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Neighborhood Tree Act of 2023

1/26/2024, 5:14 AM

Summary of Bill S 1380

Bill 118 s 1380, also known as the Neighborhood Tree Act of 2023, is a piece of legislation introduced in the US Congress with the aim of promoting the planting and maintenance of trees in urban and suburban neighborhoods across the country. The bill seeks to address the issue of declining tree canopy coverage in many communities, which has been linked to various environmental and health concerns.

The Neighborhood Tree Act of 2023 proposes several key measures to achieve its goals. Firstly, it calls for the establishment of a grant program to provide funding to local governments and community organizations for tree planting initiatives. These grants would be used to purchase and plant trees in public spaces such as parks, streets, and school grounds.

Additionally, the bill includes provisions for the maintenance and care of newly planted trees, including watering, pruning, and pest control. It also encourages the use of native tree species that are well-suited to local climate and soil conditions, in order to promote biodiversity and resilience in urban forests. Furthermore, the Neighborhood Tree Act of 2023 emphasizes the importance of community engagement and education in tree planting efforts. It calls for the development of outreach programs to raise awareness about the benefits of trees, as well as training opportunities for volunteers and local residents to participate in tree planting and care activities. Overall, Bill 118 s 1380 aims to improve the quality of life in urban and suburban neighborhoods by increasing tree canopy coverage and promoting environmental sustainability. By investing in tree planting initiatives and community engagement, the legislation seeks to create healthier, more vibrant communities for all residents to enjoy.

Congressional Summary of S 1380

Neighborhood Tree Act of 2023

This bill provides for additional assistance to states, Indian tribes, units of local government, approved organizations, and local community tree volunteer groups to plant and maintain trees.

The Department of Agriculture (USDA) shall establish a Neighborhood Tree Fund from which to provide assistance to such entities to increase and improve the overall health of the tree canopies in their communities.

In providing the assistance, USDA must give priority to those entities with proposed projects that include and prioritize tree planting and tree maintenance in underserved communities and neighborhoods, including those that are low-income or have a lower tree canopy.

The bill modifies the composition of the membership of the Forestry Advisory Council by (1) increasing the number of council members to 16, and (2) including as a member of the council one individual who is the resident of a low-income community.

Current Status of Bill S 1380

Bill S 1380 is currently in the status of Bill Introduced since April 27, 2023. Bill S 1380 was introduced during Congress 118 and was introduced to the Senate on April 27, 2023.  Bill S 1380's most recent activity was Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs. Hearings held. as of January 25, 2024

Bipartisan Support of Bill S 1380

Total Number of Sponsors
1
Democrat Sponsors
1
Republican Sponsors
0
Unaffiliated Sponsors
0
Total Number of Cosponsors
4
Democrat Cosponsors
2
Republican Cosponsors
0
Unaffiliated Cosponsors
2

Policy Area and Potential Impact of Bill S 1380

Primary Policy Focus

Public Lands and Natural Resources

Potential Impact Areas

- Advisory bodies
- Community life and organization
- Congressional oversight
- Crime prevention
- Crime victims
- Department of Health and Human Services
- Employment and training programs
- Executive agency funding and structure
- Firearms and explosives
- Government information and archives
- Government studies and investigations
- Health facilities and institutions
- Intergovernmental relations
- Performance measurement
- Policy sciences
- Racial and ethnic relations
- Social work, volunteer service, charitable organizations
- Violent crime
- Youth employment and child labor

Alternate Title(s) of Bill S 1380

Neighborhood Tree Act of 2023
Neighborhood Tree Act of 2023
A bill to amend the Cooperative Forestry Assistance Act of 1978 to provide States and communities with additional assistance to plant and maintain trees, and for other purposes.

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