Neighborhood Tree Act of 2026

Legislative Summary: Neighborhood Tree Act of 2026 (HR 8474)

Overview

The Neighborhood Tree Act of 2026 is a legislative proposal designed to expand and improve the urban forest canopy across the United States. The bill recognizes that urban trees provide critical benefits—including improved air quality, reduced energy costs, and stormwater management—but notes that these benefits are currently distributed unequally. The primary intent of the bill is to address "tree equity" by prioritizing investments in low-income communities and areas historically impacted by discriminatory housing policies, such as redlining.

Key Provisions

1. Establishment of the Neighborhood Tree Fund

The bill amends the Cooperative Forestry Assistance Act of 1978 to create a dedicated Neighborhood Tree Fund. This fund will provide financial assistance to eligible entities to increase and improve the health of community tree canopies.

• Eligible Recipients:
  • State governments
  • Indian Tribes
  • Local government units
  • Approved organizations and local community tree volunteer groups.
• Operational Requirements: To receive funding, entities must meet requirements established by the Secretary (in consultation with the Secretary of HUD), including:
  • Engaging community stakeholders.
  • Conducting tree canopy assessments.
  • Utilizing climate change science for project design.
  • Ensuring proper site preparation, species selection, and long-term maintenance.

2. Priority Funding Areas

The bill mandates that the Secretary prioritize funding for projects that target:
* High-Poverty Areas: Census tracts with a poverty rate of at least 20% or areas historically designated as "hazardous" or "declining" by the Home Owners’ Loan Corporation (redlined areas).
* Heat Islands: Neighborhoods with lower tree canopy and higher maximum summer temperatures than their surroundings.
* Public Health & Food Security: Projects that optimize climate resilience for public health or advance community-led urban agroforestry and tree-based food production.

3. Funding Authorization

The bill authorizes a scaling investment over five fiscal years to seed the Fund:
* FY 2025: $100 million
* FY 2026: $200 million
* FY 2027: $400 million
* FY 2028: $600 million
* FY 2029: $700 million
(Note: A cap is placed on assessments, limiting the use of funds for community tree assessments to no more than 10% of the annual appropriation.)

4. Governance Changes

The bill modifies the composition of the National Urban and Community Forestry Advisory Council, increasing the number of members to 16. Specifically, it requires the inclusion of non-governmental experts, ensuring that at least one member resides in a community with a population under 50,000 and one member resides in a low-income community.

Potential Impact

If passed, this legislation would represent a significant federal investment in green infrastructure. By targeting "redlined" and low-income neighborhoods, the bill aims to lower urban temperatures, reduce respiratory health risks associated with poor air quality, and create workforce development opportunities in urban forestry. It shifts the focus of urban forestry from general maintenance to a targeted strategy of environmental justice.

Procedural Status

• Introduced: April 23, 2026
• Current Status: Referred to the House Committee on Agriculture.