Sponsors (9)
Introduced April 22, 2026 by Edward John Markey · Last progress April 22, 2026
The bill channels multi-year federal funds and NOAA capacity into expanding climate literacy, workforce pathways, and targeted support for environmental justice communities—benefiting students, educators, and disadvantaged areas—while imposing new federal costs, administrative burdens, and funding-design trade-offs that may concentrate resources and provoke local pushback.
NOAA, researchers, and coastal/ocean programs receive predictable funding ($50M/year FY2027–FY2032) so federal climate-education and related NOAA activities can be implemented and sustained over multiple years.
K–12 students and lifelong learners will gain substantially improved climate literacy through new NOAA-funded curricula, classroom resources, and expanded climate education programs, affecting millions of graduates and young people.
Teachers and educators will receive funded professional development, training, and mentorship in climate topics, reducing barriers to offering accurate, up-to-date climate instruction.
Taxpayers and federal budgets will bear increased costs—up to $300 million authorized over six years—if appropriated, meaning higher federal spending or trade-offs with other priorities.
Local school districts, teachers, and state education systems will face added implementation, training, curriculum adaptation, and reporting burdens that create upfront time and administrative costs.
Grant design rules (e.g., $5M threshold for LEA eligibility, $1M minimum state grant size, and default allocation percentages) may concentrate funds in larger recipients and disadvantage smaller local programs and nonprofits.
Based on analysis of 7 sections of legislative text.
Creates a NOAA Climate Change Education Program and competitive grants to expand climate literacy, prioritize environmental justice, and authorize $50M/year for FY2027–2032.
Establishes a NOAA Climate Change Education Program to expand climate literacy for people of all ages, improve educator training, support curriculum and community activities, and emphasize climate justice and workforce connections. It creates a competitive grant and cooperative agreement program for state and local education agencies, higher education, nonprofits, professional associations, and youth corps, with specific allocation rules and set-asides for environmental justice communities. Requires NOAA to stand up the program within one year, report to Congress annually on effectiveness, and authorizes $50 million per year for fiscal years 2027–2032 to carry out the program and awards.