Preventing HEAT Illness and Deaths Act of 2025
- Bill Number
- H.R. 5104
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Health
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-09-03: Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, 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 Updated
- 2025-12-10T09:06:26Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose This legislation aims to reduce health risks from extreme heat by creating coordinated federal systems for data, research, planning, preparedness, and response. It focuses on improving information delivery, supporting vulnerable populations, and providing financial assistance for resilience measures.
Key Provisions
- Definitions: Establishes terms such as "extreme heat," "heat event," "heat-health," "urban heat island," and "community with environmental justice concerns" to guide implementation.
- Findings: Notes that extreme heat is the leading cause of weather-related deaths, disproportionately affects certain groups, and requires better data and coordination.
- National Integrated Heat Health Information System Interagency Committee: Creates an interagency body led by NOAA with representatives from HHS, DHS, EPA, and other agencies to coordinate federal efforts, develop a 5-year strategic plan, and improve data sharing.
- National Integrated Heat Health Information System (NIHHIS): Establishes this system within NOAA to deliver forecasts, warnings, and tools; conduct research; manage data openly; and support grants for heat resilience.
- Study Requirement: Directs a National Academies study within 3 years to identify gaps in heat data, policy, and response, with recommendations on equity and preparedness.
- Financial Assistance Program: Authorizes grants, contracts, and prizes for projects like urban cooling, tree planting, training, and heat action plans, with at least 40% directed to environmental justice and low-income communities.
- Authorizations: Provides funding for fiscal years 2026–2030, totaling up to $100 million for the systems and $100 million for assistance programs.
Significant Changes to Existing Law The bill introduces new federal structures rather than amending prior statutes. It creates dedicated NOAA-led systems and an interagency committee not previously required by law, expands coordination mandates across agencies, and establishes a new grant program for heat resilience. It references existing tools like the CDC Heat and Health Tracker but does not alter their underlying authorities.
Potential Impacts
- Government Agencies: Increases coordination demands on NOAA, HHS, FEMA, and others; requires data management and strategic planning efforts.
- Citizens: Enhances access to heat warnings and resilience resources for at-risk groups, including older adults, outdoor workers, and low-income communities; supports local projects to reduce heat exposure.
- International Relations: Encourages collaboration with global partners on research and best practices but does not create binding international obligations.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Federal agencies (NOAA, HHS, DHS, EPA, and others).
- State, local, and Tribal governments.
- Communities with environmental justice concerns, low-income areas, and populations vulnerable to heat (e.g., elderly, children, outdoor workers, people with disabilities).
- Nonprofit organizations, academic institutions, and centers of excellence eligible for grants.
- Employers and workers in heat-exposed industries.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications The bill operates within Congress's authority over public health, commerce, and science funding. It emphasizes data transparency, equity considerations, and environmental justice without introducing new regulatory mandates on private parties. No major constitutional concerns are evident in the text, though implementation will depend on appropriations and agency coordination.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Rep. Bonamici, Suzanne [D-OR-1]
Cosponsors (12)
Rep. Castor, Kathy [D-FL-14], Rep. Nadler, Jerrold [D-NY-12], Rep. Scott, Robert C. "Bobby" [D-VA-3], Rep. Dexter, Maxine [D-OR-3], Rep. Mullin, Kevin [D-CA-15], Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large], Rep. McClellan, Jennifer L. [D-VA-4], Rep. Khanna, Ro [D-CA-17], Rep. Magaziner, Seth [D-RI-2], Rep. Budzinski, Nikki [D-IL-13], Rep. DeSaulnier, Mark [D-CA-10], Rep. Goldman, Daniel S. [D-NY-10]
Recent Actions
- 2025-09-03: Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, 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.
- 2025-09-03: Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, 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.
- 2025-09-03: Introduced in House
- 2025-09-03: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Preventing Health Emergencies And Temperature-related Illness and Deaths Act of 2025 — issued 2025-09-03 — PDF (37 pages)