally need to be at least 17 by December 31 of the enrollment year; immigration status would not bar eligibility.

Service terms, training, follow-up

If enacted, Civilian Climate Corps service agreements would last at least nine months and no more than one year, and a participant could renew once. Each member would get 2 to 6 weeks of common service‑learning training that counts as service and pay, plus at least 4 weeks of career and technical education. Members who do not enroll as full‑time students after service would receive 9 to 12 months of follow‑up services, and the Director would collect career outcome data.

Worker pay and bargaining rights

If enacted, the bill would set wage floors and collective bargaining rules for Corps members and project workers. Construction laborers and mechanics must receive at least the local Davis‑Bacon prevailing wage and other service workers must meet Service Contract Act wage and fringe minimums. The Corps would be the employer for bargaining, must remain neutral in organizing, recognize majority unions, and members would have the right to strike without being discharged or permanently replaced; unresolved disputes could go to binding arbitration for two years. The bill would forbid subcontracting intended to evade bargaining terms.

Climate grant rules and priorities

If enacted, the bill would let the Corporation award national climate service grants to states, tribes, territories, nonprofits, labor groups, Federal agencies, and colleges. It would reserve 30% of grant funds for State allotments, 5% for Indian tribes, and 70% for competitive grants, and give each State with an approved application at least $600,000 per year. The Corporation could fund up to 100% of a supported program’s cost and could issue fixed‑amount grants. Competitive awards would get priority for pre‑apprenticeship and registered apprenticeship pathways, and at least 10% of college-directed funds must go to HBCUs and 10% to other minority‑serving institutions. Grant applicants would also have to promise training, support services, required member benefits, and protection of members’ rights to organize.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Markey, Edward J. [D-MA]

MA • D

Cosponsors

  • Sen. Warren, Elizabeth [D-MA]

    MA • D

    Sponsored 9/24/2026

  • Sen. Blumenthal, Richard [D-CT]

    CT • D

    Sponsored 9/24/2026

  • Sen. Van Hollen, Chris [D-MD]

    MD • D

    Sponsored 9/24/2026

  • Sen. Sanders, Bernard [I-VT]

    VT • I

    Sponsored 9/24/2026

  • Sen. Gillibrand, Kirsten E. [D-NY]

    NY • D

    Sponsored 9/24/2026

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

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