Sponsors (3)
Referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
Last progress June 4, 2025 (9 months ago)
Introduced on June 4, 2025 by Greg Stanton
Authorizes the President, acting through FEMA regional administrators, to provide grants, equipment, supplies, and personnel to state and local governments to prevent, mitigate, and manage extreme heat events. The measure requires FEMA to coordinate with NOAA and consult CDC, set eligibility and application rules, create an appeals process, and permits using existing FEMA authorities for assistance. Within 90 days of enactment the FEMA Administrator (with NOAA and CDC consultation) must set a clear temperature-and-duration threshold that defines an "extreme heat event." The law directs rulemaking and administrative procedures so state and local governments can apply for federal help to protect people and critical services during extreme heat episodes.
Adds a new Section 431 (Mitigation of extreme heat events) to Title IV of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5170 et seq.).
The President, acting through the Regional Administrator of FEMA, may provide assistance (including grants, equipment, supplies, and personnel) to any State or local government for the mitigation and management of an extreme heat event.
The President shall coordinate with the head of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) when providing assistance under this section.
To be eligible for assistance, a State or local government must submit an assessment of the potential loss of life due to the extreme heat event based on information on previous events, if such events have occurred.
To be eligible for assistance, a State or local government must submit an assessment of the potential loss of revenue to the government due to the extreme heat event based on any previous events.
Who is affected and how:
State governments: Primary applicants and program administrators. States will prepare applications, meet eligibility rules, and coordinate distribution of federal grants, equipment, supplies, and personnel to local jurisdictions. They may also be asked to provide matching information or meet reporting requirements depending on implementing rules.
Local governments: Direct recipients/beneficiaries of assistance on the ground. Local agencies (public health, emergency management, utilities, transit, and others) will implement heat mitigation projects, open cooling centers, deploy supplies and equipment, and request personnel support.
Federal agencies (FEMA, NOAA, CDC): FEMA implements the program and handles applications, awards, and appeals; NOAA helps define meteorological triggers and technical guidance; CDC provides public-health consultation for thresholds and response priorities.
Vulnerable populations and frontline workers: Seniors, people with chronic illness, unhoused people, outdoor workers, and communities in heat-prone areas stand to benefit from increased resources and mitigation actions (cooling centers, temporary shelter, medical support, distribution of water and supplies).
Health care and emergency responders: EMS, hospitals, public health departments, and first responders could receive equipment, supplies, and personnel support to handle heat-related surges in illness and mortality.
Potential costs and administrative effects:
Overall effect: The measure creates a legal mechanism to marshal federal resources specifically for extreme heat events, strengthening federal-state-local coordination and potentially reducing heat-related harm—provided funding and effective rulemaking follow.