PlainBillCongress, translated.Legislation. Context. Public interest.Referred to the Committee on Education and Workforce, and in addition to the Committee on Ways and Means, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Congressional Research Service
No official summary is available in the imported record yet.
People & committees
Rep. Ocasio-Cortez, Alexandria [D-NY-14] · D–NY
Legislative record
A procedural vote is different from passage. Passage in one chamber does not establish enactment. Explore the glossary.
Referred to the Committee on Education and Workforce, and in addition to the Committee on Ways and Means, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Referred to the Committee on Education and Workforce, and in addition to the Committee on Ways and Means, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Introduced in House
Introduced in House
Primary sources
Text links open the official source. We also preserved the text version used in the PlainBill explanation below.
Source last updated: Oct 5, 2026. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.
AI Conversation Starters
Choose a perspective, copy a prompt, and paste it into your preferred AI. Each prompt includes the bill version and available official source links, and asks for counterarguments as well as supporting evidence.
Analyze H.R.10585 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.
Examine H.R.10585 through a progressive lens, focusing on fairness, access, economic inequality, and effects on vulnerable communities. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and distinguish stated goals from demonstrated outcomes.
Examine H.R.10585 through a conservative lens, focusing on fiscal responsibility, institutional stability, federalism, and the scope of government. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and any provisions that challenge this perspective.
Examine H.R.10585 through a civil-liberties and limited-government lens. Consider individual rights, privacy, voluntary choice, accountability, and government power. Explain tradeoffs, possible safeguards, and the strongest counterarguments without assuming the proposal is beneficial or harmful.
PlainBill explanation
Based on the full Introduced in House · 2026-09-24 text. This explanation has not received human editorial review. This overview describes the proposal’s major provisions; it does not establish what its real-world effects would be.
The Civilian Climate Corps for Jobs and Justice Act would create paid service opportunities for clean energy, pollution cleanup, conservation, and climate resilience projects. Participants would receive training and career support, with substantial resources directed toward under-resourced communities. The proposal would also change allowances and education benefits in existing national-service programs. It would authorize federal funding; those authorizations would not themselves provide the money.
This Act may be cited as the Civilian Climate Corps for Jobs and Justice Act.
add to and increase the scale of the existing network of service programs to complete clean energy, climate resilience, conservation, environmental remediation, and sustainable infrastructure projects necessary to respond to and solve the climate crisis, while providing education, workforce development, and career pathways to participants, with a focus on historically underserved communities
the Director shall establish the amount of the allowance, except that in no event shall such allowance be less than the equivalent of $20 per hour.
the minimum allowance is not less than an amount equal to the equivalent of $20 per hour over the course of service
Section 147(a) of the National and Community Service Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 12603(a)) is amended by inserting twice before the maximum amount of a Federal Pell Grant.
There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out subtitle K of title I of the National and Community Service Act of 1990, as added by section 3 of this Act
Section 2 presents Congress's proposed findings: climate harms fall disproportionately on some communities, an expanded service network could support a clean-economy workforce, and labor protections could reduce disputes. These are the bill's stated rationale, not demonstrated results of the proposed program.
Congress finds the following:
some communities, particularly low-income communities and communities of color, are disproportionately exposed and vulnerable to climate impacts and pollution.
An existing network of national, State, tribal, and local service and conservation corps can be rapidly scaled and supplemented to mobilize labor, provide job opportunities and career training, and help establish the workforce necessary to accomplish the transition to a clean and just economy.
Such disputes are prevented or minimized when the law effectively protects the right of workers to receive fair compensation and benefits, to form or join unions, to collectively bargain over the terms and conditions of employment, and to engage in other concerted activities for mutual aid or protection.
The bill would add a Civilian Climate Corps to the National and Community Service Act. It would allocate 66% of appropriated Corps funds to a directly operated national service program and 34% to a grant program, including each component's administrative expenses.
Title I of the National and Community Service Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 12511 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following: K Civilian Climate Corps
The Corporation shall establish the Civilian Climate Corps to carry out the purpose of this subtitle.
(1) A national climate service program described in section 199Q, for which 66 percent of the funds appropriated to carry out this subtitle shall be made available for operation and administrative expenses. (2) A national climate service grant program described in section 199R, for which 34 percent of the funds appropriated to carry out this subtitle shall be made available for operation and administrative expenses.
Direct-program applicants would qualify by turning 17 by December 31 of their enrollment year, regardless of immigration status. The Director would have to take appropriate recruitment and selection steps toward having at least 50% of participants come from under-resourced communities of need. Selection would also address economic, geographic, ethnic, gender, and rural representation, with gender and rural representation required to the greatest extent practicable. Service agreements would last nine months to one year and could be renewed once, with a gap permitted between terms.
An individual shall be eligible for selection for the national climate service program if the individual is, or will be, at least 17 years of age on or before December 31 of the calendar year in which the individual enrolls in the program, regardless of immigration status.
the Director shall ensure that eligible participants are from economically, geographically, and ethnically diverse backgrounds. The Director shall take appropriate steps to recruit and select participants such that not less than 50 percent of participants are from under-resourced communities of need.
(3) Gender representation To the greatest extent practicable, the Director shall ensure inclusion and representation of all genders among participants. (4) Rural representation To the greatest extent practicable, the Director shall ensure inclusion and representation of participants from counties with a population of less than 50,000 residents.
Individuals desiring to participate in the national service program shall enter into an agreement with the Director to participate in the Civilian Climate Corps for a period of not less than nine months and not more than one year, as specified by the Director. Individuals may renew the agreement for not more than one additional such period, with any number of years between periods of service.
Direct-program members would work in units that could use campuses as headquarters and, when needed, housing. Housing vouchers and support could be provided when boarding is unavailable. Members would receive opportunities to serve their home communities where practicable and if desired. Experienced team leaders could receive higher living allowances, and campus directors would establish and enforce conduct standards.
Each Civilian Climate Corps member shall be assigned to a unit.
The units of the national climate service program may be grouped together as appropriate in campuses for operational, support, and, when necessary, boarding purposes.
When necessary and appropriate, Civilian Climate Corps members may be housed in the campuses or provided housing vouchers and support in cases where boarding is not possible.
To the extent practicable, the Director shall ensure that participants are provided opportunities to perform service in their communities of origin if desired.
The Director may select individuals with prior supervisory or service experience to be team leaders
the Director may increase the limitation on the amount of the living allowance under section 199S(b) for a team leader.
The campus director of each campus shall establish and enforce standards of conduct
An under-resourced community could qualify through disproportionate environmental or health risks combined with specified community characteristics; location in Indian country; economic transition, industrial decline, and historic underinvestment; or high poverty or unemployment as determined by the Director in consultation with the advisory board and appropriate federal resources identifying environmental justice communities. The bill incorporates an existing statutory definition of Indian country rather than supplying its boundaries.
The term under-resourced community of need means— (A) a community with significant representation of communities of color, low-income communities, or tribal and indigenous communities, that experiences, or is at risk of experiencing, higher or more adverse human health or environmental effects, as compared to other communities; (B) a community in Indian country; (C) a community facing economic transition, deindustrialization, and historic underinvestment; or (D) a community with a high rate of poverty or unemployment, as determined by the Director in consultation with the advisory board and appropriate Federal resources identifying environmental justice communities.
The term Indian country has the meaning given that term in section 1151 of title 18, United States Code.
At least 50% of direct-program labor and investment, and at least 50% of grant-program funds, would support projects based in under-resourced communities. Within each component's funds for those communities, at least 10% would support projects based in Indian country.
The Director shall ensure that not less than 50 percent of Civilian Climate Corps labor and investment under this section supports climate service projects that are based in under-resourced communities of need, of which, not less than 10 percent of such funds for under-resourced communities of need shall support projects that are based in Indian country.
The Director shall ensure that not less than 50 percent of the funds made available to carry out this section (including funds for grants allotted to States and grants awarded to other entities) support climate service projects that are based in under-resourced communities of need, of which not less than 10 percent of such funds for under-resourced communities of need shall support projects that are based in Indian country.
Governments, tribes, nonprofits, labor organizations, federal agencies, and colleges could receive Corps grants. Grants could support projects or subgrants, and federal support could cover the full program cost without matching funds. Unless another law specifically allowed it, an entity could not receive this grant while receiving another national-service grant. The Corporation would provide living allowances, health benefits, and education benefits; partners would provide the other required benefits.
The Director may provide grants under this section to States, subdivisions of States, territories, Indian tribes, public or private nonprofit organizations, labor organizations, Federal agencies, or institutions of higher education.
(1) to carry out a full-time service project described in section 199T; and (2) to make subgrants in support of other entities so long as those other entities use the grant funds to carry out a full-time service project described in section 199T.
The Corporation may provide 100 percent of the cost of carrying out a program that receives assistance under this section
Unless specifically authorized by law, the Corporation may not provide a grant under this section to an entity that is simultaneously receiving another grant authorized under the national service laws.
The Director shall ensure that the Corporation provides participants in a program under this section with the benefits described in subsections (b), (d), and (f) of section 199S. Each Civilian Climate Corps Partner administering a program under this section shall provide participants in that program with the benefits described in section 199S other than those described in subsections (b), (d), and (f) of section 199S.
The grant program would reserve 30% of funds for the State-allotment process and 70% for competitive grants. Approved States would receive population-based allotments, subject to a $600,000 annual minimum. The allotment provision also contains a 5% reservation for tribal grants, although its funding base is not clearly distinguished from the surrounding allocation pools.
(1) Allotment to States (A) In general The Corporation shall reserve 30 percent of the funds made available to carry out this section to allot funds in accordance with this subsection. (B) Indian tribe The Corporation shall reserve 5 percent of the funds made available to carry out this subsection to award grants to Indian tribes.
Subject to clause (ii), of the total amounts made available to carry out this subsection, and not reserved under subparagraph (B) for a fiscal year, the Corporation shall allot to each State that has an approved application an amount that bears the same ratio to such total amounts for that fiscal year as the population of the State bears to the total population of all States.
the minimum grant made available to each State with an approved application for each fiscal year shall be $600,000.
Of the funds made available to carry out this section for a fiscal year, the Corporation shall reserve 70 percent for grants awarded on a competitive basis
Partners would recruit and select their own members, with enrollment limited by funds available to both the partner and the Corporation for projects and benefits. At least half of partners would have no upper participation age limit. Partner service would require at least 1,700 hours per term, and members could serve two terms that need not be consecutive. The text's wording of the service period—“not more 10 to 12 months”—is unclear.
The recruitment and selection of an individual to serve in a climate service project of a Civilian Climate Corps Partner shall be conducted by the entity to which the assistance is provided under subsection (a).
the number of individuals selected to perform each service project implemented by a Civilian Climate Corps Partner does not exceed— (1) the amount of funding available to the applicable Climate Corps Partner to support the project, including the provision of benefits for each such individual; and (2) the amount of funding available to the Corporation to support and provide benefits to those individuals.
not less than 50 percent of the Civilian Climate Corps Partners have no upper age limits for participation.
(1) shall agree to participate in the program sponsoring the position for a term of service that is equal to not less than 1,700 hours during a period of not more 10 to 12 months, as determined by the Partner Corps entity; and (2) may serve in 2 terms of service, which do not need to be consecutive terms.
Grant applicants would need to commit to training, support, community input, benefits, evaluation, and neutrality toward members' organizing. Competitive grants would favor registered apprenticeships and preparatory programs leading into them, with additional priority for specified apprenticeship requirements. Of grant funds awarded to colleges, at least 10% would go to historically Black colleges and universities and at least 10% to other specified minority-serving institutions.
provide participants with the training, skills, and knowledge necessary for the projects that participants are called upon to perform
provide support services to participants
provide in the design, recruitment, and operation of the program for broad-based input from— (i) the community served and potential participants in the program
ensure that any benefits provided by the program meet the minimum requirements set forth in section 199S
(G) apply evaluation and performance goals methods equivalent to those in section 131(d); and (H) remain neutral with respect to the exercise of the right to organize and collectively bargain by Civilian Climate Corps members.
the Director shall give priority to applications from entities that— (i) provide pre-apprenticeship opportunities for participants that result in positions in apprenticeships registered with the Department of Labor or the State apprenticeship agency; or (ii) provide, as part of Civilian Climate Corps programming, apprenticeships registered with the Department of Labor or the State apprenticeship agency.
the Director shall give an additional priority to entities that will— (i) impose utilization requirements for apprenticeships registered under the Act of August 16, 1937
comply with the apprentice to journey worker ratios established for such apprenticeships by the Department of Labor or the State apprenticeship agency, as applicable.
of all funds under this section that are awarded to institutions of higher education— (A) not less than 10 percent of those funds shall be awarded to Historically Black Colleges and Universities (which shall be defined as institutions that are part B institutions under section 322 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1061)); and (B) not less than 10 percent shall be awarded to other minority-serving institutions
Corps members would receive a living allowance equivalent to at least $20 per hour, including training time, with annual increases tied to increases in the national median hourly wage. Construction laborers and mechanics would receive at least the higher of that floor or the federally determined local prevailing wage. Other service workers would receive applicable federal service-contract wage and benefit minimums, without falling below the Corps allowance floor.
The Director shall provide a living allowance to members of the Civilian Climate Corps for the period during which such members are engaged in training or any activity on a Civilian Climate Corps project.
in no event shall such allowance be less than the equivalent of $20 per hour.
The amount of the allowance described in paragraph (1) shall increase yearly by the annual percentage increase, if any, in the median hourly wage of all employees, as determined by the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
in the case of a member who is engaged in construction, alteration, or repair work as a laborer or mechanic under a Civilian Climate Corps project, the Director shall also establish the amount of the allowance of such member at the greater of— (A) the amount that would otherwise apply under paragraphs (1) and (2); or (B) any amount not less than the equivalent of the prevailing wage rate in the locality in which the member is engaged in such project, as determined by the Secretary of Labor
a member of the Civilian Climate Corps who is not subject to paragraph (3) and who is engaged in furnishing services through a project of the Civilian Climate Corps, including such a member who is a routine operations worker or routine maintenance worker, shall (subject to subparagraph (B)) be paid an allowance and receive fringe benefits that are not less than the equivalent of the minimum wage and fringe benefits established in accordance with chapter 67 of title 41, United States Code
In the case the allowance required under subparagraph (A) is less than the amount that would otherwise apply under paragraphs (1) and (2), the allowance of a member described in subparagraph (A) shall be not less than the amount that would otherwise apply under such paragraphs.
During service, a member without equivalent coverage from another source would qualify for a health benefit equal to the annual premium for a gold-level marketplace plan covering the member and dependents. The benefit would require purchasing a plan through the member's State health insurance marketplace.
Each member of the Civilian Climate Corps shall be entitled to the health care benefit described in paragraph (2) for the duration of the participant's terms of service, as long as the member does not receive an equivalent benefit from a different source.
an amount equal to the annual premium for a gold level health plan for the member and any of the member’s dependents purchased on the American Health Benefit Exchange in the member’s State of residence, provided the member purchases a plan on the American Health Benefit Exchange.
After completing a service term, members would receive an education benefit capped at $25,000 per term for qualifying college expenses or qualified student-loan repayment. They would not also qualify for the separate national-service education award under subtitle D.
Upon completion of a term of service with the Civilian Climate Corps, a member shall be entitled to receive an amount equal to not more than $25,000 for each term of service, which the member shall apply to— (A) tuition and related expenses at an institution of higher education, as defined in section 101 and 102(a)(1)(B) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1001; 1002(a)(1)(B)); or (B) the repayment of a qualified student loan as defined in section 148(b)(7).
A Civilian Climate Corps member shall not be eligible for the national service educational award described in subtitle D.
Members would receive housing, food, transportation, equipment, uniforms, supplies, and expense allowances when necessary for Corps activities, as the Director determines appropriate. Child care, counseling, and other support would also be provided when needed, subject to the Director's determination.
While active as members of the Civilian Climate Corps, members shall be provided the following benefits when necessary to complete Corps activity, as the Director determines appropriate: (1) Allowances for travel expenses, personal expenses, and other expenses. (2) Quarters. (3) Subsistence. (4) Transportation. (5) Equipment. (6) Uniforms. (7) Supplies. (8) Other services determined by the Director to be consistent with the purposes of the Program.
Each member of the Civilian Climate Corps shall be provided with child care services, counseling services, and other supportive services when needed, as the Director determines appropriate.
Eligible work would include building energy improvements, efficient affordable housing, public transit and electric-vehicle infrastructure, clean energy installations, and broadband expansion connected to the renewable-energy transition. Pollution-related projects could include lead cleanup, stormwater infrastructure, recycling, and local food systems. These are authorized project types, not guaranteed outcomes.
(1) Reducing carbon emissions, which may include— (A) weatherizing and retrofitting residential and non-residential buildings for energy efficiency and electrification and participating in the construction of new net-zero buildings; (B) maintenance and operation of energy-efficient and net-zero buildings and properties; (C) building energy-efficient affordable housing units
(F) installing and upgrading public transit and electric vehicle infrastructure; and (G) installing clean energy infrastructure in homes and small businesses, on farms, and in communities.
(2) Enabling a coordinated transition to renewable energy, which may include— (A) advising on climate and energy policy; (B) providing clean energy-related services; and (C) expanding broadband access and adoption.
(B) assisting in the development of local recycling and composting programs
(E) remediation of the effects of toxins and other hazardous pollution, including lead exposure in drinking water and the home; (F) building and maintaining green stormwater management infrastructure; (G) creating and expanding local and regional food systems
Projects could also address disaster risks, preparedness, recovery, and conservation with scientifically supported climate benefits. The Director could approve additional projects meeting the listed climate and environmental-justice purposes in consultation with the advisory board. Funds could permanently improve property outside federal ownership if Corps members perform the improvement's labor.
(4) Mitigating the effects of disasters and other trends related to climate change
(5) Preparing communities for disaster
(6) Recovering from disasters
(7) Developing and implementing conservation projects with climate benefits that are proven using the best available science
(8) Additional projects to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to keep temperatures below 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrialized levels, tackle pollution to promote environmental justice, and build community prosperity and resilience in the face of the climate crisis and economic transitions, as determined by the Director and in consultation with the advisory board.
are permitted to expend funds under this subtitle that make permanent improvement to real property not owned by the United States Government, as long as labor for that improvement is undertaken by Civilian Climate Corps members.
Every member would receive two to six weeks of common training, project-specific skills training, and at least four weeks of career and technical training. Training hours would count as service and toward the living allowance. The career training could occur alongside Corps activities.
Each member of the Civilian Climate Corps shall be provided with between two and six weeks of training that includes a comprehensive service-leaning curriculum designed to promote team building, leadership, citizenship, and environmental stewardship.
Members of the Civilian Climate Corps shall receive advanced training in basic, project-specific skills that the members will use in performing their community service projects.
Time undertaken in training shall be considered part of the service performed by members of the Civilian Climate Corps, and the living allowance authorized in section 199S(b) shall incorporate training hours into wage calculations.
Each member of the Civilian Climate Corps shall be provided with at least 4 weeks of training to improve job prospects in the clean economy workforce.
Training may be separate or alongside Corps activities
Former members who do not become full-time students would receive nine to twelve months of career follow-up services. The Director would collect career-progression information and coordinate training with local workforce needs, including apprenticeship pathways. These services would support career development without guaranteeing employment.
Following the termination of service, members of the Civilian Climate Corps who do not enroll as full-time students shall receive between 9 and 12 months of follow-up services to encourage career progression, in a manner determined by the Director.
The Director shall collect information about the career progression of former members of the Civilian Climate Corps.
make training specific to local workforce and labor market needs, including coordination and partnerships with other entities including local labor groups and career and technical education schools
entities receiving funds under this subtitle prioritize the formation of relationships with local apprenticeship programs and the creation of pre-apprenticeship pipelines.
Service contractors on direct-program projects would be treated as federal contractors for the referenced service-contract law. They would have to pay local prevailing wages and benefits, or applicable collectively bargained rates. The direct program could cooperate only with entities pledging neutrality in organizing and recognition and bargaining when a majority of the relevant workers provide written union authorization.
Any contractor or subcontractor entering into a service contract in connection with a project carried out under this section shall— (1) be treated as a Federal contractor or subcontractor for purposes of chapter 67 of title 41, United States Code; and (2) pay each class of employee employed by the contractor or subcontractor wages and fringe benefits at rates in accordance with prevailing rates for the class in the locality, or, where a collective bargaining agreement covers the employee, in accordance with the rates provided for in the agreement, including prospective wage increases provided for in the agreement.
(A) enter into agreements and cooperation only with entities that pledge to remain neutral in labor organizing efforts among employees who participate in activities related to the agreement or cooperation with the Civilian Climate Corps; and (B) enter into agreements and cooperation only with entities that recognize for collective bargaining purposes, and commit to collectively bargain with, any labor organization that has a written majority authorization among employees who participate in activities related to the agreement or cooperation with the Civilian Climate Corps.
Direct-program purchasing would favor U.S.-produced materials to the maximum extent practicable. Under that same qualification, at least 25% of procured food and agricultural commodities would be grown and processed within 250 miles of consumption, with a priority for specified producers and small businesses. Relevant grant-program construction would follow the referenced Build America, Buy America law. Activities affecting people in Indian country would require consultation and protection of tribal sovereignty and conservation efforts.
To the maximum extent practicable, the Director shall ensure that— (1) the materials used to carry out projects under this section are substantially manufactured, mined, and produced in the United States in accordance with chapter 83 of title 41, United States Code (commonly known as the Buy American Act); and (2) when food and other agriculture commodities are procured for activities carried out under this section, at least 25 percent shall be grown and processed within 250 miles of consumption, with a priority for procuring food produced and processed by socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers and small businesses.
Relevant projects constructed under this section shall comply with the Build America, Buy America Act
Civilian Climate Corps activities carried out under the national climate service program that affect individuals in Indian country are carried out in a manner that ensures that— (1) the sovereignty of Indian tribes and their conservation efforts are maintained; and (2) the national climate service program operates in consultation with the affected individuals in Indian country.
Civilian Climate Corps activities carried out under this section that affect individuals in Indian country are carried out in a manner that ensures that— (i) the sovereignty of Indian tribes and their conservation efforts are maintained; and (ii) the activities are carried out in consultation with the affected individuals in Indian country.
The Corporation's Chief Executive Officer would supervise and evaluate the Corps and appoint its Director. A new advisory board would advise administration, coordinate training and grants, and oversee implementation and reporting. Its membership would include federal officials and representatives of labor, tribes, community organizations, educational institutions, youth, science, and environmental justice organizations.
The Chief Executive Officer shall monitor and supervise the Civilian Climate Corps
evaluate the progress of the Civilian Climate Corps, including programs carried out by the Partner Corps entities
Upon establishment of the Program, the Chief Executive Officer shall appoint a Director.
There shall be established a Civilian Climate Corps Advisory Board to advise the Director concerning the administration of this subtitle
The advisory board members shall help coordinate activities with the national climate service program and national climate service grant program as appropriate, including training coordination and capacity building for grant applications.
(1) The Secretary of Labor. (2) Representatives from at least 2 labor organizations.
(5) At least two individuals appointed by the Director from among persons representative of community organizations in under-resourced communities of need. (6) At least one representative from a Indian tribe or indigenous community.
Individuals appointed by the Director from among persons who are broadly representative of educational institutions, voluntary organizations, public and private organizations, youth, scientific experts, and environmental justice organizations.
The advisory board shall oversee effective implementation of the Civilian Climate Corps in accordance with the Climate Corps roadmap under section 199Y, which shall include— (A) collecting data and reporting on Corps activity
Corps membership generally would not make someone a federal employee. Direct-program participants in active service would nevertheless be treated as federal employees for specified work-injury compensation and tort-claim liability procedures. Unauthorized absence from an assigned post would not count as duty for the work-injury provision.
Except as otherwise provided in this section, members of the Civilian Climate Corps shall not, by reason of their status as such members, be considered Federal employees or be subject to the provisions of law relating to Federal employment.
For purposes of subchapter I of chapter 81 of title 5, United States Code, relating to the compensation of Federal employees for work injuries, participants in active service in the national climate service program under section 199Q shall be considered as employees of the United States
the person shall not be considered to be in the performance of duty while absent from the person's assigned post of duty unless the absence is authorized in accordance with procedures prescribed by the Director.
A participant in active service in the national climate service program under section 199Q shall be considered an employee of the United States for purposes of chapter 171 of title 28, United States Code, relating to tort claims liability and procedure.
For labor relations, the Corps would be its members' employer. It would have to remain neutral toward organizing and recognize a union supported by written authorization from a majority in an appropriate bargaining group. Members would have a right to strike without discharge, discipline, or permanent replacement. Referenced Postal Service labor rules would apply where consistent with the bill.
The Civilian Climate Corps shall be the employer of its members, and such members shall be the employees of the Civilian Climate Corps, for purposes under this subsection of organizing a labor organization, collective bargaining, and other employee-management relations.
Employee-management relations shall, to the extent not inconsistent with the provisions in this subtitle, be subject to the provisions that apply to the employee-management relations of the United States Postal Service and its employees under part II of title 39, United States Code.
(ii) The Civilian Climate Corps shall remain neutral in any labor organization organizing effort. (iii) The Civilian Climate Corps shall recognize for collective bargaining purposes, and shall collectively bargain with, any labor organization that has a written majority authorization of a unit encompassing all members of the Civilian Climate Corps or any other unit determined appropriate by the National Labor Relations Board. (iv) Members of the Civilian Climate Corps shall have the right to strike, and the Civilian Climate Corps shall not discharge, discipline, or permanently replace members for striking.
Bargaining with a newly recognized or certified union would begin within ten days of its written request unless the parties agreed otherwise. After 90 days without agreement, or a later agreed date, either party could request federal mediation. After 30 days of unsuccessful mediation, the dispute would go to a three-member arbitration panel, unless the parties extended the period. Its decision would bind the parties for two years unless they agreed in writing to changes. Subcontracting to evade a labor agreement's pay, benefit, or working-condition terms would be prohibited.
Not later than 10 days after receiving a written request for collective bargaining from a labor organization that has been newly recognized or certified as a representative under section 9(a) of the National Labor Relations Act (29 U.S.C. 159(a)) of members of the Civilian Climate Corps, or within such further period as the parties agree upon, the parties shall meet and commence to bargain collectively
If the parties have failed to reach an agreement before the date that is 90 days after the date on which bargaining is commenced under paragraph (2), or any later date agreed upon by both parties, either party may notify the Director of the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service of the existence of a dispute and request mediation.
If the Director of the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service is not able to bring the parties to agreement by mediation or conciliation before the date that is 30 days after the date on which such mediation or conciliation is commenced, or any later date agreed upon by both parties, the Director of the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service shall refer the dispute to a tripartite arbitration panel
with one member selected by the labor organization, one member selected by the Civilian Climate Corps, and one neutral member mutually agreed to by the parties.
such decision shall be binding upon the parties for a period of 2 years, unless amended during such period by written consent of the parties.
The Civilian Climate Corps, and any recipient of funding under section 199R, may not engage in subcontracting for the purpose of circumventing the terms of a collective bargaining agreement with respect to wages, benefits, or working conditions.
A required implementation plan would set direct-program positions at 50,000, 100,000, 175,000, 275,000, and 400,000 for fiscal years 2027 through 2031, respectively. Grant-program positions would be 25,000, 50,000, 85,000, 140,000, and 200,000 for those years. Establishing these positions would depend on appropriations and suitable service opportunities.
The Chief Executive Officer shall, with guidance from the advisory board, establish a roadmap for the Civilian Climate Corps program
(A) establish the number of positions in the national climate service program of the Civilian Climate Corps as— (i) 50,000 for the fiscal year 2027; (ii) 100,000 for the fiscal year 2028; (iii) 175,000 for the fiscal year 2029; (iv) 275,000 for the fiscal year 2030; and (v) 400,000 for the fiscal year 2031; (B) establish the number of positions in the national climate service grant program of the Civilian Climate Corps as— (i) 25,000 for the fiscal year 2027; (ii) 50,000 for the fiscal year 2028; (iii) 85,000 for the fiscal year 2029; (iv) 140,000 for the fiscal year 2030; and (v) 200,000 for the fiscal year 2031
Subject to the availability of appropriations and quality service opportunities, the Corporation shall implement the Climate Corps roadmap, including establishing the positions described in subsection (b)(1).
Existing AmeriCorps State and National priorities would have to favor applications for climate-response and clean-economy activities described in the bill. Similar priorities would apply to AmeriCorps NCCC and VISTA for fiscal years 2027 through 2036. The State and National amendment does not specify that same end date.
The Corporation shall include, in the national service priorities, the priorities described in paragraph (5).
Each State shall include, in the State priorities, the priorities described in paragraph (5).
the Corporation and the States, as appropriate, shall give priority to entities submitting applications that propose activities directly related to the response to the climate crisis and transition to a clean economy, as described in section 199T.
(2) Americorps NCCC Section 157(b)(1) of the National and Community Service Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 12617(b)(1)) is amended by adding at the end the following: (C) Priority Projects For fiscal years 2027 through 2036
(3) Americorps VISTA Section 109 of the Domestic Volunteer Service Act of 1973 (42 U.S.C. 4960) is amended by adding at the end the following: For fiscal years 2027 through 2036
The existing volunteer subsistence-allowance provision would require a minimum equivalent to $20 per hour. Its average allowance, excluding Hawaii, Guam, American Samoa, and Alaska, would have to be at least 10% above that minimum. A separate national-service allowance provision would replace its poverty-line-based limit with a range equivalent to $20–$34 per hour over the service period.
Section 105(b)(2) of the Domestic Volunteer Service Act of 1973 (42 U.S.C. 4955(b)(2)) is amended to read as follows: (2) The Director shall set the subsistence allowance for volunteers under paragraph (1) for each fiscal year so that— (A) the minimum allowance is not less than an amount equal to the equivalent of $20 per hour over the course of service; and (B) the average subsistence allowance, excluding allowances for Hawaii, Guam, American Samoa, and Alaska, is not less than 10 percent greater than the amount described in subparagraph (A).
Section 158(b) of the National and Community Service Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 12618(b)) is amended, in the second sentence, by striking any amount not in excess of the amount equal to 100 percent of the poverty line that is applicable to a family of two
inserting any amount not less than the equivalent of $20 per hour over the course of service and not in excess of the equivalent of $34 per hour over the course of service.
For existing national-service education awards, the bill would change the referenced amount from the maximum Federal Pell Grant to twice that maximum. It would also replace “75 percent” with “100 percent” in the cited matching-funds provision. The surrounding statutes are not reproduced, so the bundle does not establish all rules governing either change.
Section 147(a) of the National and Community Service Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 12603(a)) is amended by inserting twice before the maximum amount of a Federal Pell Grant.
(c) Matching funds Section 121(e)(1) of the National and Community Service Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 12571(e)(1)) is amended by striking 75 percent and inserting 100 percent.
Increases in the specified existing volunteer stipends and national-service allowances would be barred unless appropriations were sufficient to increase the relevant program's participant count above the preceding fiscal year's count.
A stipend or allowance under section 105 of the Domestic Volunteer Service Act of 1973 (42 U.S.C. 4955) or an allowance under section 140 of the National and Community Service Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 12594) shall not be increased, unless the funds appropriated for carrying out part A of title I of the Domestic Volunteer Service Act of 1973 (42 U.S.C. 4951 et seq.) or subtitle C of the National and Community Service Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 12571 et seq.), respectively, are sufficient to increase for the fiscal year involved the number of participants to serve under that part A or that subtitle C, respectively, so that such number is greater than the number of such participants so serving during the preceding fiscal year.
For fiscal years 2027–2031, the bill would authorize $91.2 billion for the Corps excluding education and health benefits, $48.9 billion for education benefits, and whatever additional amount is necessary for health benefits. These are funding authorizations, not appropriations that make the money available.
There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out subtitle K of title I of the National and Community Service Act of 1990, as added by section 3 of this Act (excluding the benefits described in paragraphs (2) and (3)), $91,200,000,000 for fiscal years 2027 through 2031.
There are authorized to be appropriated for the educational benefits described in section 199S of the National and Community Service Act of 1990, as added by section 3, $48,900,000,000 for fiscal years 2027 through 2031.
There are authorized to be appropriated for the health care benefits described in section 199S of the National and Community Service Act of 1990, as added by section 3, such sums as may be necessary for fiscal years 2027 through 2031.
Section 5 would also amend existing funding provisions to specify additional amounts for fiscal years 2027–2031: $6.5 billion for AmeriCorps State and National assistance, $3.9 billion for national-service education awards, $6.5 billion for Corporation and State-commission administration, and $1.3 billion each for NCCC and VISTA. The VISTA amendment specifies availability for obligation—legal commitments to spend—through fiscal year 2031.
fiscal years 2027 through 2031, in addition to any amount appropriated before the date of enactment of the Civilian Climate Corps for Jobs and Justice Act, additional amounts of— (A) $6,500,000,000, to provide financial assistance under subtitle C of title I; and (B) $3,900,000,000, to provide national service educational awards under subtitle D of title I
(c) Administration by the corporation and State commissions Section 501(a)(5)(A) of such Act (42 U.S.C. 12681(a)(5)(A)) is amended by striking such sums as may be necessary for each of fiscal years 2010 through 2014. and inserting in addition to any amount appropriated before the date of enactment of the Civilian Climate Corps for Jobs and Justice Act, an additional amount of $6,500,000,000 for fiscal years 2027 through 2031.
(d) Americorps NCCC Section 501(a)(3)(A) of such Act (42 U.S.C. 12681(a)(3)(A)) is amended by striking such sums as may be necessary for each of fiscal years 2010 through 2014. and inserting in addition to any amount appropriated before the date of enactment of the Civilian Climate Corps for Jobs and Justice Act, an additional amount of $1,300,000,000 for fiscal years 2027 through 2031.
(e) Americorps vista Section 501 of the Domestic Volunteer Service Act of 1973 (42 U.S.C. 5081) is amended— (1) in subsection (a)(1), by striking $100,000,000 for fiscal year 2010 and such sums as may be necessary for each of the fiscal years 2011 through 2014. and inserting , in addition to any amount appropriated before the date of enactment of the Civilian Climate Corps for Jobs and Justice Act, an additional amount of $1,300,000,000 for fiscal years 2027 through 2031.
any amount authorized to be appropriated under an amendment made by the Civilian Climate Corps for Jobs and Justice Act shall remain available for obligation through fiscal year 2031.
Section 6 would add national-service education awards and Corps education benefits to specified federal tax provisions concerning education benefits and student-loan repayment exclusions from taxable income. The changes would apply to taxable years ending after enactment. Because the surrounding tax provisions are not reproduced, this text does not establish that every use of an award would be tax-free.
6. Exclusion from gross income of national service educational awards (a) In general Paragraph (2) of section 117(c) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended
(D) subtitle D of title I of the National and Community Service Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 12601 et seq.) as an educational award, or (E) subtitle K of title I of such Act as an educational benefit.
(b) Exclusion of discharge of student loan debt (1) In general Paragraph (4) of section 108(f) of such Code is amended
under subtitle D of title I of the National and Community Service Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 12601 et seq.) as an educational award or under subtitle K of title I of such Act as an educational benefit.
The amendments made by this section shall apply to taxable years ending after the date of the enactment of this Act.
The supplied action snapshot, updated October 5, 2026, records introduction in the House on September 24, 2026, and referral that day to the Education and Workforce and Ways and Means Committees. It does not establish subsequent action or enactment.
Source snapshot updated 2026-10-05T12:48:34Z.
2026-09-24: Introduced in House
2026-09-24: Referred to the Committee on Education and Workforce, and in addition to the Committee on Ways and Means, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
A closer look
Reviewed version: Introduced in House · 2026-09-24. These findings describe provisions and who may benefit; they are not judgments of waste, corruption, or motive.
This review covers the supplied bill text. “None identified” does not rule out provisions in later versions or accompanying reports and disclosures.
Provisions outside the bill’s main subject, or policy changes attached to appropriations.
None identified in the reviewed text
No unrelated rider was identified after reviewing the complete supplied introduced text. This conclusion is limited to that version and does not establish the absence of riders in other versions or accompanying materials.
Spending directed to particular recipients or places outside ordinary competitive or formula-based allocation.
None identified in the reviewed text
No earmark was identified after reviewing the complete supplied introduced text under the stated definition. Program authorizations and statutory allocations do not alone establish earmarks. This conclusion is limited to this version; formal earmark status or provisions in other versions and accompanying materials cannot be established without those sources.
Narrow exceptions, exemptions, or preferential treatment that warrant a closer look.
Findings to examine
The supplied version contains specific preferences and institutional set-asides. Their classification identifies preferential treatment, not misconduct or a judgment about their justification.
Historically Black colleges and universities and other specified minority-serving institutions would each receive at least 10% of Corps grant funds awarded to higher-education institutions. These are institutional set-asides within the broader competitive grant program.
In awarding grants under this section on a competitive basis to institutions of higher education, the Director shall ensure that of all funds under this section that are awarded to institutions of higher education— (A) not less than 10 percent of those funds shall be awarded to Historically Black Colleges and Universities (which shall be defined as institutions that are part B institutions under section 322 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1061)); and (B) not less than 10 percent shall be awarded to other minority-serving institutions (which shall be defined as eligible institutions described in paragraphs (2) through (7) of under section 371(a) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1067q(a))).
Indian tribes would benefit from a specific 5% reservation for tribal grants within the Corps grant-distribution provisions. This is an institutional set-aside supporting participation in the main program. The reference to funds for “this subsection” leaves the precise funding base uncertain; this finding does not resolve that ambiguity.
The Corporation shall reserve 5 percent of the funds made available to carry out this subsection to award grants to Indian tribes.
(k) Distribution of funds (1) Allotment to States (A) In general The Corporation shall reserve 30 percent of the funds made available to carry out this section to allot funds in accordance with this subsection.
(2) Competitive grants Of the funds made available to carry out this section for a fiscal year, the Corporation shall reserve 70 percent for grants awarded on a competitive basis to States, subdivisions of States, territories, Indian tribes, public or private nonprofit organizations, labor organizations, Federal agencies, and institutions of higher education.
Direct-program food purchasing would give priority to socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers and small businesses. It would also favor regional production through a 25% sourcing requirement within 250 miles of consumption. Both operate under the provision's maximum-practicability qualification.
To the maximum extent practicable, the Director shall ensure that—
when food and other agriculture commodities are procured for activities carried out under this section, at least 25 percent shall be grown and processed within 250 miles of consumption, with a priority for procuring food produced and processed by socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers and small businesses.
Members of the community hosting a Corps campus would receive a hiring preference for its campus-director position. This is a local employment preference within program administration.
There shall be a campus director for each campus. The campus director is the head of the campus, and preference shall be given to hiring directors that are members of the community in which a campus is situated.
Full text preserved for this analysis. Legislative record snapshot: Oct 5, 2026. How PlainBill uses AI