Bill · S. 4403· Senate(119-S-4403)
Neighborhood Tree Act of 2026
- Introduced
- 4/27/2026
- Last activity
- 4/27/2026 — Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.
- Sponsored by
- Cory Booker
- Cosponsors
- - 4 - 0
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
The Neighborhood Tree Act of 2026 seeks to amend the Cooperative Forestry Assistance Act of 1978. This bill creates the Neighborhood Tree Fund to provide financial assistance to States, Indian Tribes, and local entities for planting and maintaining trees. The goal is to improve the health and resilience of the urban tree canopy. It specifically prioritizes communities facing high poverty rates and those affected by historical redlining. Additionally, the bill adjusts the composition of the National Urban and Community Forestry Advisory Council to include experts with specific community ties.
Yes· 3 of 13
Would people in cities be better off under this?+7
The bill focuses on improving the environmental health, air quality, and temperature regulation of urban areas.
Would households on low incomes be better off under this?+6
The bill prioritizes assistance for communities with high poverty rates and lower tree canopy.
Does this narrow racial gaps in how people are treated?+6
The bill prioritizes funding for communities facing historical redlining and racial disparities in tree canopy cover.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Health and Environmental Benefits: A healthy urban forest can support the physical and mental health of residents, regulate air quality, mitigate the urban heat island effect, reduce energy demand, and manage stormwater (Section 2).
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Economic Opportunities: The maintenance and management of urban forests can provide opportunities for job creation, workforce development, and the enhancement of property values (Section 2).
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Addressing Inequities: The bill provides assistance to priority communities, such as those with poverty rates of at least 20 percent or areas that were historically redlined, to reduce disparities in tree canopy cover (Section 3, paragraph 5).
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Food and Climate Resilience: Assistance can be used to advance community-led urban agroforestry or tree-based local food production to improve environmental and public health outcomes (Section 3, paragraph 5).
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Community Representation: The bill adds three members to the National Urban and Community Forestry Advisory Council who have expertise in urban forestry, including a resident of a community with a population of less than 50,000 and a resident of a low-income community (Section 4).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- Funding Limitations on Assessments: There is a limit where no more than 10 percent of the funds available for a fiscal year can be used for the development of community tree assessments (Section 3, paragraph 6).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Urban Residents+7Good For Low Income Households+6Good For African Americans+5Good For Hispanic Americans+5Good For Middle Class Households+2
- Social Issues And Justice
- Improves Racial Equity+6Improves Poverty Reduction+4
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Improves Environmental Protections+5Reduces Carbon Emissions+4
- Economy And Finance
- Increases Job Creation+5Improves Economic Growth+3
- Healthcare
- Improves Mental Health Access+3
- Governance And Ideology
- Improves Government Transparency+2
- 4/27/2026
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.
- 4 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in Senate
One bill Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
Tammy DuckworthDemocrat · Illinois
Kirsten GillibrandDemocrat · New York
Andy KimDemocrat · New Jersey
Edward MarkeyDemocrat · Massachusetts