Civilian Climate Corps for Jobs and Justice Act
- Sponsor
- Sen. Markey, Edward J. [D-MA]
- Committees
- Finance Committee (primary)
- Last action
- Sep 24, 2026
Bottom line
This bill seeks to mobilize a large workforce to address climate change and transition to a clean economy, with a strong focus on job creation, training, and support for historically underserved communities, while also strengthening labor protections for participants.
What it actually does
This bill establishes a Civilian Climate Corps (CCC) within the National and Community Service Act of 1990, creating a national climate service program and a national climate service grant program. It outlines comprehensive benefits for participants, including a living wage, health care, and educational awards, and mandates strong labor protections. The bill also sets ambitious targets for job creation, prioritizes climate-related projects for existing AmeriCorps programs, and authorizes significant appropriations to fund these initiatives, with a focus on environmental justice and workforce development in underserved communities.
Proponents argue
Supporters argue that the bill addresses the urgent climate crisis by creating a massive, skilled workforce for clean energy, climate resilience, and conservation projects. They highlight the focus on environmental justice, job creation for unemployed and under-resourced communities, and the provision of living wages, health care, and educational benefits, along with strong labor protections, as crucial for a just transition to a clean economy.
Opponents contend
Critics might argue that the scale of the proposed program and its associated costs are excessive, potentially leading to significant federal spending and an expansion of government. Concerns could also be raised about the feasibility of rapidly scaling such a large workforce, potential displacement of existing private sector jobs, and the extensive labor union provisions which some might view as overly prescriptive or burdensome for program administration.
The bill is moderately long and detailed, requiring dedicated time to understand its various components and implications.
Section 3, adding new Subtitle K, Section 199P
Establishment of the Civilian Climate Corps (CCC)
This section formally establishes the Civilian Climate Corps (CCC) under the Corporation for National and Community Service. It creates two main components: a national climate service program (66% of funds) where participants work directly on CCC projects, and a national climate service grant program (34% of funds) that provides grants to other entities to carry out projects.
Supporters argue
Supporters argue this establishes a vital framework for a large-scale, coordinated effort to address climate change while simultaneously creating jobs and fostering a skilled workforce.
Critics contend
Critics might express concern about the scale of government involvement in job creation and the potential for bureaucratic inefficiencies in managing such a large program.
Tradeoffs
Balances the need for rapid climate action with concerns about government size and potential economic impacts.
Section 3, adding new Subtitle K, Section 199Q
Direct National Climate Service Program Operations
This section details the direct operational arm of the CCC. It specifies eligibility (17+ years old, regardless of immigration status), mandates diverse recruitment with at least 50% from under-resourced communities, and requires service periods of 9-12 months, renewable once. It also includes environmental justice requirements, ensuring at least 50% of labor and investment supports projects in under-resourced communities, with 10% specifically for Indian country. It also includes prevailing wage requirements for contractors and labor neutrality/collective bargaining pledges for cooperating entities.
Section 3, adding new Subtitle K, Section 199R
Climate Service Grants to Partners
This section establishes a grant program for States, subdivisions, tribes, non-profits, labor organizations, federal agencies, and higher education institutions to carry out climate service projects. It allows for subgrants and interagency agreements, designates recipients as "Civilian Climate Corps Partners," and ensures participants receive CCC benefits. It waives matching fund requirements and includes similar environmental justice requirements (50% to under-resourced communities, 10% to Indian country) and apprenticeship priorities as the national program.
Section 3, adding new Subtitle K, Section 199S
Comprehensive Benefits Package for CCC Members
This section outlines the benefits for all CCC members. It mandates a living allowance of at least $20 per hour, increasing yearly, with prevailing wage requirements for laborers/mechanics and Service Contract Act minimums for service workers. It also provides for travel, quarters, subsistence, transportation, equipment, uniforms, supplies, and other necessary services. Crucially, it guarantees health care benefits (equivalent to a gold level plan on the American Health Benefit Exchange) and an educational benefit of up to $25,000 per term of service for tuition or student loan repayment.
Section 3, adding new Subtitle K, Sections 199V(d) and 199W(d)
Strong Labor Protections and Collective Bargaining Rights
These sections establish the Civilian Climate Corps as the employer of its members for labor relations purposes, granting members the right to organize, collectively bargain, and strike. It mandates that the CCC remain neutral in organizing efforts and recognize any labor organization with written majority authorization. It also sets forth a process for mediation and tripartite arbitration if collective bargaining agreements are not reached, and prohibits subcontracting to circumvent collective bargaining terms.
Section 3, adding new Subtitle K, Section 199X
Establishment of Advisory Board
This section establishes a Civilian Climate Corps Advisory Board to advise the Director on administration, coordinate activities, and assist in achieving program goals. The board includes representatives from various federal agencies (e.g., Labor, Energy, EPA, Interior, Agriculture), labor organizations, community organizations in under-resourced communities, Indian tribes, and scientific experts. Its duties include overseeing implementation, ensuring equity, expanding grantee training, liaising with federal agencies, and organizing green career opportunities.
Section 3, adding new Subtitle K, Section 199Y
Climate Corps Roadmap and Growth Targets
This section mandates the Chief Executive Officer, with advisory board guidance, to establish a "Climate Corps roadmap." This roadmap must include specific targets for the number of positions in both the national climate service program (growing from 50,000 in FY2027 to 400,000 in FY2031) and the grant program (growing from 25,000 to 200,000 in the same period). It also requires identifying federal partners, principles of equity, benchmarks for success, and plans to increase participation of "opportunity youth."
Section 4(a) amending Sections 122(f), 157(b)(1), and 109 of existing law
Integrating Climate Priorities into AmeriCorps
This section amends the National and Community Service Act of 1990 and the Domestic Volunteer Service Act of 1973 to require that AmeriCorps State and National, AmeriCorps NCCC, and AmeriCorps VISTA programs give priority to entities proposing activities directly related to climate crisis response and clean economy transition, as defined for the CCC in Section 199T. These priorities are set for fiscal years 2027 through 2036.
Section 4(b) amending Sections 105(b)(2) and 158(b) of the Domestic Volunteer Service Act of 1973 and Section 147(a) of the National and Community Service Act of 1990
Enhanced Benefits for AmeriCorps Participants
This section significantly increases the minimum subsistence allowance for VISTA volunteers to not less than $20 per hour and raises the AmeriCorps NCCC allowance to between $20 and $34 per hour. It also doubles the national service educational award for AmeriCorps participants to twice the maximum Federal Pell Grant amount.
Section 5(a)
Funding Authorization for Civilian Climate Corps
This section authorizes appropriations for the new Civilian Climate Corps programs. It authorizes $91.2 billion for general operations (excluding health and education benefits), $48.9 billion for educational benefits, and "such sums as may be necessary" for health care benefits, all for fiscal years 2027 through 2031.
Section 5(b)-(e)
Supplemental Funding for AmeriCorps Programs
This section authorizes additional appropriations for existing AmeriCorps programs for fiscal years 2027 through 2031. It includes $6.5 billion for AmeriCorps State and National financial assistance, $3.9 billion for national service educational awards, $6.5 billion for administration by the Corporation and State Commissions, and $1.3 billion each for AmeriCorps NCCC and AmeriCorps VISTA. These amounts are in addition to any previously appropriated funds.
Section 6 amending Sections 117(c) and 108(f) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986
Tax Exemption for Educational Awards and Loan Discharges
This section amends the Internal Revenue Code to exclude national service educational awards (from both existing AmeriCorps and the new CCC) and the discharge of student loan debt through these programs from gross income for tax purposes. This means participants would not have to pay income tax on these benefits.
Amends the tax code to ensure that educational awards received by Civilian Climate Corps and AmeriCorps members, as well as student loan debt discharged through these programs, are not counted as taxable income.
Section 6, amending the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.
Why it matters:This is standard legislative practice for tax implications of new programs, often placed at the end of a bill.
Case for: Supporters argue that making these benefits tax-free significantly increases their real value to participants, making the CCC and AmeriCorps more attractive and financially impactful, especially for those with student debt or from lower-income backgrounds.
Case against: Critics might argue that this represents a federal revenue loss that is not explicitly accounted for in the program's direct appropriations, effectively subsidizing participants through the tax code rather than direct spending.
Estimated impact: Reduces federal tax revenue by an unquantified amount, while increasing the net financial benefit for potentially hundreds of thousands of participants.
Requires that, to the maximum extent practicable, materials used for CCC projects are substantially manufactured, mined, and produced in the United States (in accordance with the Buy American Act). Additionally, when food and agricultural commodities are procured, at least 25% must be grown and processed within 250 miles of consumption, with priority for socially disadvantaged farmers/ranchers and small businesses.
Section 199Q(o) (within Section 3)
Why it matters:These are often considered standard "good government" or "economic development" clauses, and while important, are often placed within operational details rather than as standalone policy statements.
Case for: Proponents argue these provisions ensure that the significant federal investment in the CCC also supports domestic manufacturing, agriculture, and local economies, creating additional jobs and strengthening supply chains within the U.S.
Case against: Critics might argue that these requirements could increase project costs or create logistical challenges, especially the local food procurement, potentially slowing down project implementation or limiting flexibility in sourcing.
Estimated impact: Directs a portion of CCC procurement spending towards domestic and local producers, potentially boosting those sectors.