Sponsors (48)
Requires the Federal official who runs the Low‑Income Home Energy Assistance program to hire and maintain a minimum number of staff to operate the program: at least 20 full-time staff in normal times and at least 30 during certain declared emergencies. The law also restricts how many of those positions can be filled by contractors except when a specified emergency allows more contractor hires, and it requires emergency hiring to begin within 45 days of the emergency determination and continue for at least 180 days.
The Secretary shall employ at least 20 staff who carry out this title.
Except as provided in subsection (c)(2), no more than 40 percent of staff who carry out this title may be contractors.
If an emergency is determined under section 2603(1)(C), (E), (F), or (G), the Secretary shall employ at least 30 staff who carry out this title during the emergency period.
The emergency staffing requirement must begin not later than 45 days after the date of the emergency determination.
The emergency staffing requirement must end no earlier than 180 days after the date of the emergency determination.
Primary effects: federal program administrators and the LIHEAP program itself are the direct targets. Requiring minimum federal staffing is intended to strengthen program administration and emergency responsiveness, which can help states and local agencies get faster federal support or coordination during energy crises. Low‑income households who rely on LIHEAP may experience faster or more consistent federal support because of increased staffing capacity, particularly during emergencies. Contractors who currently provide administrative or program support could see reduced opportunities in normal times due to contractor limits; conversely, contractor hiring may increase during specified emergencies. The provision imposes hiring obligations on the administering federal office but does not include an explicit funding provision; carrying out the requirement likely will require agency budget adjustments or future appropriations.
Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Education and Workforce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Last progress June 10, 2025 (8 months ago)
Introduced on June 10, 2025 by Josh S. Gottheimer