Federal climate corps would pay and train members if funded

The federal service agency would operate national work teams and award grants to partner organizations. Projects could improve energy systems, clean up pollution, prepare for and recover from disasters, restore natural areas, and support other climate-related work. The staffing roadmap could be carried out only when Congress provides money and suitable service opportunities exist. At least 50% of national-program labor and investment would support under-resourced communities. At least 10% of that share would support projects in Indian country. Of money provided for the Corps, 66% would support the national program and 34% would support the grant program. The roadmap calls for 75,000 positions in fiscal year 2027, rising to 600,000 in fiscal year 2031.

Selected Corps members would receive pay, training, health-plan help, support services, and an education benefit. National-team applicants would need to be at least 17 by December 31 of their enrollment year, regardless of immigration status. The living allowance could not be less than the equivalent of $20 per hour. Construction and service work could require higher local wage and benefit rates. Health-plan help would be available only when a member buys a gold-level marketplace plan and does not receive equal coverage elsewhere. After completing a term, a member could receive up to $25,000 for higher education or qualified student loans but could not also receive the standard national-service education award. National-team service would last nine months to one year and could be renewed once. Partner-project members would agree to at least 1,700 hours during a stated 10-to-12-month period and could serve two terms.

The grant program would divide its money between an allotment process and competitive awards. Eligible recipients would include state, local, territorial, and tribal governments, nonprofits, labor groups, federal agencies, and colleges. At least 50% of grant-program money would support projects in under-resourced communities. At least 10% of that share would support projects in Indian country. An approved state would receive at least $600,000 through the allotment process. A grant could cover the full program cost. Unless another law permits it, an organization could not receive this grant while receiving another national-service grant.

Corps members would have organizing, bargaining, and strike rights, while covered partners and contractors would face labor rules. Members generally would not be federal employees, but national-team members would count as federal employees for work-injury compensation and federal injury-related claims. The Corps would recognize and bargain with a union supported by signed authorization from a majority of the appropriate group of members. Bargaining would begin within 10 days of a valid request unless both sides allow more time. Unresolved disputes could proceed to mediation and then binding arbitration. Entities working with the national program would have to remain neutral during organizing and recognize a union with majority written support. Project contractors would pay local prevailing wages or applicable union rates. Either side could seek mediation after 90 days of bargaining without agreement. The dispute would go to arbitration if mediation remained unsuccessful after 30 days, unless the parties extended either period.

Other national-service programs would change their climate priorities, payments, education awards, matching percentage, funding authority, and tax treatment. The provisions cover specified AmeriCorps and VISTA programs, national-service education awards, and qualifying student-loan payments made through those programs. Certain volunteer allowances could rise only if Congress provides enough money to increase participation above the preceding fiscal year's level. The bill would authorize, but would not itself provide, $159.6 billion in specified funding plus whatever is needed for Corps health benefits. A referenced national-service matching-funds percentage would change from 75% to 100%. The climate priority for NCCC and VISTA would run from fiscal years 2027 through 2036. Most listed funding authority covers fiscal years 2027 through 2031, and the tax changes would cover tax years ending after enactment.