Excess Urban Heat Mitigation Act of 2025
- Bill Number
- S. 1166
- Origin Chamber
- Senate
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Housing and Community Development
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-03-27: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.
- Last Updated
- 2026-01-21T06:42:14Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
The Excess Urban Heat Mitigation Act of 2025 aims to address the growing risks of extreme heat in urban areas by creating a federal grant program. It focuses on reducing heat-related deaths, illnesses, and economic costs, particularly in low-income and underserved communities disproportionately affected by urban heat islands (areas where cities are warmer than surrounding rural zones due to human-made factors like concrete and lack of trees). The program promotes solutions like tree planting and cooling infrastructure to build resilience against climate change.
Key Provisions
- Establishment of Grant Program: The Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) must create the program within one year of enactment, working with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), U.S. Forest Service, and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Grants fund projects to cool urban areas or manage heat impacts.
- Eligible Recipients and Projects:
- Recipients include states, local governments, metropolitan planning organizations, Indian tribes, territorial governments, nonprofits, or consortia of nonprofits.
- Projects can include tree planting (preferring native, shade-producing species), cool pavements/roofs, green roofs, shade structures, cooling centers (ideally using renewable energy and tied to community spaces), community gardens, outreach/education on heat risks, urban forestry plans, tree canopy assessments, arborist training, and tree maintenance.
- Priorities and Set-Asides: At least 75% of grants must go to high-poverty census tracts (areas with 20% or higher poverty rates, including historically redlined neighborhoods). Priority is given to areas with low tree cover and high summer temperatures.
- Application and Engagement Requirements: Applicants must describe project benefits, community engagement plans (including consultation with local stakeholders and community-based organizations), and links between health, environment, and urban design. HUD must issue application guidance within 180 days.
- Funding and Matching: Federal share covers up to 80% of costs (waivable to 100% for economically hard-hit areas). Up to 3% of funds for technical assistance (e.g., application help, budgeting) prioritizing disadvantaged areas; up to 5% for oversight.
- Oversight and Reporting: An advisory board (with representatives from federal agencies, nonprofits, and academia) evaluates grant selection and project progress using a success rubric. HUD reports annually to Congress on grant recipients and distribution.
- Funding Authorization: $30 million per year from fiscal years 2026 through 2033.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
This bill introduces a new grant program under HUD's Office of Community Planning and Development, with no direct amendments to prior laws. It builds on existing frameworks like the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974 (for definitions of states, locals, and tribes) but creates fresh funding and coordination mechanisms for urban heat mitigation, emphasizing environmental justice (fair treatment in environmental policies regardless of race, income, or background).
Potential Impacts
- Government Agencies: HUD gains new responsibilities for program administration, coordination, and reporting, potentially increasing workload but with dedicated funding. Partner agencies (EPA, Forest Service, NOAA) provide expertise, fostering inter-agency collaboration on climate adaptation.
- Citizens: Urban residents, especially in low-income, high-heat areas and communities of color, could see reduced heat-related health risks (e.g., fewer deaths, illnesses), lower energy costs, and improved quality of life through cooler spaces and education. Economic benefits include reduced healthcare and infrastructure expenses.
- International Relations: Minimal direct impact, though it supports U.S. climate goals by demonstrating domestic action on heat waves, which are global issues.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Underserved Communities: Low-income residents, people of color, and those in high-poverty or historically disadvantaged urban areas benefit most from targeted projects.
- Local Governments and Nonprofits: Eligible entities receive grants and technical support to implement cooling initiatives, enhancing community resilience.
- Federal Agencies: HUD leads implementation; EPA, Forest Service, and others contribute to oversight and expertise.
- Environmental and Health Advocates: Nonprofits and researchers on the oversight board influence project evaluation, promoting equitable solutions.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: Emphasizes environmental justice by prioritizing disadvantaged areas, aligning with executive orders on equity in federal programs. The oversight board ensures accountability without creating new regulatory burdens.
- Constitutional: Relies on Congress's spending power to fund state and local projects, with no apparent free speech or property rights issues. Waiver of matching funds for hardship areas supports equal protection principles by addressing economic disparities.
- Political: Sponsored by a bipartisan group of senators but focuses on climate adaptation, potentially bridging environmental and urban policy divides. Annual reporting to Congress promotes transparency, while the $240 million total authorization (over 8 years) signals modest but sustained federal investment in public health and equity amid rising heat risks.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (6)
Sen. Markey, Edward J. [D-MA], Sen. Wyden, Ron [D-OR], Sen. Merkley, Jeff [D-OR], Sen. Sanders, Bernard [I-VT], Sen. Booker, Cory A. [D-NJ], Sen. Padilla, Alex [D-CA]
Recent Actions
- 2025-03-27: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.
- 2025-03-27: Introduced in Senate
Bill Versions
- Excess Urban Heat Mitigation Act of 2025 — issued 2025-03-27 — PDF (14 pages)