CAP Act of 2025

Bill Number

H.R. 2996

Origin Chamber

House

Congress

119th Congress, Session 1

Policy Area

Environmental Protection

Status

Introduced

Latest Action

2025-04-24: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.

Last Updated

2025-05-20T12:55:37Z

AI-Generated Summary

Purpose

The Climate Adaptation Plan Act of 2025 (H.R. 2996) aims to help certain local and tribal entities prepare for climate change by funding the creation of tailored plans. It directs the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to set up a grant program that supports these entities in assessing risks and developing strategies to adapt to climate impacts, with a focus on vulnerable communities.

Key Provisions

• Grant Program Establishment: The EPA Administrator must create a competitive grant program within one year of the bill's enactment to fund eligible entities in developing climate adaptation plans. These plans serve as frameworks for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and implementing measures to adapt to climate change.
• Guidance and Consultation: The EPA will issue implementation guidance after consulting diverse stakeholders, such as youth representatives, farmers, nongovernmental organizations, scientists, trade unions, businesses, Indigenous communities, and local governments.
• Application Requirements: Eligible entities must submit detailed applications, including:
• Proof that a low-income community (defined as a census area where 30% or more of households earn at or below 80% of the area's median income or 200% of the federal poverty line) is part of their population.
• Evidence of experience (or plans to hire experts) in climate risk assessments, hazard mitigation (actions to reduce disaster risks), project financing, and federal grant applications.
• Demographic data on population size, income, race, education, and main employment sectors.
• A description of the need for the plan, current or potential climate impacts, stakeholder engagement strategy (including affected Indigenous groups and neighbors), leadership details, third-party involvement, timeline, and steps to inform environmental justice communities.
• Plan Integration and Content: Funded plans must integrate with existing local strategies, such as hazard mitigation plans (under federal disaster law), land use plans, economic development plans, capital improvement plans, community plans, and emergency management plans. Plans must include:
• Risk assessments for the population, considering factors like location, race, ethnicity, income, health, and systemic racism.
• Risk assessments for natural ecosystems, based on geography and species.
• Risk assessments for housing, infrastructure, and public buildings.
• Planned actions, such as updating land use rules, zoning, building codes, or restoring/protecting natural areas.
• Priorities and Funding Rules: Grants prioritize entities serving environmental justice communities (areas with high concentrations of communities of color, low-income groups, or Indigenous peoples facing disproportionate climate health or environmental harms). No matching funds are required from recipients.
• Definitions: Key terms include "eligible entity" (local governments, their agencies, federally recognized Indian Tribes, or authorized Tribal/Alaska Native organizations); "local government" (counties, cities, school districts, etc.); and others as noted above.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

This bill introduces a new EPA grant program specifically for climate adaptation planning, which does not appear to amend prior laws directly. It builds on existing frameworks like the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (for hazard mitigation plans) by requiring integration, but creates standalone funding and requirements focused on climate risks, equity, and stakeholder inclusion not previously mandated at this level for such entities.

Potential Impacts

• Government Agencies: The EPA will gain new responsibilities for program administration, guidance development, application review, and grant awards, potentially increasing its workload and budget needs. Local and tribal governments may see streamlined access to federal support for planning.
• Citizens: Residents in low-income, environmental justice, and Indigenous communities could benefit from better-prepared local responses to climate threats like extreme weather, reducing health and economic risks. It promotes equitable planning by emphasizing demographics and systemic factors.
• International Relations: No direct impacts, as the bill focuses on domestic entities and U.S.-based climate adaptation.

Main Stakeholders Affected

• Eligible Entities: Local governments (e.g., cities, counties, school districts), tribal governing bodies, and authorized Tribal or Alaska Native organizations, who can apply for and receive grants.
• Communities: Low-income populations, environmental justice communities (including communities of color and Indigenous groups), and those at risk from climate change, who gain from targeted risk assessments and adaptation actions.
• Consulted Groups: Youth, farmers, nongovernmental organizations, scientists, trade unions, businesses, and neighboring jurisdictions, involved in guidance and plan development for broader input.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

• Legal: Authorizes federal spending through competitive grants without matching requirements, potentially easing access for under-resourced entities. It mandates detailed equity considerations in applications and plans, which could influence future EPA regulations on climate justice.
• Constitutional: Supports federalism by providing funds to state, local, and tribal governments for local planning, aligning with Congress's spending power under the Constitution. Tribal inclusion respects sovereignty by recognizing federally recognized Tribes as eligible.
• Political: Emphasizes environmental justice and stakeholder diversity, which may advance equity goals in climate policy but could spark debates over federal priorities in resource allocation amid competing environmental or economic needs. The bill's focus on adaptation (vs. mitigation) highlights a proactive approach to unavoidable climate effects.

This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.

Sponsor

Rep. Escobar, Veronica [D-TX-16]

Recent Actions

• 2025-04-24: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
• 2025-04-24: Introduced in House
• 2025-04-24: Introduced in House

Bill Versions

• Climate Adaptation Plan Act of 2025 — issued 2025-04-24 — PDF (9 pages)