Green Ribbon Act of 2026
Sponsored By: Representative Hayes, Jahana [D-CT-5]
Introduced
Summary
This bill would strengthen and expand the Green Ribbon awards to drive schools and learning institutions toward greater environmental literacy, lower emissions, and healthier buildings while funding state grants and a new federal office to support implementation.
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- Students and families: Encourages schools to reach 100 percent environmental literacy for graduates and improve indoor environmental health for students and staff.
- K–12 schools and districts: Creates competitive state grants of $250,000 to $1,000,000 for up to three years, with at least 40 percent of funds required for underresourced schools and a $10,000 honorarium for each award winner.
- Museums, libraries, and other nonformal institutions: Requires the Institute of Museum and Library Services to run a parallel Green Ribbon award program aligned with EPA and CDC science and reserves 10 percent of appropriations to support it; national winners get $10,000.
- Bureau of Indian Education and tribal schools: Directs ED to reserve at least $250,000 for the Secretary of the Interior to support BIE-operated or funded schools.
- Federal support and technical assistance: Creates an Office of School Infrastructure and Sustainability with three full-time staff to run a technical assistance center, coordinate federal facility programs, and provide grants and resources for green building practices. The office has a $2.0 million appropriation for FY2027.
*Would authorize at least $12.0 million in FY2027 ($10.0 million for the Act plus $2.0 million for the new office) and ongoing appropriations through 2032, increasing federal discretionary spending.*
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
5 provisions identified: 5 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
State grants to expand green schools
If enacted, the Secretary of Education would award competitive grants to State education agencies. Grants would be $250,000 to $1,000,000 each and funds would be available for up to three years. States applying must commit to spend at least 40% of grant dollars on underresourced schools and must document compliance. Grant funds could pay for statewide awards, partnerships, training, technical help, and spreading best practices.
Green awards for museums and libraries
If enacted, the Institute of Museum and Library Services would create a Green Ribbon award for nonformal learning institutions like libraries and museums. The IMLS Director would model the program on the Department of Education's and consult with the EPA and CDC. Each national award winner would receive a $10,000 honorarium.
Green Ribbon school recognition and awards
If enacted, the Department of Education would run an annual Green Ribbon Schools recognition program. State education agencies and the Secretary of the Interior (for BIE schools) could nominate eligible entities. Each awarded Green Ribbon School would receive a $10,000 honorarium if Congress appropriates the money. The Secretary must review and update award criteria within six months and publish final criteria with a public comment period.
Office for school infrastructure help
If enacted, the Department would create an Office of School Infrastructure and Sustainability inside the Secretary's office. The Office would have three full-time employees and run a technical assistance center for school facility planning and operations. It would provide training and technical help and, if Congress provides funding, make grants to states and districts. The bill asks Congress to appropriate $2 million for this Office for fiscal year 2027.
Program funding and set-asides
If enacted, the bill would authorize $10,000,000 for fiscal year 2027 to carry out most of the Act and such sums as necessary for fiscal years 2028–2032. The Secretary must reserve 10% of amounts appropriated to carry out the IMLS award program and may reserve up to 5% for administration. At least $250,000 must be reserved for Bureau of Indian Education school activities from amounts made available under the Act.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Hayes, Jahana [D-CT-5]
CT • D
Cosponsors
Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large]
DC • D
Sponsored 6/25/2026
Rep. Johnson, Henry C. "Hank" [D-GA-4]
GA • D
Sponsored 6/25/2026
Rep. Magaziner, Seth [D-RI-2]
RI • D
Sponsored 6/25/2026
Rep. Tlaib, Rashida [D-MI-12]
MI • D
Sponsored 6/25/2026
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
View on Congress.gov