Sponsors (9)
The bill strengthens FEMA guidance, transparency, and funding eligibility to better prepare communities, first responders, and vulnerable people for extreme heat and cold—but doing so raises federal and local costs, administrative burdens, and risks uneven implementation that could leave some communities behind or delay immediate actions.
State and local emergency planners and applicants get clearer, standardized FEMA definitions and guidance (incident periods, extreme heat/cold, and Public Assistance rules), improving eligibility determinations, planning consistency, and transparency for disaster assistance.
Local and state governments gain clearer eligibility and federal support for heat/cold mitigation projects and resilience/cooling centers (hazard-mitigation grants, cooling centers, shaded transit stops), increasing access to infrastructure funding that protects communities from extreme temperatures.
First responders, health systems, and FEMA personnel can receive equipment, stockpiles, installations, and recommended training to maintain operations and reduce heat- and cold-related injuries during extreme temperature events.
Taxpayers may face higher federal spending and administrative costs to expand FEMA programs, hold panels, and produce rulemaking and guidance updates.
State and local governments, and hospitals may incur new financial and administrative burdens (matching funds, plan and project updates, infrastructure upgrades) that strain budgets and capacity.
Vulnerable and disadvantaged communities risk being left behind if guidance is vague, funding is insufficient, or competition for limited mitigation funds leaves some projects unfunded.
Based on analysis of 5 sections of legislative text.
Directs FEMA to convene a panel, study extreme temperature impacts, issue guidance, and authorize heat/cold preparedness and mitigation projects under existing Stafford Act authorities.
Requires FEMA to study and better prepare for extreme heat and cold by creating an advisory panel, producing guidance, and treating certain heat- and cold-focused preparedness and mitigation projects as eligible under the Stafford Act. It directs FEMA to issue guidance and reports within set timeframes and to begin rulemaking on recommendations after congressional review.
Introduced May 29, 2025 by Alice Costandina Titus · Last progress May 29, 2025