Record temperatures kindle interest in heat legislation
[...]
The bipartisan “Extreme Heat Emergency Act,” H.R. 3965, from Reps. Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.), Sylvia Garcia (D-Texas) and Mark Amodei (R-Nev.) would add high temperatures to the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s list of major disasters. That would open the door to federal aid.
[...]
Earlier this year, Gallego reintroduced the “Excess Urban Heat Mitigation Act,” H.R. 2945, with Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-N.J.), to authorize Department of Housing and Urban Development grants. Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio) is sponsoring a Senate companion, S. 1379.
The legislation would authorize $30 million each year through fiscal 2030. At least 75 percent of the money would go to low-income and disadvantaged communities. No Republican has signed on.
Watson Coleman, Gallego and several other Democrats are also supporting H.R. 4314, the “Stay Cool Act,” which includes provisions for cooling centers, health studies and grants. The legislation would also revise public housing rules to make sure people have access to air conditioning.
[...]