HEAT Act of 2025

Bill Number

H.R. 6701

Origin Chamber

House

Congress

119th Congress, Session 1

Policy Area

Transportation and Public Works

Status

Introduced

Latest Action

2025-12-13: Referred to the Subcommittee on Highways and Transit.

Last Updated

2026-06-03T08:08:43Z

AI-Generated Summary

Purpose

The Heat Emergency Assistance for Transportation Act of 2025 (HEAT Act of 2025) aims to address the growing threat of extreme heat to U.S. transportation infrastructure by expanding federal emergency funding eligibility, promoting research on heat-related damage, and establishing guidelines for better management. It recognizes extreme heat events, like heat waves, as a disaster that can damage roads, bridges, and other systems, leading to economic and safety risks.

Key Provisions

• Emergency Relief Funding (Section 3): Amends Section 125 of title 23, United States Code (which governs federal highway emergency relief), to explicitly include "extreme heat" and "heat waves" as qualifying disasters alongside events like storms and floods. This allows states to access federal funds for repairing or reconstructing heat-damaged infrastructure.
• Exceptions and Clarifications: Adds a rule that federal relief restrictions (e.g., on funding for general wear and tear) do not apply to bridges where damage is mainly due to extreme heat exposure, ensuring targeted support for heat-specific issues.
• Study on Extreme Heat Events (Section 4): Requires the Secretary of Transportation to commission a study by the Transportation Research Board (part of the National Academies) within one year of enactment. The study must:
• Assess the costs of extreme heat events, focusing on long, intense heat waves.
• Recommend ways to track and distinguish heat damage from normal aging.
• Suggest how the federal government can help state transportation departments, public transit, Amtrak, freight rail, and others monitor heat impacts.
• Involve consultations with experts from the Environmental Protection Agency, state agencies, rail operators, engineers, and disaster management groups.
• Result in a report submitted to the Secretary and key congressional committees.
• Best Management Practices Report (Section 5): Mandates the Secretary of Transportation to release a report within one year on updated safety practices for highways and bridges to mitigate extreme heat risks, incorporating new research and technologies.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

• Expands the definition of eligible disasters under title 23, Section 125, by adding extreme heat and heat waves, which were previously not explicitly covered despite their effects on infrastructure (e.g., cracking expansion joints, weakening concrete and steel, or jamming movable bridges).
• Introduces an exception to existing limits on funding for deteriorated bridges, allowing relief specifically for heat-induced damage rather than routine maintenance issues.
• Shifts language from "extreme weather, flooding, and other natural disasters" to include "heat waves," broadening the scope without altering core funding mechanisms.

Potential Impacts

• Government Agencies: State and federal transportation departments (e.g., U.S. Department of Transportation) gain access to emergency funds for heat repairs, potentially reducing backlogs in infrastructure maintenance. Rural areas with limited road networks may see faster recovery from disruptions, improving emergency response times.
• Citizens: Reduces risks from bridge failures or road closures during heat waves, enhancing public safety and daily commuting. Economic continuity is supported by minimizing supply chain interruptions, which could lower costs for goods and services in affected regions.
• International Relations: Minimal direct impact, though it indirectly supports U.S. freight and rail systems that handle cross-border trade, potentially stabilizing economic ties with neighbors like Canada and Mexico.
• Overall, the act could lead to more resilient infrastructure nationwide, especially for aging bridges (over 85,000 of which are more than 50 years old), but implementation depends on funding availability and study outcomes.

Main Stakeholders Affected

• State Departments of Transportation and Local Governments: Primary beneficiaries of expanded emergency funding and technical assistance for repairs.
• Transportation Users and Operators: Includes commuters, freight shippers, Amtrak, public transit systems, and rail companies, who face disruptions from heat-damaged infrastructure.
• Rural and Underserved Communities: At higher risk due to limited alternative routes; the act addresses isolation and safety concerns in these areas.
• Engineering and Research Groups: Involved in the required study and reports, gaining opportunities to influence federal standards.
• Federal Agencies: U.S. Department of Transportation and Environmental Protection Agency must coordinate studies and guidance, increasing their workload on climate-related issues.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

• Legal: Strengthens federal disaster relief under title 23 by filling a gap in coverage for climate-driven events like extreme heat, without requiring new appropriations (relies on existing emergency funds). The study mandate promotes evidence-based policy, potentially leading to future regulations on infrastructure design.
• Constitutional: Aligns with Congress's authority under the Commerce Clause to regulate interstate transportation and provide disaster aid; no apparent conflicts with state powers, as it enhances cooperative federal-state funding.
• Political: Highlights emerging climate risks to infrastructure, potentially sparking bipartisan support for resilience measures amid rising heat events. It avoids controversial mandates, focusing on funding and research, but could influence debates on federal spending for environmental adaptation.

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

Sponsor

Rep. Stanton, Greg [D-AZ-4]

Cosponsors (1)

Rep. Lawler, Michael [R-NY-17]

Recent Actions

• 2025-12-13: Referred to the Subcommittee on Highways and Transit.
• 2025-12-12: Referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
• 2025-12-12: Introduced in House
• 2025-12-12: Introduced in House

Bill Versions

• Heat Emergency Assistance for Transportation Act of 2025 — issued 2025-12-12 — PDF (6 pages)