Sponsors (6)
Directs FEMA to fund smoke‑inhalation prevention equipment and, if needed, transitional sheltering for at‑risk people when AQI is "unhealthy" for 3 straight days due to wildfire smoke.
The bill expands targeted health protections (filters, masks, weatherization, and temporary shelter) and local coordination for vulnerable people during multi-day wildfire smoke events, improving immediate public-health outcomes but requiring federal funds and creating implementation and eligibility risks that could strain local agencies and leave some needy people out.
Low-income individuals and other at‑risk people (including those with chronic conditions and children) can receive free or subsidized air filters, high-quality masks, and weatherization supplies during multi-day unhealthy wildfire smoke events, reducing indoor smoke exposure and likely preventing respiratory hospitalizations.
People whose homes remain unsafe during severe smoke episodes (especially low-income households, seniors, and pregnant people) can access cost‑efficient transitional sheltering, lowering short-term exposure and health risks.
State and local public health authorities can coordinate targeted assistance and rapid local responses to wildfire smoke impacts, improving distribution and on-the-ground management of aid.
Implementation may burden state and local agencies with logistics and distribution responsibilities, potentially straining already limited public-health resources and capacity during wildfire seasons.
Eligibility tied to taxable income and federal poverty definitions could exclude some vulnerable people whose income or tax status doesn't align with those definitions, leaving at-risk households without needed support.
Taxpayers could face increased federal spending to supply equipment and fund transitional sheltering during wildfire seasons, adding to federal outlays.
Based on analysis of 2 sections of legislative text.
Official title: To authorize transitional sheltering assistance for individuals who live in areas with unhealthy air quality caused by wildfires, and for other purposes.
Introduced September 18, 2025 by Joseph Neguse · Last progress September 18, 2025
Provides FEMA authority, using the Transitional Sheltering Assistance program, to supply smoke‑inhalation prevention equipment and, when needed, cost‑efficient temporary sheltering to people at risk of illness from wildfire smoke when an area's air quality is "unhealthy" for at least three straight days. Eligible recipients include low‑income people, parents/guardians of children under 19, pregnant people, people 65 and older, and people with chronic respiratory or cardiovascular conditions; assistance is distributed through qualified entities such as states, local governments, local public health authorities, and coordinated care organizations. The measure defines a low‑income individual as someone with taxable income at or below 200% of the federal poverty level (per Census Bureau rules) and directs FEMA to prioritize providing equipment first and to use transitional sheltering only when equipment is insufficient or not cost‑effective.