Bills · HR 8474
IN COMMITTEE· 119TH CONGRESS
House BillHR 8474Public Lands and Natural Resources
Neighborhood Tree Act of 2026
This bill creates a federal fund to help cities plant and maintain trees in low-income and minority neighborhoods that currently lack shade and face higher summer heat.AI-written
INTRO APR 23· LAST ACTION APR 23
READING
6MIN
COSPONSORS
8
READER REACTIONS0 TOTAL
NO VOTES YET · BE THE FIRST
- Introduced only
tl;dr
AI-writtenCreates a federal grant program that invests up to $700 million annually to plant and maintain trees in low-income and formerly redlined neighborhoods to lower temperatures and energy bills.
LEGISLATIVE PROGRESS
STEP 2 / 8Introduced
In Committee
Reported
Passed House
Passed Senate
Conference
To President
Became Law
WHAT THE BILL DOES
AI-writtenResearch cited in the bill shows that urban trees provide over $18 billion in benefits by lowering energy bills, cleaning the air, and reducing the 'heat island effect' where pavement makes cities dangerously hot. Currently, neighborhoods with mostly people of color have about 33% less tree cover than white neighborhoods, and low-income areas have 41% less than wealthy ones.
If this becomes law, it would provide a massive influx of cash—up to $700 million a year—to close this 'green gap.' Without it, the disparity in urban temperatures and related health risks like heatstroke will likely continue to fall hardest on low-income residents who cannot afford high cooling costs.
KEY PROVISIONS
5AI-extractedPROVISION 01
Establishes the Neighborhood Tree Fund to provide grants for planting and maintaining urban trees.
It creates a dedicated, long-term funding source specifically for urban forestry rather than relying on general environmental funds.
PROVISION 02
Requires applicants to perform tree canopy assessments and use climate change science in their project designs.
This ensures that trees are planted where they are most needed and are species that can survive changing local climates.
PROVISION 03
Mandates priority for census tracts with at least 20% poverty or neighborhoods with higher-than-average summer temperatures.
This legally directs federal resources toward environmental justice and the most vulnerable populations.
PROVISION 04
Limits spending on 'assessments' to 10% of the total funds.
This ensures that 90% of the money is spent on actual tree planting and maintenance rather than just planning and paperwork.
PROVISION 05
Adds a resident of a low-income community to the National Urban and Community Forestry Advisory Council.
It guarantees that people actually living in these neighborhoods have a seat at the table when federal tree policy is decided.
SPONSORSHIP
1 + 8
D· Ohio
YRS IN OFFICE
4
BILLS LED
25
COSPONSOR BREAKDOWNBIPARTISAN · 0%
DEM 8 REP 0 IND 0
ACTION TIMELINE
2 EVENTSAPR 23
Introduced in House
APR 23
Referred to the House Committee on Agriculture.
BILL INFO
TypeHouse Bill
NumberHR 8474
Congress119th
StatusIn Committee
IntroducedApr 23, 2026
Last actionApr 23, 2026
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IN COMMITTEE· 119TH CONGRESS · AGRICULTURE COMMITTEE · INTRODUCED APR 23, 2026
House BillHR 8474Public Lands and Natural Resources
Neighborhood Tree Act of 2026
This bill creates a federal fund to help cities plant and maintain trees in low-income and minority neighborhoods that currently lack shade and face higher summer heat.AI-written
INTRODUCED APR 23, 2026· LAST ACTION APR 23, 2026
PASSAGE CHANCES
—%
READING
6 min
COSPONSORS
8
COMPLEXITY
Moderate
