HR-9467 — Green Ribbon Act of 2026

YourVoice.Now Summary

EnvironmentTransparency & Accountability

Federal help for greener schools — state grants up to $1 million and $10,000 prizes for winners

Environment

Grants to states for greener schools — $250,000 to $1 million each

The Education Department would pick states in a contest and give each one $250,000 to $1 million, to use over up to three years. Each state must spend at least 40% of it on schools with fewer resources.

Climate change focus in school award rules — includes disaster readiness

Within six months, the department must rewrite how it scores schools for the award. The new rules would ask how schools help slow climate change and get ready for it. That includes how well schools hold up in natural disasters.

$10,000 prize for each Green Ribbon school — if Congress funds it

Each school, school district, or college that wins the Green Ribbon award would get $10,000, but only if Congress sets aside the money. The awards would still be given every year without it.

Green awards for museums, libraries, and zoos — $10,000 prize

The federal agency that funds museums and libraries would start its own green award. It would honor places like museums, libraries, nature centers, and zoos. Each national winner would get $10,000.

New Education Dept office for school buildings — $2 million in 2027

A new office with three full-time staff would help states and school districts plan, build, and run school buildings. That includes green building design. It could also give grants if Congress funds them.

Transparency & Accountability

Public comment on new school award rules — posted in Federal Register

The department must post the final award rules in the Federal Register. That is the government's daily public notice. It must let people comment on the rules and answer those comments.

Yearly public report on the green schools program — from November 2027

Starting in November 2027, the department must post a yearly report on how the program and state grants were used. It must also share state plans to reach low-income, rural, and remote schools. Schools with many students with disabilities count too.

More about this bill

Most families would see little direct change, but your child's school could get more help going green. The Education Department would be required by law to run its Green Ribbon Schools awards. The awards honor schools, school districts, and colleges that cut pollution, keep students healthy, and teach about the environment. States could win grants of $250,000 to $1 million to help more schools take part. Each state would have to spend at least 40% of its grant on schools with fewer resources. Each winning school could get a $10,000 prize if Congress provides the money. Within six months, the department would update its award rules. The new rules would focus on climate change and on schools holding up in natural disasters. The final rules would be posted for the public to comment on. A similar award would honor green museums, libraries, and zoos. The bill also creates a small Education Department office for school buildings, with $2 million for 2027. The awards program would get $10 million in 2027, then whatever Congress decides each year through 2032.

Congressional Summary

Green Ribbon Act of 2026 This bill provides statutory authority for and expands the Department of Education’s (ED’s) Green Ribbon Schools program. (This program was established in 2011 to recognize early learning centers, schools, districts, and postsecondary institutions for excellence in reducing environmental impact, increasing health and wellness, and providing sustainability education.) In conducting the Green Ribbon Schools program, ED must (1) reserve funding for the Department of the Interior to carry out activities with respect to schools operated or funded by the Bureau of Indian Education; (2) award grants to state educational agencies for the purpose of supporting and engaging eligible entities as green schools; and (3) provide an honorarium to each award winner, subject to appropriations. The bill directs the Institute of Museum and Library Services to establish an award program for nonformal learning institutions (e.g., libraries, museums, and zoos) that is modeled on ED’s program. The bill also establishes within ED the Office of School Infrastructure and Sustainability.

Details

Congress: 119th
Chamber: House
Status: summarized
Action: Introduced in House
Action Date: 2026-06-25
Date Added: 2026-10-22
Source: Congress.gov →

Like reading a bill in plain English?

We're building an app that does this for every bill in Congress and lets you tell your reps how you want them to vote. We're a small team getting ready to launch, and we're trying to show investors that real people want this. Be one of them. Help us get it built. Leave your email and we'll tell you the moment the app is ready.