Bill · S. 5195· Senate(119-S-5195)
Green New Deal for Public Schools Act
- Introduced
- 7/30/2026
- Last activity
- 7/30/2026 — Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
- Sponsored by
- Edward Markey
- Cosponsors
- - 2 - 0
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill establishes the "Green New Deal for Public Schools Act" to modernize and protect the American public school system. It creates several grant programs, including climate capital facilities grants, resource block grants, and educational equity planning grants. The legislation focuses on converting schools into "healthy zero-carbon schools" through green retrofits and new construction. Additionally, it establishes a Climate Change Resiliency Program to help schools serve as community resiliency centers during disasters. The act also mandates increased funding for the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act and general elementary and secondary education.
Yes· 3 of 36
Would people with disabilities be better off under this?+10
The bill provides significant mandatory funding for the IDEA and mandates school accessibility.
Does this put more money into public schools?+10
The bill provides massive new funding for climate retrofits, resource blocks, and IDEA mandates.
Would children be better off under this?+9
The bill improves the safety, health, and educational environment of school-aged children.
The opposite
Does this give the government more power to monitor people inside the country?-3
The bill includes a specific prohibition against using funds for measures that unduly surveil students.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Improved School Environments: Through "healthy green retrofits," schools can achieve optimal air quality, improved water quality, and better temperature control, creating safer and more comfortable learning environments (Sec. 102(a)(2), Sec. 102(a)(3)).
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Economic Empowerment and Local Jobs: Grant recipients are encouraged to implement hiring plans where at least 30 percent of jobs are filled by local community members (Sec. 101(b)(2)(C)). Furthermore, the bill emphasizes creating opportunities for diverse groups, including people of color, immigrants, and individuals with disabilities (Sec. 101(b)(2)(D)).
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Community Safety and Disaster Preparedness: The Climate Change Resiliency Program aims to increase the ability of schools to serve as "community resiliency centers," providing essential resources like food, energy, and shelter during natural disasters or public health emergencies (Sec. 201(1), Sec. 203(b)(1)).
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Educational Opportunity and Support: Resource block grants are intended to expand educational opportunities, improve academic achievement, and provide support through mental health professionals, school counselors, and social workers (Sec. 103(a)(1), Sec. 103(c)(1)(B)).
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Support for Tribal Sovereignty: The bill reserves specific funding and technical assistance for the Bureau of Indian Education to ensure that BIE schools can carry out grant activities in accordance with principles of Indian Tribal sovereignty and self-determination (Sec. 101(d)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Restrictions on School Safety Measures: Grant recipients are prohibited from using funds for security measures that could subject students to potential penalties by law enforcement or unduly surveil them (Sec. 102(e)(2)(B)(i)).
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Potential Impact on Accessibility: The bill prohibits the use of grant funds for any measures that would reduce the accessibility of the school environment for children with disabilities (Sec. 102(e)(2)(B)(ii), Sec. 103(a)(4)).
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Location Restrictions for New Schools: New "healthy zero-carbon schools" constructed with these funds must be located at least 2,500 feet away from any oil or gas wells in the vicinity (Sec. 102(b)(2)).
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 People With Disabilities+10Good For Children+9Good For Native Americans+9Good For Students+9Good For Low Income Households+7Good For Union Workers+7Good For African Americans+6Good For Hispanic Americans+5Good For Immigrants+5Good For L G B T Q Community+5Good For Urban Residents+5Good For Veterans+5Good For Young Adults+5Good For Business Owners+4Good For Women+4
- Social Issues And Justice
- Improves Disability Rights+9Improves Racial Equity+8Improves Policing Reform+7Improves Poverty Reduction+6Improves L G B T Q Rights+5Improves Gender Equality+4
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Increases Renewable Energy Investment+9Reduces Carbon Emissions+9Improves Disaster Relief And F E M A+7Improves Environmental Protections+7Improves Public Transit+4
- Economy And Finance
- Increases Job Creation+7Improves Union Protections+6Improves Economic Growth+5Improves Small Business Support+4
- Education And Technology
- Increases Public School Funding+10Improves Internet Access+7
- Healthcare
- Improves Mental Health Access+8Improves Pandemic Preparedness+5
- Governance And Ideology
- Improves Government Transparency+5Increases Federal Power+4
- National Security And Foreign Policy
- Increases Domestic Surveillance-3
- 7/30/2026
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
- 3 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in Senate
Bernie SandersIndependent · Vermont
Adam SchiffDemocrat · California
Elizabeth WarrenDemocrat · Massachusetts