Tree planting grant program

(a) Establishment The Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, in coordination with the Secretary of Agriculture, acting through the Chief of the Forest Service, shall establish a grant program under which the Secretary shall award grants to eligible entities to plant qualifying trees for the purpose of mitigating and reducing high-surface temperatures and cooling the surrounding area. (b) Applications (1) In general An eligible entity that seeks to receive a grant under subsection (a) shall submit an application to the Secretary at such time, in such form, and containing such information as the Secretary may require. (2) Contents An application submitted under paragraph (1) shall include a 5-year timeline and budget for the planting and maintenance associated with qualifying trees. (3) Community involvement The Secretary shall require eligible entities to include in an application for a grant under this section a public participation plan to ensure that residents of the area in which a project is to be implemented are involved in decision-making about the project and such public participation plan may include— (A) opportunities for local nonprofit organizations to be involved; (B) opportunities for public input; and (C) demonstrated support from the community. (c) Priority In awarding grants under the program under subsection (a), the Secretary shall give priority to applicants proposing to utilize tree species that are proven to be more resilient to climate change and extreme weather events common in the area in which a project is to be implemented. (d) Use of amounts An eligible entity that receives a grant under subsection (a) shall use amounts provided through the grant to cover costs associated with— (1) implementing the tree planting project, including— (A) planning and designing the planting activity; (B) purchasing qualifying trees; and (C) preparing the site and conducting planting, including the labor and cost associated with the use of machinery; (2) maintaining and monitoring planted trees for a period of up to 5 years to ensure successful establishment of the qualifying trees; (3) training activities associated with the project; and (4) other relevant costs, as determined by the Secretary. (e) Authorization of appropriations There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out the Program $50,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2024 through 2034. (f) Definitions In this section: (1) Eligible entity The term eligible entity means— (A) a State, Territory, or Tribal agency; (B) a local governmental entity; (C) an Indian Tribe; or (D) a nonprofit organization. (2) Limited English proficiency household The term limited English proficiency household means that a household does not have an adult that speaks English very well as determined by the United States Census Bureau. (3) Local governmental entity The term local governmental entity means any municipal government or county government with jurisdiction over local land use decisions. (4) Qualifying tree The term qualifying tree means a tree that— (A) is a species that is not an invasive species in the eligible area in which such tree is to be planted; and (B) is not a species that is, in the eligible area at the time of planting, being attacked by an invasive species, unless the eligible entity has a plan to limit the risk of death of the tree to be planted. (5) Secretary In this section, the term Secretary means the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development.