Preventing HEAT Illness and Deaths Act of 2025
- Sponsor
- Rep. Bonamici, Suzanne [D-OR-1]
- Committees
- Science, Space, and Technology Committee (primary)
- Last action
- Sep 3, 2025
Bottom line
This bill aims to create a coordinated federal response to extreme heat, focusing on data, research, and community resilience, particularly for vulnerable populations.
What it actually does
This bill establishes the National Integrated Heat Health Information System (NIHHIS) within NOAA and an Interagency Committee to coordinate federal efforts on extreme heat. It mandates a study by the National Academies on extreme heat information and response, and creates a financial assistance program to fund community-level heat resilience projects, with a focus on vulnerable populations.
Proponents argue
Supporters argue that extreme heat is the leading cause of weather-related deaths and disproportionately impacts vulnerable communities, necessitating a comprehensive, integrated federal approach. They contend that the bill's focus on data, research, interagency coordination, and direct community assistance will improve preparedness, planning, and response to save lives and build long-term resilience.
Opponents contend
No explicit opposition is stated in the provided text. Potential critics might raise concerns about the cost of new federal programs, potential bureaucratic expansion through the interagency committee, or argue that heat-related issues are primarily local responsibilities.
The bill is moderately detailed but accessible, allowing an informed reader to evaluate its provisions within a reasonable timeframe.
Sec. 2
Definitions
This section establishes precise meanings for terms central to the bill, such as 'extreme heat' (heat substantially exceeding local norms in duration, intensity, season length, or frequency) and 'community with environmental justice concerns' (communities of color, low-income, or Tribal/indigenous experiencing higher adverse health/environmental effects). It also defines 'heat-health,' 'planning,' 'preparedness,' 'response,' and 'urban heat island' to ensure consistent application of the bill's provisions.
Supporters argue
Proponents argue that clear and consistent definitions are essential for effective policy implementation, ensuring that resources and efforts are accurately targeted towards the most pressing issues and vulnerable populations identified in the bill.
Critics contend
No specific opposition is typically raised against this provision because definitions are standard legislative practice.
Tradeoffs
None apparent, as definitions aim for clarity and consistency.
Sec. 3
Congressional Findings on Extreme Heat Risks
This section outlines Congress's rationale for the bill, stating that extreme heat events are the leading cause of weather-related deaths in the U.S. and are projected to increase. It highlights that heat disproportionately affects vulnerable populations, including the elderly, pregnant individuals, low-income communities, and communities of color, exacerbated by factors like the urban heat island effect and lack of integrated information and resources.
Sec. 4
National Integrated Heat Health Information System Interagency Committee
This section establishes the National Integrated Heat Health Information System Interagency Committee (Committee) within the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). The Committee is tasked with coordinating activities across numerous federal agencies, including Commerce, HHS, Interior, EPA, and FEMA, to ensure a united federal approach to reducing heat-health risks. It requires the Committee to develop a 5-year strategic plan for improving data collection, research, and financing mechanisms for heat planning, preparedness, and response.
Sec. 5
National Integrated Heat Health Information System (NIHHIS)
This section establishes the National Integrated Heat Health Information System (NIHHIS) within NOAA, headed by a Director. Its purpose is to improve the delivery of heat-related data, forecasts, and warnings, develop science-based solutions for heat resilience, and provide grants to centers of excellence. NIHHIS is mandated to build relationships with federal and non-federal partners, engage in international collaboration, enhance observations, and conduct public awareness campaigns. It also includes provisions for open data management adhering to FAIR and CARE principles, and a climate and health research grant program.
Sec. 6
Study on Extreme Heat Information and Response
This section requires the Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere, in consultation with the NIHHIS Interagency Committee, to contract with the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine for a study on extreme heat information and response. The study must identify policy and research gaps, such as regions with awareness gaps, data on facilities lacking air conditioning, demographic impacts of heat events, and medical coding for heat-related illnesses. It will also provide recommendations for addressing these gaps, including strategies for communicating warnings to vulnerable populations and understanding compound risks.
Sec. 7
Financial Assistance for Resilience in Addressing Extreme Heat and Health Risks
This section authorizes the Director of NIHHIS to establish a community heat resilience program, providing financial assistance (prizes, contracts, grants, cooperative agreements) to eligible entities such as nonprofits, states, Indian Tribes, local governments, and academic institutions. The funding supports projects that reduce heat-health risks, including sustainable heat reduction (e.g., cool roofs, urban forestry, cooling centers), training programs, and community-based awareness and emergency action plans. The program prioritizes historically disadvantaged communities and mandates that at least 40% of funds go to environmental justice or low-income communities.
Sec. 8
Authorization of Appropriations
This section authorizes specific appropriations for the bill's various components. It allocates $20 million annually for fiscal years 2026-2030 for the NIHHIS Interagency Committee and NIHHIS. It authorizes $500,000 annually for fiscal years 2026-2028 for the National Academies study. For the Community Heat Resilience Program, it authorizes $10 million for FY2026-2027, $20 million for FY2028, and $30 million for FY2029-2030.
Requires the Director of NIHHIS and interagency partners to develop data management strategies ensuring data and metadata are stewarded, maintained, and archived according to 'findable, accessible, interoperable, and reusable (FAIR)' and 'collective benefit, authority to control, responsibility, and ethics (CARE)' principles.
Sec. 5(e)(2)
Why it matters:This is standard legislative practice for technical data governance requirements, often placed in operational sections rather than highlighted as a standalone policy statement.
Case for: Supporters argue that adhering to FAIR and CARE principles is essential for maximizing the utility of collected data while ensuring ethical handling, privacy, and responsible use, particularly for sensitive health and community-specific information.
Case against: Critics might contend that implementing and enforcing these comprehensive data principles across numerous agencies could impose significant technical and administrative burdens, potentially slowing down data sharing and integration if not adequately resourced.
Estimated impact: Significantly enhances the quality, accessibility, and ethical governance of all heat-health data collected and managed under the NIHHIS, impacting federal agencies, researchers, and communities providing data.
Mandates that the Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere designate at least one warning coordination meteorologist with expertise in heat warnings at the National Centers for Environmental Information.
Sec. 5(e)(3)(B)
Why it matters:This is a technical staffing detail within a broader operational section, making it easy to overlook for a casual reader focused on high-level policy.
Case for: Proponents argue that dedicating specialized meteorological expertise to heat warnings at a national data center will significantly improve the accuracy, timeliness, and effectiveness of critical public safety information, directly contributing to saving lives during heat events.
Case against: No specific opposition is typically raised against this provision, as it is a technical enhancement aimed at improving public safety services.
Estimated impact: Enhances the specialized focus and quality of heat warning dissemination from a key national data center, improving public safety and preparedness for heat events.
Requires the Director of NIHHIS to develop and sustain robust relationships with experts from the private sector, representing standards-setting and accrediting organizations, including those with expertise in the emergency preparedness and response field.
Sec. 5(d)(1)(C)
Why it matters:It's part of a comprehensive enumeration of stakeholders, making it easy for a casual reader to miss the specific inclusion of the voluntary consensus codes and standards development community.
Case for: Supporters argue that integrating industry best practices, existing standards, and private sector expertise into heat resilience efforts is crucial for ensuring that solutions are practical, scalable, and widely adopted, leveraging non-federal innovation.
Case against: No specific opposition is typically raised against this provision, as promoting collaboration with standards organizations is generally seen as beneficial for efficiency and effectiveness.
Estimated impact: Influences the development and adoption of heat resilience standards and best practices across various sectors, potentially leading to more uniform and effective mitigation strategies.