July 30, 2026
Mr. Markey (for himself, Mr. Sanders, Mr. Schiff, and Ms. Warren) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions
To establish a Green New Deal for public schools.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,
Section 1. Short title
This Act may be cited as the Green New Deal for Public Schools Act
.
Sec. 2. Table of contents
This table of contents for this Act is as follows:
Sec. 3. Definitions
Except as otherwise expressly provided, in this Act:
(1) BIE terms
The terms BIE schools and schools funded by BIE mean—
(A)
elementary and secondary schools and dormitories operated by the Bureau of Indian Education;
(B)
elementary and secondary schools and dormitories funded by the Bureau of Indian Education and operated pursuant to a grant under the Tribally Controlled Schools Act of 1988 (25 U.S.C. 2501 et seq.); and
(C)
elementary and secondary schools and dormitories funded by the Bureau of Indian Education and operated pursuant to a contract under the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 5301 et seq.).
(2) ESEA terms
The terms child with a disability, elementary school, English learner, paraprofessional, secondary school, local educational agency, and Secretary have the meanings given those terms in section 8101 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7801).
(3) Climate justice
The term climate justice means the fair treatment and meaningful involvement of all people, regardless of race, color, culture, national origin, or income, with respect to the development, implementation, and enforcement of policies and projects to ensure that each person enjoys the same degree of protection from the adverse effects of climate change.
(4) Environmental justice
The term environmental justice means the fair treatment and meaningful involvement of all people, regardless of race, color, culture, national origin, or income, with respect to the development, implementation, and enforcement of environmental laws, regulations, and policies to ensure that each person enjoys—
(A)
the same degree of protection from environmental and health hazards; and
(B)
equal access to any Federal agency action on justice issues related to the environment in order to have a healthy environment in which to live, learn, work, and recreate.
(5) Nonprofit organization
The term nonprofit organization means an organization described in section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 and exempt from taxation under 501(a) of that Code.
(6) Vulnerability ranking
The term vulnerability ranking means the most recent available ranking of each public elementary school and secondary school in the United States based on the Social Vulnerability Index of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry for the Census tract in which the school is located.
Sec. 4. Social Vulnerability Index of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
(a) In general
Not later than 90 days after the date of enactment of this Act, and not less frequently than once every 2 years thereafter, the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shall update the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry Social Vulnerability Index (referred to in this Act as the CDC SVI) based on the most recent data available from the American Community Survey as administered by the Census Bureau. In updating the CDC SVI, the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shall use the same methodology as was in effect for the most recent release of the CDC SVI before the date of enactment of this Act.
(b) Report to Congress
The Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shall, not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, and every 2 years thereafter, submit to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions of the Senate and the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House of Representatives a report summarizing the methodology utilized for the CDC SVI and outlining any challenges associated with data collection or reporting.
Title I Climate capital facilities grants, resource block grants, and educational equity grants
Sec. 101. General provisions
(a) Creation of new office at the Department of Education
There is established in the Department of Education, an Office of Sustainable Schools, which shall—
(1)
administer the resource block grant program under section 103 and the educational equity grant program under section 104; and
(2)
in close collaboration with the Department of Energy, the Environmental Protection Agency, and the Department of Agriculture, coordinate the activities of those grant programs with—
(A)
the activities of the climate capital facilities grant program under section 102, administered by the Secretary of Energy; and
(B)
the activities of the climate change resiliency program under title II.
(b) Resource allocation plan
Each applicant for a grant under this title shall submit with their application a resource allocation plan, which shall include—
(1)
a detailed explanation of how the grant funds will be spent; and
(2)
an implementation strategy, which shall be developed after a community-engaged planning process, with representation from educators, principals, administrators, students, parents, school boards, caregivers, Indian Tribes (where applicable), and community organizations that have documented experience as local providers and partners, and which shall include—
(A)
an outline of the applicant's goals to address environmental, economic, and educational equity in the projects and activities supported by the grant funds;
(B)
annual benchmarks to measure the applicant's progress toward meeting those goals;
(C)
a plan to ensure that, to the greatest extent practicable, not less than 30 percent of all jobs funded by the grant will be—
(i)
filled by individuals hired through an equitable local community-based hiring process, especially individuals who reside in the same catchment area as students attending the school in which those individuals will work, or individuals who previously attended the school in which those individuals will work; or
(ii)
filled by individuals who reside in a ZIP Code served by the local educational agency receiving the grant or in a neighboring ZIP Code;
(D)
as applicable, a commitment to local hiring from businesses, nonprofit organizations, and cooperatives (including worker cooperatives) in a manner that contributes to the implementation strategy, advances the economic and social empowerment of traditionally disadvantaged individuals and communities (including low-income and low-wealth individuals and communities), and creates opportunities for—
(i)
people of color;
(ii)
immigrants, regardless of immigrant status;
(iii)
formerly incarcerated individuals;
(iv)
women;
(v)
LGBTQIAP+ individuals;
(vi)
individuals with disabilities or chronic illness;
(vii)
young or elderly individuals;
(viii)
young adults exiting the foster care system; and
(ix)
unhoused individuals; and
(E)
a plan to ensure the greatest practicable number of training opportunities within schools benefitting from grant funds under this Act.
(c) Documentation
(1) In General
Each recipient of a grant under this title shall document the recipient's progress toward meeting the resource allocation plan goals over the course of the grant period on a public digitized platform, which may be an existing public dashboard, data center, or information hub of a public website.
(2) Requirements
A grant recipient shall establish and maintain a public digitized platform for the purposes described in this subsection if one has not already been established on the date of the grant award.
(3) Accessible data
Each recipient of a grant under this title shall ensure that data described in this subsection and presented on the public digitized platform—
(A)
is accessible to individuals in multiple languages (as applicable to the relevant community);
(B)
is accessible to individuals with different literacy levels;
(C)
complies with the most recent Web Content Accessibility Guidelines of the Web Accessibility Initiative, or successor guidelines; and
(D)
is standardized.
(d) Bureau of Indian Education
(1) In general
The Secretary of Education and the Secretary of Energy, as applicable, in conjunction with the Secretary of the Interior, shall reserve a sufficient amount of grant funding and additional administrative expenses, for each grant program authorized under this title, for the Bureau of Indian Education to fully carry out the applicable grant activities at all BIE schools and schools funded by BIE, which shall include providing any necessary technical assistance to assist a BIE school or school funded by BIE in creating a resource allocation plan or meeting other grant requirements in collaboration with the applicable Indian Tribe and community members.
(2) Ensuring sovereignty and self-determination
The Secretary of Education, the Secretary of Energy, and the Secretary of the Interior shall ensure that the administration of funds reserved under paragraph (1) and provision of technical assistance under paragraph (1) is carried out in accordance with principles of Indian Tribal sovereignty and self-determination.
Sec. 102. Climate capital facilities grants
(a) Definitions
In this section:
(1) Eligible entity
The term eligible entity means a—
(A)
a local educational agency, consortia of local educational agencies, or a State educational agency that is applying on behalf of 1 or more public schools ranked as one of the 1/3 most vulnerable schools in the United States, based on the most recent available vulnerability ranking;
(B)
a BIE school; or
(C)
a school funded by BIE.
(2) Healthy green retrofit
The term healthy green retrofit, with respect to a facility, means the holistic modification of the entire facility to remove health harms, eliminate greenhouse gas emissions, and ensure a safe, accessible, and comfortable environment, including through measures that achieve or convert the facility to address the following goals:
(A)
Optimal air quality.
(B)
Detoxification of air, water, and materials.
(C)
Enhanced light quality.
(D)
Improved energy efficiency.
(E)
Improved water quality and efficiency.
(F)
Safe and effective wastewater treatment.
(G)
Electrification and decarbonization.
(H)
Optimized energy management.
(I)
Distributed renewable energy.
(J)
Structural integrity.
(K)
Resilience to the impacts of climate change and natural hazards.
(L)
Comfort and accessibility for all users of the facility, including temperature control.
(3) Healthy zero-carbon school
The term healthy zero-carbon school means a public school, BIE school, or school funded by BIE—
(A)
with highly energy-efficient facilities that produce onsite, or procure, sufficient carbon-free and pollution-free renewable energy to meet the total annual energy consumption of the public school, BIE school, or school funded by BIE;
(B)
that does not contain any asbestos, mold, fungus, lead, polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB), or other contaminant identified as high-priority by the Office of Sustainable Schools;
(C)
the space heating, water heating, and lighting systems of which are all-electric;
(D)
the food service facilities of which use all-electric systems that include contemporary induction burners and convection stoves;
(E)
that has installed onsite renewable energy, including solar photovoltaic systems, batteries, flywheels, compressed air systems, pumped hydroelectric systems, thermal energy storage systems, and any other technologies that provide distributed renewable energy generation, energy storage, and resilience to extreme weather events, whenever conditions permit;
(F)
that continuously provides clean air, clean water, and a comfortable learning and working environment, including with respect to temperature;
(G)
that integrates natural and mechanical systems for natural daylight, views to the outdoors, and operable windows;
(H)
that provides full accessibility in compliance with—
(i)
the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 12101 et seq.); and
(ii)
applicable provisions of section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. 794); and
(I)
that is designed to promote a safe, inclusive, and welcoming environment for all students and staff.
(4) National Laboratory
The term National Laboratory has the meaning given the term in section 2 of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (42 U.S.C. 15801).
(5) Public school
The term public school means—
(A)
a public elementary school; and
(B)
a public secondary school.
(6) Secretary
The term Secretary means the Secretary of Energy, acting through the Assistant Secretary for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy.
(b) Establishment
Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary, in coordination with the Secretary of Education, shall establish program under which the Secretary shall provide grants to eligible entities—
(1)
to conduct healthy green retrofits at facilities of the eligible entities to convert existing public schools, BIE schools, or schools funded by BIE into healthy zero-carbon schools; and
(2)
to construct new, healthy zero-carbon schools, subject to the condition that each new, healthy zero-carbon school so constructed shall be located not less than 2,500 feet from any oil or gas wells in the vicinity of the healthy zero-carbon school.
(c) Application
(1) In general
An eligible entity desiring a grant under subsection (b) shall submit an application to the Secretary at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Secretary may reasonably require, including a resource allocation plan described in section 101(b).
(2) Grantee support
(A) Outreach
The Secretary, in coordination with the Secretary of Education and the Secretary of the Interior, shall conduct an outreach campaign not later than 3 months prior to the end of a grant competition under this section that—
(i)
notifies all State educational agencies, local educational agencies, public schools, BIE schools, and schools funded by BIE that meet applicable criteria for eligibility to apply for a grant under this section; and
(ii)
increases public awareness amongst students, parents, families, teachers, principals, other school leaders, facilities staff, and experts in healthy green retrofits about such grant competition.
(3) Technical assistance
On request of an eligible entity applying for a grant under this section, the Secretary of Education shall provide to the eligible entity technical assistance to develop the resource allocation plan required under section 101(b).
(4) Approval
The Secretary shall approve each application that meets the requirements of this section. In the case of an application that does not meet such requirements, the Secretary shall consult with the eligible entity and shall provide technical assistance, as necessary, to ensure that the eligible entity meets such requirements.
(d) Allocation of grant funds
(1) In general
Subject to paragraph (2), the Secretary shall provide to each eligible entity that submits an application approved by the Secretary under subsection (c) a grant in accordance with this section.
(2) Allocation
(A) In general
The Secretary shall allocate grant funds to eligible entities described in paragraph (1)—
(i)
in the case of a healthy green retrofit project described in subsection (b)(1), in accordance with the formula established under paragraph (3), subject to the conditions described in subparagraph (B); and
(ii)
in the case of a new, healthy zero-carbon schools project described in subsection (b)(2), in a manner determined by the Secretary of Education.
(B) Conditions for healthy green retrofit projects
In allocating grant funding to carry out projects described in subsection (b)(1), the Secretary shall make allocations as follows:
(i)
The amount of a grant provided under this section to an eligible entity that uses such amount to serve a public school ranked as one of the 1/3 most vulnerable schools in the United States, based on the most recent available vulnerability ranking, a local educational agency applying on behalf of such a school, or any BIE school or school funded by BIE, shall be sufficient to cover 100 percent of cost of carrying out a project described in subsection (b)(1).
(ii)
The amount of a grant provided under this section to an eligible entity that uses such amount to serve a public school ranked as one of the 1/3 least vulnerable schools in the United States, based on the most recent available vulnerability ranking, or a local educational agency applying on behalf of such a school, shall be sufficient to cover 1/3 of the cost of carrying out a project described in subsection (b)(1).
(C) Loans
(i) In general
An eligible entity described in clause (ii) of subparagraph (B) may submit to the Secretary an application for a no-interest or low-interest loan to cover any remaining costs of carrying out a project described in subsection (b)(1).
(ii) Limitation
The total amount of loans provided by the Secretary under clause (i) shall be not more than $446,000,000,000.
(3) Funding formula
(A) In general
Subject to subparagraph (B), the Secretary shall establish a formula for purposes of paragraph (2)(A)(i), based on the results of the initial audit conducted under subsection (g)(1)(A).
(B) Revisions
After each subsequent audit is conducted under subsection (g)(1)(B), the Secretary shall revise the formula established under subparagraph (A), based on the results of that audit.
(e) Use of grant funds
(1) In general
A recipient of a grant under this section shall use the grant—
(A)
to conduct healthy green retrofits to convert 1 or more facilities to a healthy zero-carbon school as soon as practicable after receiving the grant funds; or
(B)
to construct a new, healthy zero-carbon school.
(2) Activities to support school safety, security, and a welcoming school environment
(A) In general
In carrying out activities to comply with paragraph (1), a grant recipient shall—
(i)
consider and seek to incorporate, to the greatest extent practicable, design and construction strategies to promote safety and security, support accessibility, prevent violence, promote a sense of belonging, improve student mental health and physical well-being, and foster a positive, inclusive, and welcoming school culture and environment, including through evidence-based, trauma-informed physical updates, such as—
(I)
access control measures;
(II)
internal door locks;
(III)
appropriate lighting, including natural daylight;
(IV)
noise, temperature, and odor control;
(V)
spaces for storytelling, collaboration, connection, play, and movement;
(VI)
student-curated displays;
(VII)
clear wayfinding;
(VIII)
design principles to facilitate high-quality emergency response or planning; and
(IX)
other design and construction measures; and
(ii)
engage students, parents, educators, and school staff early in the design process.
(B) Limitation
A grant recipient may not use grant funds under this section—
(i)
for measures that subject students to potential penalties imposed by law enforcement, unduly surveil students, or otherwise detract from a positive, inclusive, and welcoming school culture and environment; and
(ii)
for measures that would reduce the accessibility of the school environment for children with disabilities.
(3) Additional authorized uses
After complying with paragraph (1), a recipient of a grant under this section may use the grant to pursue other projects, consistent with the goals of a healthy green retrofit, and in doing so, is encouraged to install green rooftops that reduce stormwater runoff and maximize urban island heat effect reduction benefits. Such rooftops shall meet the minimum performance standard specified within the Living Architecture Performance Tool (LAPT) rating system, and shall be implemented or completed in consultation with at least one Green Roof Professional (GRP) as accredited by the Green Roof Industry Association.
(4) Solar PV systems
A recipient of a grant under this section is encouraged to use the grant to purchase and install 1 or more solar photovoltaic systems to maximize returns, rather than leasing roof space to other individuals or entities.
(5) Efficiency standards
In carrying out a project using a grant provided under this section, an eligible entity shall carry out reasonable measures to meet the following energy efficiency standards, as applicable:
(A)
For a new construction project, design and operate the applicable facility—
(i)
to achieve—
(I)
a site energy use intensity equal to or less than 25 kBtu/sf/year; or
(II)
an Energy Star score of 90; and
(ii)
to offset not less than 30 percent of energy consumption with onsite renewable energy.
(B)
For a project to modify an existing facility, design and operate the facility—
(i)
to achieve—
(I)
a site energy use intensity equal to or less than 35 kBtu/sf/year; or
(II)
an Energy Star score of 70; and
(ii)
to offset not less than 20 percent of energy consumption with onsite renewable energy.
(6) Additional standards
In carrying out a project using a grant provided under this section, an eligible entity shall adhere to the applicable guidance contained in—
(A)
the design guide of the American Society of Heating, Refrigeration and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) entitled Achieving Zero Energy—Advanced Energy Design Guide for K–12 School Buildings
; and
(B)
the document of the National Renewable Energy Laboratory entitled A Guide to Zero Energy and Zero Energy Ready K–12 Schools
.
(f) Measurements and assessments
(1) In general
On conclusion of a healthy green retrofit or construction project funded by a grant under this section, the applicable eligible entity shall submit to the Secretary a measurement and assessment of the energy performance of each facility affected by the project, as determined—
(A)
before and after the project; and
(B)
based on standards agreed to by the eligible entity and the Secretary.
(2) Publication
The Secretary shall make all data submitted under paragraph (1) relating to performance changes publicly available to enable subsequent healthy green retrofit project sponsors to learn from, and improve on, the processes and technologies used (except that such data shall not be required to be publicly available in the case of a school funded by the BIE).
(g) Comprehensive audits of healthy green retrofit needs
(1) Audits
(A) Initial audit
Not later than 180 days after the date on which the Office of Sustainable Schools is established under section 101(a), the Secretary, working jointly with the head of the Office of Sustainable Schools, shall complete an audit of a representative sample of public schools, BIE schools, and schools funded by BIE across the United States to identify healthy green retrofit needs.
(B) Subsequent audits
After the initial audit is completed under subparagraph (A), the Secretary, working jointly with the head of the Office of Sustainable Schools, periodically shall complete an audit of all public schools, BIE schools, and schools funded by BIE across the United States to identify healthy green retrofit needs.
(2) Requirement
Each audit under paragraph (1) shall take into account—
(A)
local climatic conditions and risk of natural disasters;
(B)
regional variation of energy costs;
(C)
the high capital needs of public schools served by local educational agencies that enroll a high percentage of low-income children, BIE schools, and schools funded by BIE;
(D)
regional labor costs and labor markets; and
(E)
other necessary criteria, as determined by the Secretary.
(h) Consultations
In administering the grant program established under subsection (b) and conducting each audit under subsection (g)(1), the Secretary shall collaborate closely with, and seek technical assistance from—
(1)
the National Laboratories, particularly the National Renewable Energy Laboratory;
(2)
the Environmental Protection Agency; and
(3)
other Federal departments and agencies, as the Secretary determines to be necessary.
(i) Design guide
The Secretary shall encourage the National Renewable Energy Laboratory to develop a new design guide for schools that takes into account best practices and lessons learned from the implementation of the grant program established under subsection (b).
(j) Labor standards
(1) Labor and Buy American provisions
(A) In general
Each contractor or subcontractor for a project funded by a grant under this section shall carry out the following:
(i)
Ensure that the materials used by the contractor or subcontractor 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
).
(ii)
Ensure that all laborers and mechanics employed by the contractor or subcontractor in the performance of construction, alteration, repair, or maintenance work financed in whole or in part with assistance under this section shall be paid wages at rates not less than those prevailing on similar construction in the locality, as determined by the Secretary of Labor, in accordance with subchapter IV of chapter 31 of title 40, United States Code (commonly known as the Davis-Bacon Act
). With respect to the labor standards in this clause, the Secretary of Labor shall have the authority and functions set forth in Reorganization Plan Numbered 14 of 1950 (64 Stat. 1267; 5 U.S.C. App.) and section 3145 of title 40, United States Code.
(iii)
With respect to a project or set of projects located in the same local educational agency costing not less than $25,000,000, consent to a project labor agreement.
(iv)
Not hire employees through a temporary staffing agency unless the relevant State workforce agency certifies that temporary employees are necessary to address an acute, short-term labor demand.
(v)
Have an explicit neutrality policy on any issue involving the organization of employees of the contractor or subcontractor, and all contractors and subcontractors, for purposes of collective bargaining.
(vi)
For each project related to a healthy green retrofit or new construction of a school, demonstrate an ability to use and to commit to use individuals enrolled in a registered apprenticeship program who shall, to the greatest extent practicable, constitute not less than 20 percent of the individuals working on the project.
(vii)
To the greatest extent practicable, provide preferential treatment in hiring laborers and mechanics that are—
(I)
hired from within 50 miles of their official residence;
(II)
veterans or active or retired military;
(III)
highly skilled union workers; or
(IV)
returning citizens who were formerly incarcerated individuals.
(viii)
Not require mandatory arbitration for any dispute involving a worker engaged in a service for the contractor or subcontractor.
(ix)
Consider an individual performing any service under the grant as an employee, and not an independent contractor, of the contractor or subcontractor, respectively, unless—
(I)
the individual is free from control and direction in connection with the performance of the service, both under the contract for the performance of the service and in fact;
(II)
the service is performed outside the usual course of the business of the contractor or subcontractor, respectively; and
(III)
the individual is customarily engaged in an independently established trade, occupation, profession, or business of the same nature as that involved in such service.
(B) Action to enforce independent contractor requirement
A third party, including a State or local government, may bring an action in any court of competent jurisdiction to enforce the requirements of subparagraph (A)(ix).
(2) Pre-apprenticeship
To the greatest extent practicable, in carrying out a project funded by a grant under this section, grant recipients shall give preference to contractors or subcontractors that participate in pre-apprenticeship programs that have written agreements with one or more registered apprenticeship programs.
(k) Authorization of appropriations; mandatory appropriations
Out of funds in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated, there are authorized to be appropriated, and there are appropriated to carry out this section for the 10-fiscal-year period following the date of enactment of this Act—
(1)
$446,000,000,000 to the Secretary to carry out grants authorized under subsection (b); and
(2)
such sums as are necessary to the Secretary for administrative expenses and the provision of technical assistance in carrying out this section.
Sec. 103. Resource block grants
(a) Program established
(1) In general
The Secretary of Education shall award a grant to each qualified local educational agency with an approved application to enable the qualified local educational agency to bring additional eligible educators and support staff into elementary schools and secondary schools and establish community partnerships, and carry out other activities described in this section, with the goals of—
(A)
expanding educational opportunities and improving academic achievement;
(B)
expanding social service programming;
(C)
developing locally designed and rooted educational programs;
(D)
developing and implementing trauma-informed violence prevention strategies;
(E)
promoting safe, secure, and welcoming school and community environments;
(F)
strengthening the educator pipeline, improving teacher professional development, and diversifying the teacher and school leader workforce;
(G)
improving student engagement and decreasing chronic absenteeism;
(H)
better integrating knowledge of the local community into schools; and
(I)
providing support, training, and career pathways for paraprofessionals.
(2) Consultation and integration
(A) Consultation by the Secretary
The Secretary of Education shall consult with States and Indian Tribes, as appropriate, in administering the grant program under this section. During such consultation, the Secretary of Education shall strongly encourage the States to integrate the locally designed and rooted educational programs, developed under paragraph (1) (as applicable), into State educational plans and activities, and to support, replicate, and disseminate such educational programs, as appropriate.
(B) Consultation by LEAs
A local educational agency that receives a grant under this section shall consult with the Secretary of Education, the State educational agency, and Indian Tribes (as applicable) in implementing such grant.
(3) Qualified local educational agency
In this section, the term qualified local educational agency means—
(A)
a local educational agency that serves 1 or more elementary schools or secondary schools that are ranked as one of the 1/3 most vulnerable schools in the United States, based on the most recent available vulnerability ranking;
(B)
a local educational agency that serves elementary schools or secondary schools that are in the bottom 1/3 of all schools in the State when ranked by student-to-staff ratios from lowest to highest ratios based on the most recent data from the National Center for Education Statistics; or
(C)
a BIE school or school funded by BIE.
(4) Additional local educational agencies
Notwithstanding paragraph (1), if funding under this section remains after the Secretary of Education has awarded grants to each qualified local educational agency that submits an application under this section, in amounts that are sufficient to meet the needs of those agencies, the Secretary of Education shall award grants under this section to other local educational agencies that are not qualified local educational agencies, in accordance with the priority requirements described in subsection (b)(3).
(b) Application
(1) In general
A local educational agency desiring a grant under this section shall submit an application to the Secretary of Education, at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Secretary of Education may reasonably require, which shall include the following:
(A)
The resource allocation plan described in section 101.
(B)
A description of the local educational agency’s plan to attempt to hire eligible educators and support staff who, in accordance with section 101(b)(2)(C)—
(i)
reside in the same catchment area as students attending the school in which those eligible educators and support staff will work, or who previously attended the school in which the educators and staff will work; or
(ii)
reside in the same ZIP Code, or a neighboring ZIP Code, as the school in which the educators and staff will work.
(C)
An assurance that after the 10-year period during which grant funds will pay for the eligible educator and support staff positions described in this section, the local educational agency will—
(i)
retain those positions, and a description of the local educational agency's plan to fund those positions after such period; and
(ii)
attempt to maintain and continue to fund community partnerships supported by such grant, to the extent that the other entities in those partnerships desire to continue the activities supported with grant funds.
(D)
A description of the local educational agency's plan to—
(i)
aim to meet target student-to-staff ratios of 12:1 for students in kindergarten through grade 8, and 15:1 for students in grades 9 through 12 (where staff is defined broadly to refer to any adult professional employed in the school whose work directly relates to education, including the eligible educators and support staff described in this section);
(ii)
aim to place a lead teacher and paraprofessional in all prekindergarten through grade 3 classes;
(iii)
aim to hire at least 1 full-time equivalent school psychologist for every 500 students, at least 1 full-time equivalent school counselor for every 250 students, and at least 1 full-time equivalent school social worker for every 250 students served by the agency; and
(iv)
where applicable, aim to shift special educators from a caseload model to a workload analysis model to ensure sufficient capacity and time to support students.
(E)
A description of the local educational agency’s plan—
(i)
to meet the goals described in subsection (a)(1);
(ii)
to progress toward ending the school-to-prison pipeline and zero tolerance discipline, including by reducing suspensions, expulsions, and referrals to law enforcement;
(iii)
for progressing toward reallocating resources spent on punishment to restorative justice practices; and
(iv)
to progress toward ending the use of seclusion, restraint, and corporal punishment.
(2) Approval
(A) In general
The Secretary of Education shall approve each application that meets the requirements of this section.
(B) Consultation and technical assistance
In the case of an application that does not meet the requirements of this section, the Secretary of Education shall—
(i)
consult with the local educational agency and shall provide technical assistance, as necessary, to ensure that the local educational agency meets such requirements; and
(ii)
review and approve revised applications that meet such requirements.
(3) Priority
If the Secretary of Education awards grants under this section to local educational agencies that are not qualified local educational agencies, in accordance with subsection (a)(3), the Secretary of Education shall give priority to local educational agencies that meet one of the following criteria:
(A)
Serving a percentage that is higher than the State median of students who are counted under section 1113(a)(5)(A) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6313(a)(5)(A)).
(B)
Serving a percentage that is higher than the State median of students who are children with a disability.
(C)
Serving a percentage that is higher than the State median of students who are English learners.
(D)
Serving schools that have a per-pupil expenditure that is lower than the State median per-pupil expenditure.
(c) Uses of funds
(1) Support for eligible educators and support staff
(A) In general
A local educational agency receiving a grant under this section shall use not less than 80 percent of grant funds—
(i)
to hire, on a full-time basis, and pay the salaries of eligible educators and support staff described in subparagraph (B) for a period of 10 years;
(ii)
to increase the salaries of paraprofessionals and promote paraprofessionals who meet the requirements for promotion; and
(iii)
to provide or facilitate access for paraprofessionals to affordable training by establishing partnerships with community colleges and local institutions of higher education, establishing tuition reimbursement programs, or offering similar initiatives for training.
(B) Eligible educators and support staff
The eligible educators and support staff described in this subparagraph are—
(i)
paraprofessionals;
(ii)
mental health professionals, including psychologists, therapists, and social workers;
(iii)
school counselors;
(iv)
librarians;
(v)
nurses;
(vi)
restorative justice specialists;
(vii)
community school site coordinators;
(viii)
teachers, including special education teachers;
(ix)
coordinators for culturally responsive education;
(x)
facilities and food service workers;
(xi)
learning specialists, including mathematics and reading specialists;
(xii)
English as a Second Language instructors;
(xiii)
Native language and cultural specialists; and
(xiv)
staff to support other social services programming.
(2) Community partnerships, educational programming, and social service programming
(A) In general
In addition to carrying out the activities described in paragraph (1), a local educational agency receiving a grant under this section shall use not less than 2.5 percent and not more than 20 percent of such funds for community partnerships, educational programming, social service programming, and violence prevention and school safety initiatives, which shall include one or more of the following:
(i)
Development of place-based and experiential education and community-driven educational programs, with a focus on educational programs that affirm and explore the underlying principles of the Green New Deal, including the significance of and the connections between racial, economic, and environmental and climate justice, and that are responsive to the impacts of climate change and socioeconomic injustice on youth mental health.
(ii)
Programs and spaces that engage students in hands-on, project-based learning across science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics instruction, as well as humanities instruction, in the scientific, technical, design, and social aspects of healthy green retrofits funded by the climate capital facilities grants under section 102, as well as of any other uses of those grants.
(iii)
Spaces and programming to advance vocational and career and technical education, including project-based learning opportunities and advancing such education in partnership with career and technical education schools, community colleges, local institutions of higher education, community organizations, and pre-apprenticeship programs, to prepare students for a wide range of careers related to addressing climate change.
(iv)
Programming to support extracurricular, co-curricular, and community-based activities such as arts, music, recreation, organized sports, honor societies, 4–H clubs, foreign and Native languages, college access centers, civic engagement clubs and activities, clubs and activities to support movement and connectedness to nature, early child care centers, and after-school and summer education programming.
(v)
Creating or supporting a school-based youth peer support program.
(vi)
Other partnerships with local community organizations and social service providers to expand the scale and scope of on-site services in support of the resource allocation plan for the grant.
(vii)
Training and professional development to advance trauma-informed, healing-centered learning models and practices, centering on the whole child and the child’s cognitive, emotional, and social needs, inclusive of culturally responsive pedagogy.
(viii)
Providing funding to establish or improve libraries, child care centers, health offices, mental health and wellness centers, cafeteria and dining spaces, gymnasiums, studios and art spaces, outdoor green spaces, or job resource centers in the schools that are served by the local educational agency, which shall be operated by the local educational agency or the local educational agency in partnership with a nonprofit organization.
(ix)
Website development and other communications to share and exchange knowledge and best practices.
(x)
Wellness, stress management, and mindfulness training.
(xi)
Anti-racist and anti-hate educational programming.
(xii)
Training for and implementation of restorative justice practices, including peer mediation, restorative conferences, counseling, and peace circles for students as well as anti-bullying initiatives.
(xiii)
Developing and implementing evidence-based practices to support school safety that do not rely on the criminal justice system.
(xiv)
Developing and implementing evidence-based, inclusive, and trauma-informed practices to prevent violence and improve school climate and culture, including schoolwide positive behavioral interventions and supports, restorative justice programs and interventions, social and emotional learning programs, community-integrated violence prevention programming, and programs to ensure students have access to one-on-one relationships with mentors or other caring adults.
(xv)
Improving school capacity to identify, refer, and provide services to students and families in need of trauma support services or other social services, including with the appropriate technology and spaces to do so.
(xvi)
Technical assistance, including contract templates, local data clearinghouses for best practices, and temporary staff to support finding and building initial partnerships to build the capacity to develop and sustain local partnerships with other knowledge centers in the community.
(xvii)
Increased parent and student engagement in learning.
(xviii)
Increased availability of translation to create accessible learning environments for English learners.
(3) Requirement
A local educational agency receiving a grant under this section shall ensure that if such agency contracts with a third-party to carry out activities under this subsection, such third-party—
(A)
is located in the same catchment area as students attending the school in which they will work, or previously attended the school in which they will work; or
(B)
is located in a ZIP Code served by the local educational agency receiving the grant or in a neighboring ZIP Code.
(4) Prohibitions on use of funds
A local educational agency receiving a grant under this section may not use grant funds for any of the following:
(A)
For measures that subject students to potential penalties imposed by law enforcement, unduly surveil students, or otherwise detract from a positive, inclusive, and welcoming school culture and environment.
(B)
For measures that would reduce the accessibility of the school environment for students with disabilities.
(d) Wage and labor organization requirements
Each local educational agency that receives funds through a grant under this section, with the exception of schools funded by BIE, shall—
(1)
ensure that eligible educators and support staff hired with the grant funds are paid wages in accordance with prevailing rates in the locality or any applicable collective bargaining agreement, and on a pathway with regular increases in pay;
(2)
ensure that such educators and staff are considered to be part of any existing (as of the date of the hiring) applicable bargaining unit of a labor organization and not considered to be executive employees or employees in other positions exempt from the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 (29 U.S.C. 201 et seq.); and
(3)
if the local educational agency does not have such a bargaining unit, have an explicit neutrality policy, which covers such educators and staff, on any issue involving the organization of employees for purposes of collective bargaining.
(e) Authorization of appropriations; mandatory appropriations
Out of funds in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated, there are authorized to be appropriated, and there are appropriated for the 10-fiscal-year period following the date of enactment of this Act—
(1)
$250,000,000,000 to the Secretary of Education to provide grants under this section; and
(2)
sums as are necessary to the Secretary of Education for the administrative expenses and provision of technical assistance in carrying out this section.
Sec. 104. Educational equity planning grants
(a) Program established
(1) In General
The Secretary of Education shall facilitate an inclusive, regional equity planning process and award grants to eligible consortia to eliminate intra-region education inequities by providing Federal funds to assist the eligible consortia in planning and carrying out regional education equity plans, in accordance with this section.
(2) Planning grant
The Secretary of Education shall award a planning grant under this section, for a period of not longer than 1 year, to each eligible consortium with an approved application to enable the eligible consortium to develop a regional education equity plan.
(3) Implementation grant
The Secretary of Education shall award an implementation grant under this section to each eligible consortium with an approved regional education equity plan to enable the consortium to carry out activities to implement such plan.
(b) Eligible consortium
In this section, the term eligible consortium means 2 or more local educational agencies that are located within the same metropolitan or micropolitan statistical area and that have formed a regional consortium.
(c) Provision of data
The Secretary of Education, the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, and the Secretary of Transportation shall provide each eligible consortium that receives a planning grant under this section with data relevant to that particular eligible consortium about demographic trends, the spatial distribution of poverty, environmental hazards, and access to education, transportation, and economic opportunities across the consortium’s region, to assist the eligible consortium in developing the regional education equity plan.
(d) Community outreach
Each eligible consortium that receives a planning grant shall engage in extensive community outreach to solicit comments from diverse stakeholders on issues related to education equity in the region of the consortium, as part of the process of developing the regional education equity plan.
(e) Regional education equity plan
(1) In General
Upon receipt of the data described in subsection (c) and completion of the outreach described in subsection (d), each eligible consortium that receives a planning grant under this section shall use such data and the results of such outreach to develop a 5-year regional education equity plan. The regional education equity plan shall—
(A)
identify racial, class, gender, and disability-related inequities in education access within the region at the time of the plan's development;
(B)
identify the historic causes of those inequities; and
(C)
describe activities to redress those inequities.
(2) Equity assessment tool
The Secretary of Education shall provide each eligible consortium receiving a planning grant under this section with an equity assessment tool, which shall be a structured list of questions to guide the consortium in the development of the regional education equity plan. The structured list of questions shall be developed in consultation with representatives of impacted communities and education equity groups in a manner that aligns and is consistent with the principles entitled Jemez Principles for Democratic Organizing
and dated December 1996.
(f) Application; Equity plan
(1) Application
Each eligible consortium desiring a planning grant under this section shall submit an application to the Secretary of Education, at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Secretary of Education may reasonably require.
(2) Equity plan
Each eligible consortium desiring an implementation grant under this section shall submit a regional education equity plan to the Secretary of Education, at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Secretary of Education may reasonably require, which shall include, at a minimum, the information described in subsection (e). If the Secretary of Education does not approve the plan, the Secretary of Education shall work with the eligible consortium and provide technical assistance to assist the eligible consortium in revising the regional education equity plan until the Secretary of Education determines that such plan will be approved.
(g) Use of funds for implementation
An eligible consortium receiving an implementation grant under this section shall—
(1)
distribute such grant funds to elementary schools and secondary schools that are served by local educational agencies in the eligible consortium in accordance with the regional education equity plan; and
(2)
may use grant funds for resource sharing and the centralization of administration, planning, and procurement among the local educational agencies in the consortium, with the aim of ensuring an equitable distribution of funding and staffing and equitable access to high-quality educational opportunities for students, including students who are children with disabilities and low-income students.
(h) Accountability
An eligible consortium that receives an implementation grant under this section shall post on a publicly available website data about annual benchmarks that are achieved during the 5-year grant period.
(i) Authorization of appropriations; mandatory appropriations
Out of funds in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated, there are authorized to be appropriated, and there are appropriated for the 10-fiscal-year period following the date of enactment of this Act—
(1)
$100,000,000 to the Secretary of Education to carry out this section; and
(2)
sums as are necessary the Secretary of Education for the administrative expenses and provision of technical assistance in carrying out this section.
Sec. 105. Mandatory funding of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act
Section 611(i) of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (20 U.S.C. 1411(i)) is amended to read as follows:
(i) Funding
(1) In general
For the purpose of carrying out this part, other than section 619, there are authorized to be appropriated—
(A)
$16,661,928,000 or 11.6 percent of the amount determined under paragraph (2), whichever is greater, for fiscal year 2027, and there are hereby appropriated $6,425,048,000 or 4.5 percent of the amount determined under paragraph (2), whichever is greater, for fiscal year 2027, which shall become available for obligation on July 1, 2027, and shall remain available through September 30, 2028;
(B)
$19,531,844,000 or 13.4 percent of the amount determined under paragraph (2), whichever is greater, for fiscal year 2028, and there are hereby appropriated $8,372,932,000 or 5.7 percent of the amount determined under paragraph (2), whichever is greater, for fiscal year 2028, which shall become available for obligation on July 1, 2028, and shall remain available through September 30, 2029;
(C)
$22,896,084,000 or 15.3 percent of the amount determined under paragraph (2), whichever is greater, for fiscal year 2029, and there are hereby appropriated $10,911,357,000 or 7.3 percent of the amount determined under paragraph (2), whichever is greater, for fiscal year 2029, which shall become available for obligation on July 1, 2029, and shall remain available through September 30, 2030;
(D)
$26,839,795,000 or 17.6 percent of the amount determined under paragraph (2), whichever is greater, for fiscal year 2030, and there are hereby appropriated $14,219,357,000 or 9.3 percent of the amount determined under paragraph (2), whichever is greater, for fiscal year 2030, which shall become available for obligation on July 1, 2030, and shall remain available through September 30, 2031;
(E)
$31,462,786,000 or 20.2 percent of the amount determined under paragraph (2), whichever is greater, for fiscal year 2031, and there are hereby appropriated $18,530,244,000 or 11.9 percent of the amount determined under paragraph (2), whichever is greater, for fiscal year 2031, which shall become available for obligation on July 1, 2031, and shall remain available through September 30, 2032;
(F)
$36,882,058,000 or 23.1 percent of the amount determined under paragraph (2), whichever is greater, for fiscal year 2032, and there are hereby appropriated $24,148,064,000 or 15.2 percent of the amount determined under paragraph (2), whichever is greater, for fiscal year 2032, which shall become available for obligation on July 1, 2032, and shall remain available through September 30, 2033;
(G)
$43,234,768,000 or 26.5 percent of the amount determined under paragraph (2), whichever is greater, for fiscal year 2033, and there are hereby appropriated $31,469,041,000 or 19.3 percent of the amount determined under paragraph (2), whichever is greater, for fiscal year 2033, which shall become available for obligation on July 1, 2033, and shall remain available through September 30, 2034;
(H)
$50,681,693,000 or 30.4 percent of the amount determined under paragraph (2), whichever is greater, for fiscal year 2034, and there are hereby appropriated $41,009,521,000 or 24.6 percent of the amount determined under paragraph (2), whichever is greater, for fiscal year 2034, which shall become available for obligation on July 1, 2034, and shall remain available through September 30, 2035;
(I)
$59,411,305,000 or 34.9 percent of the amount determined under paragraph (2), whichever is greater, for fiscal year 2035, and there are hereby appropriated $53,442,392,000 or 31.4 percent of the amount determined under paragraph (2), whichever is greater, for fiscal year 2035, which shall become available for obligation on July 1, 2035, and shall remain available through September 30, 2036; and
(J)
$69,644,540,000 or 40 percent of the amount determined under paragraph (2), whichever is greater, for fiscal year 2036 and each subsequent fiscal year, and there are hereby appropriated $69,644,540,000 or 40 percent of the amount determined under paragraph (2), whichever is greater, for fiscal year 2036 and each subsequent fiscal year, which—
(i)
shall become available for obligation with respect to fiscal year 2036 on July 1, 2035, and shall remain available through September 30, 2037; and
(ii)
shall become available for obligation with respect to each subsequent fiscal year on July 1 of that fiscal year and shall remain available through September 30 of the succeeding fiscal year.
(2) Amount
With respect to each subparagraph of paragraph (1), the amount determined under this paragraph is the product of—
(A)
the total number of children with disabilities in all States who—
(i)
received special education and related services during the last school year that concluded before the first day of the fiscal year for which the determination is made; and
(ii)
were aged—
(I)
3 through 5 (with respect to the States that were eligible for grants under section 619); and
(II)
6 through 21; and
(B)
the average per-pupil expenditure in public elementary schools and secondary schools in the United States.
Sec. 106. Elementary and Secondary Education funding
Out of funds in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated, there are appropriated to carry out part A of title I of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6311 et seq.), $74,000,000,000 for each of the 10 fiscal years following the date of enactment of this Act.
Title II Climate change resiliency
Sec. 201. Definitions
In this Act:
(1) Community resiliency center
The term community resiliency center means a center that provides community resources and improves disaster preparedness, response, or recovery in the community and—
(A)
may conduct, or provide space for, targeted activities such as helping reach community members not well-served by existing resources or preparedness programs, and serving as a shelter or communications center in emergencies, distributing food, energy and other basic needs during or after a disaster, providing trauma-informed care and mental health services during or after a disaster, and enabling faster recovery through connecting community members with services; and
(B)
may distribute food, energy, or other basic needs on an ongoing basis.
(2) Environmental justice community
The term environmental justice community means 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.
Sec. 202. Climate change resiliency program
The Secretary of Education, in coordination with the Secretary of Health and Human Services and the Secretary of the Interior, shall establish a Climate Change Resiliency Program to—
(1)
increase the resiliency of the United States public school system, BIE schools, and schools funded by BIE during—
(A)
climate change-related events and natural disasters, including extreme weather events, droughts, hurricanes, coastal and inland flooding, sea level rise, increased storm surge, wildfires, mudslides, extreme temperatures, tornadoes, earthquakes, and volcanos; and
(B)
public health emergencies;
(2)
increase the ability of the United States public school system, BIE schools, and schools funded by BIE to advance climate justice and environmental justice by serving as community resiliency centers;
(3)
build partnerships among local businesses, labor unions, apprenticeship programs, nonprofit organizations, and educators to facilitate applied STEAM and social science learning opportunities related to climate resiliency for students and create local jobs; and
(4)
prioritize public educational institutions, BIE schools, and schools funded by BIE as centers of innovation and pathways to green collar jobs through investments in vocational and technical education in public schools that connect to labor organization registered apprenticeships and other high-road jobs.
Sec. 203. Grant program
(a) In general
As part of the Climate Change Resiliency Program established under section 202, the Secretary of Education shall establish a program to make grants to State educational agencies, in partnership with local educational agencies and local nonprofit organizations, for the development and implementation of statewide, regional, or local climate resiliency plans or climate resiliency projects for public elementary schools and secondary schools, BIE schools, and schools funded by BIE, with the aim of enabling public schools to serve as community resiliency centers.
(b) Climate resiliency plans and projects
Each climate resiliency plan or climate resiliency project under subsection (a) shall include 1 or more of the following depending on the needs of the schools and surrounding communities to be served:
(1)
Improvements to school buildings and grounds, including projects such as—
(A)
installing on-site distributed generation that combines energy efficient devices, energy storage, and renewable energy to allow the school to access essential energy during power outages and optimize use of on-site and off-site energy sources for emissions reductions;
(B)
upgrading school kitchen facilities to support the preparation of scratch-cooked student meals that use whole ingredients and are rich in fruits, vegetables, legumes, and whole grains;
(C)
projects that generate and maintain publicly accessibly integrated sustainability data and building management platforms;
(D)
improving walkability and accessibility on school grounds and in all school buildings;
(E)
acquiring relevant disaster response equipment and carrying out disaster response training;
(F)
procuring electric school buses;
(G)
installing public charging infrastructure for electric school buses and electric vehicles;
(H)
establishing or improving dedicated infrastructure for safe transportation by bicycle, including bicycle lanes and parking spots;
(I)
enhancing multi-modal access to support the needs of all students, families, and staff, whether they walk, bike, use transit, or use other means of transportation to and from school;
(J)
establishing or improving vehicle speed reduction infrastructure; and
(K)
a project involving the installation of high-speed internet infrastructure, in coordination with the E-rate program of the Federal Communications Commission set forth under subpart F of part 54 of title 47, Code of Federal Regulations (or any successor regulation)—
(i)
in order to provide universal internet access for schools served by the grantee, BIE schools, and schools funded by BIE;
(ii)
with an upload speed that allows for the full execution of activities related to virtual teaching and learning, including the access and use of interactive online learning modules and textbooks, online professional learning courses, videoconferencing, and assistive technology;
(iii)
including the ongoing costs associated with providing that internet infrastructure and access;
(iv)
with respect to which, schools are encouraged to partner with municipal and other public or nonprofit entities to support internet access; and
(v)
with respect to which the school will ensure that all internet service providers with which the school contracts for the project include open access infrastructure.
(2)
Green infrastructure projects and projects to increase food supply resiliency, such as—
(A)
wetlands, drainage ponds, and any other green infrastructure to protect schools from projected severe effects with respect to extreme weather, natural disasters, or climate change-related events, including sea-level rise, flooding, and increased risk of wildfire;
(B)
green rooftops and walls that meet the minimum performance standard specified within the Living Architecture Performance Tool (LAPT) rating system, implemented or completed in consultation with at least one Green Roof Professional (GRP) as accredited by the Green Roof Industry Association, particularly those that can provide temperature management and air quality improvements and reduce stormwater runoff;
(C)
indoor plantings, particularly those that can provide air quality improvements;
(D)
tree plantings and green playgrounds that, at appropriate times, can act as a green space for the community;
(E)
community gardens that may be used by the school to provide healthy food for students or by the community to provide healthy food for community residents;
(F)
procurement of local, organic, and sustainably produced food, including a focus on healthy, plant-based options; and
(G)
large scale food composting operations, and other projects to reduce single-use plastic and promote zero-waste options.
(3)
Projects to enable remote learning in the event that a school building is unusable due to a natural disaster, climate- or climate-change related event, severe weather, or infectious disease outbreaks.
(4)
Projects for climate resiliency education, including STEAM and social science education and career preparation, such as projects that combine upgrades to school buildings and grounds with career and technical education opportunities.
(5)
Any other type of plan or project carried out by the State educational agency that the Secretary of Education determines will increase the resiliency of a school or school infrastructure provided, operated, or owned by the State educational agency with respect to the events described in section 202(1).
(c) Priority
The Secretary of Education shall develop metrics to evaluate grant applications and give priority to applications for climate resiliency plans or climate resiliency projects that focus on improving schools in neighborhoods that experience low air quality, lack green space and healthy food, bear higher cumulative pollution burdens, or are at high risk of experiencing the adverse effects of climate change.
(d) Components
The Secretary of Education, directly or through partnerships with States and nonprofit organizations, shall provide technical assistance to support grantees in developing and implementing climate resiliency plans or climate resiliency projects that—
(1)
provide hands-on education and applied STEAM and social science learning opportunities to students;
(2)
demonstrate a commitment to provide job training, registered apprenticeship programs, and contracting opportunities to residents and small businesses owned by residents of the community that the school serves;
(3)
identify and further community priority actions and conduct robust community engagement;
(4)
utilize climate change and community health data for proactive solutions;
(5)
employ nature-based solutions that focus on protection, restoration, or management of ecological systems to safeguard public health, provide clean air and water, increase natural hazard resilience, and sequester carbon;
(6)
increase equitable outcomes for and support strong partnerships with environmental justice communities and climate vulnerable populations;
(7)
achieve broad and multiple community benefits; and
(8)
monitor project success and maintaining the project into the future.
(e) Existing initiatives
The Secretary of Education may encourage and give priority to climate resiliency plans or climate resiliency projects that integrate with and inform existing sustainability initiatives, such as the Department of Education Green Ribbon Schools program.
(f) Environmental health
The Secretary of Education may develop and encourage metrics to support consistent reporting of environmental health best practices and other outcomes.
(g) Coordination
(1) Environmental protection agency and agriculture
The Secretary of Education shall coordinate with the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency and the Secretary of Agriculture to provide technical guidance or assistance to State educational agencies in designing and carrying out climate resiliency plans or climate resiliency projects funded by the grant program as they relate to healthy schools.
(2) Department of energy
The Secretary of Education shall coordinate with the Secretary of Energy to develop metrics to evaluate grant applications and provide technical assistance to State and local educational agencies in designing and carrying out climate resiliency plans or climate resiliency projects.
(h) Partners
A recipient of a grant under this section to carry out a project described in subsection (b)(1)(K) shall, to the extent practicable, partner with local government and other public or nonprofit entities to support internet access, and all service providers shall use open access infrastructure.
(i) Environmental justice communities
The Secretary of Education shall ensure that not less than 50 percent of funds awarded under this section are used for projects located in environmental justice communities.
(j) Wage rate requirements
(1) In general
Notwithstanding any other provision of law, all laborers and mechanics employed by contractors and subcontractors on projects funded directly by a grant under this section shall be paid wages at rates not less than those prevailing on projects of a similar character in the locality, as determined by the Secretary of Labor in accordance with subchapter IV of chapter 31 of title 40, United States Code (commonly referred to as the Davis-Bacon Act
).
(2) Authority
With respect to the labor standards specified in paragraph (1), the Secretary of Labor shall have the authority and functions set forth in Reorganization Plan Numbered 14 of 1950 (64 Stat. 1267; 5 U.S.C. App.) and section 3145 of title 40, United States Code.
(k) Use of american iron, steel, and manufactured products
(1) Definitions
In this subsection:
(A) Manufactured product
The term manufactured product means any construction material or end product (as those terms are defined in part 25.003 of the Federal Acquisition Regulation) that is not an iron or steel product, including—
(i)
electrical components; and
(ii)
non-ferrous building materials, including aluminum, polyvinylchloride, glass, fiber optics, plastic, wood, masonry, rubber, manufactured stone, any other non-ferrous metals, and any unmanufactured construction material.
(B) Produced in the united states
The term produced in the United States means the following:
(i)
When used with respect to a manufactured product, the product was manufactured in the United States and the cost of the components of that product that were mined, produced, or manufactured in the United States exceeds 60 percent of the total cost of all components of the product.
(ii)
When used with respect to iron or steel products, or an individual component of a manufactured product, all manufacturing processes for those iron or steel products or components, from the initial melting stage through the application of coatings, occurred in the United States, except that the term does not include—
(I)
steel or iron material or products manufactured abroad from semi-finished steel or iron from the United States; or
(II)
steel or iron material or products manufactured in the United States from semi-finished steel or iron of foreign origin.
(2) Requirements
A State that receives funds under this section shall ensure that any iron, steel, and manufactured products used in a project carried out with those funds are produced in the United States.
(3) Waiver authority
(A) In general
The Secretary of Education may waive the requirement under paragraph (2) if the Secretary of Education determines that—
(i)
applying the requirement would be inconsistent with the public interest;
(ii)
iron, steel, and manufactured products produced in the United States are not produced in a sufficient and reasonably available quantity or are not of a satisfactory quality; or
(iii)
using iron, steel, and manufactured products produced in the United States will increase the cost of the applicable overall project by more than 25 percent.
(B) Publication
Before issuing a waiver under subparagraph (A), the Secretary of Education shall publish in the Federal Register a detailed written explanation of the waiver determination.
(4) Consistency with international agreements
This subsection shall be applied in a manner consistent with the obligations of the United States under international agreements.
Sec. 204. Report
Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of this Act, and annually thereafter, the Secretary of Education shall submit to Congress a report that evaluates the effectiveness of the activities carried out under this title.
Sec. 205. Authorization of appropriations; mandatory appropriations
(a) In general
Out of funds in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated, there are authorized to be appropriated, and there are appropriated for each of fiscal years 2027 through 2037, $4,000,000,000 to the Secretary of Education to carry out this title.
(b) Limitation
Not more than 5 percent of the funds appropriated to carry out this title shall be used for projects described in section 203(b)(3).