,,ii #aafth ,,congress #b;d ,session ,s4 #dbhj ,,in ,,the ,,senate ,,of ,,the ,,united ,,states ,july #bb1 #bjbj,mr4 ,markey introduced the following bill2 which was read twice and referred to the ,committee on ,commerce1 ,science1 and ,transportation ,a ,,bill ,to reduce the health risks of heat by authorizing the ,national ,integrated ,heat ,health ,information ,system ,interagency ,committee to improve extreme heat preparedness and response1 requiring a study1 and establishing a grant program to address heat effects1 and for other purposes4 #a4 ,short title ,this ,act may be cited as the ,preventing ,health ,emergencies ,and ,temperature-related ,illness and ,deaths ,act of #bjbj or the ,preventing ,,heat ,illness and ,deaths ,act of #bjbj4 #b4 ,definitions ,in this ,act3 7#a7 ,extreme heat ,the term extreme heat means heat that exceeds local climatological norms in terms of any combination of the following3 7,a7 ,duration4 7,b7 ,intensity4 7,c7 ,seasonality4 7,d7 ,frequency4 7#b7 ,heat ,the term heat means any combination of the parameters associated with modulating human thermoregulation and perceived temperature1 such as temperature1 humidity1 solar exposure1 and wind speed4 7#c7 ,heat event ,the term heat event means an occurrence of extreme heat that may have heat-health implications4 7#d7 ,heat-health ,the term heat-health means health effects to humans from heat1 including from vulnerability and exposure1 or the risk of such effects4 7#e7 ,planning ,the term planning means activities performed on multiple time scales 7including days1 weeks1 months1 and years7 with scenario-based or probabilistic information to identify and take actions to proactively mitigate heat-health risks from increased heat waves and increased ambient temperature4 7#f7 ,preparedness ,the term preparedness means activities performed with probabilistic or deterministic information to manage risk in advance of a heat event4 #c4 ,findings ,congress makes the following findings3 7#a7 ,extreme heat events have been the leading cause of weather-related death in the ,united ,states over the last #cj years1 according to the ,centers for ,disease ,control and ,prevention and the ,national ,weather ,service4 7#b7 ,the fourth ,national ,climate ,assessment1 mandated by the ,global ,change ,research ,act of #aiij 7#ae ,u4,s4,c4 #biba et seq47 finds that average annual temperature over the contiguous ,united ,states has increased over the past century1 and that recent decades are the warmest of the past #a4e millennia4 ,the ,national ,climate ,assessment projects that the frequency and intensity of extreme high temperature events will increase in the future as global temperature increases4 7#c7 ,exposure to extreme heat can also cause acute heat-related illnesses1 such as heat stroke1 which result in more than #fe1jjj emergency room visits each year and exacerbate respiratory and cardiovascular illnesses4 7#d7 ,heat poses the greatest health risks for adults older than #fe years of age1 young children1 low-income communities1 urban communities1 communities with low air conditioning prevalence1 socially isolated individuals1 people with mental or physical disabilities1 workers without sufficient access to cooling1 athletes1 people with pre-existing conditions1 incarcerated individuals1 people experiencing homelessness1 and military personnel4 7#e7 ,heat is a threat to the health and safety of workers1 particularly outdoor workers1 such as construction workers1 farmworkers1 and landscapers1 who are at an elevated risk of heat illness4 ,between #aiib and #bjag1 across all occupations1 heat was estimated to be responsible for an average of #b1gjj serious injuries and #cj deaths per year in the ,united ,states4 ,those figures are likely underestimated due to underreporting4 7#f7 ,nursing homes1 mental health facilities1 and other locations with populations on medication are especially vulnerable to extreme heat1 as medications can lower the threshold for heat-health incidents4 7#g7 ,heat exposure is an issue of environmental justice1 as people living in low-income communities1 communities of color1 and ,tribal communities face a number of interacting factors that render them more vulnerable to extreme heat4 7#h7 ,the ,,covid-#ai pandemic has led to closure of many public cooling centers or rendered such centers inaccessible to individuals concerned about contracting the highly contagious disease4 7#i7 ,people in living in low-income communities1 communities of color1 and ,tribal communities are affected by disproportionately high rates of underlying medical conditions1 such as diabetes1 asthma1 and hypertension1 and a greater risk of contracting ,,covid-#ai or experiencing serious complications if infected with ,,covid-#ai4 ,those medical conditions1 among others1 can be exacerbated by extreme heat and lead to more serious illness and death if not treated immediately4 7#aj7 ,the impacts of heat on human health are more severe in urban areas where land surface properties create an urban heat island phenomenon1 particularly in neighborhoods with limited availability of or access to green spaces1 shade1 and tree cover1 higher density of building structures1 and more vehicular traffic4 7#aa7 ,limited availability of tree cover and higher temperatures are correlated with low-income neighborhoods in urban areas4 ,in ,richmond1 ,virginia1 ,baltimore1 ,maryland1 and ,washington1 ,,dc1 researchers found that heat risk is disproportionately distributed to communities of color in patterns associated with segregation and redlining4 7#ab7 ,researchers have found that few communities in the ,united ,states have sufficient resources for heat planning1 preparedness1 and response4 7#ac7 ,researchers have found that long-term1 scenario-based planning as well as heat early warning systems can result in behavior changes that lower morbidity and mortality1 but individuals unaware of heat risks or with low risk perception of heat are less likely to take appropriate precautions4 7#ad7 ,the risks associated with extreme heat have complex interactions and impacts1 and the management of those risks requires an interdisciplinary approach4 7#ae7 ,regions and communities that face the greatest health consequences of extreme heat often may experience the lowest heat risk perceptions or have access to the fewest resources for responding to extreme heat4 #d4 ,national ,integrated ,heat ,health ,information ,system ,interagency ,committee 7a7 ,establishment of ,committee ,there is established a committee1 to be known as the ,national ,integrated ,heat ,health ,information ,system ,interagency ,committee 7in this section referred to as the ,committee74 7b7 ,focus ,the ,director of the ,office of ,science and ,technology ,policy shall require the ,committee to focus on research and actions for the reduction of health risks of heat over multiple time scales 7including days1 weeks1 months1 and years74 7c7 ,membership 7#a7 ,in general ,in order to achieve and carry out the focus described in subsection 7b71 the ,committee shall include not fewer than #a representative from each of the following3 7,a7 ,from the ,department of ,commerce1 the following3 7i7 ,the ,national ,weather ,service4 7ii7 ,the ,office of ,oceanic and ,atmospheric ,research1 including the ,climate ,program ,office4 7iii7 ,the ,national ,institute of ,standards and ,technology4 7,b7 ,from the ,department of ,health and ,human ,services1 the following3 7i7 ,the ,centers for ,disease ,control and ,prevention1 including the ,national ,institute for ,occupational ,safety and ,health4 7ii7 ,the ,office of the ,assistant ,secretary of ,health and ,human ,services for ,preparedness and ,response4 7iii7 ,the ,substance ,abuse and ,mental ,health ,services ,administration4 7iv7 ,the ,national ,institutes of ,health4 7,c7 ,from the ,department of the ,interior1 the following3 7i7 ,the ,bureau of ,indian ,affairs4 7ii7 ,the ,bureau of ,land ,management4 7,d7 ,from the ,environmental ,protection ,agency1 the following3 7i7 ,the ,office of ,environmental ,justice4 7ii7 ,the ,office of ,air and ,radiation1 if the ,administrator of the ,environmental ,protection ,agency determines appropriate4 7iii7 ,the ,office of ,research and ,development1 if the ,administrator determines appropriate4 7,e7 ,the ,federal ,emergency ,management ,agency4 7,f7 ,the ,department of ,defense4 7,g7 ,the ,occupational ,safety and ,health ,administration4 7,h7 ,the ,department of ,agriculture4 7,i7 ,the ,department of ,housing and ,urban ,development4 7,j7 ,such other ,federal agencies as the ,director considers appropriate4 7#b7 ,selection of representatives ,the head of an agency specified in paragraph 7#a7 shall1 in appointing representatives of the agency to the ,committee1 select representatives-- 7,a7 from components of the agency that are most relevant to the responsibilities of the ,committee2 or 7,b7 who have expertise in areas relevant to such responsibilities1 such as weather and climate prediction1 health impacts1 environmental justice1 behavioral science1 public health hazard preparedness and response1 or mental health services4 7#c7 ,co-chairs 7,a7 ,in general ,the members of the ,committee shall select #b members to serve as co-chairs of the ,committee1 subject to the approval of the ,director4 7,b7 ,terms ,each co-chair shall serve for a term of not more than #c years4 7,c7 ,selection ,one co-chair shall be from the ,national ,oceanic and ,atmospheric ,administration1 and one co-chair shall be from the ,centers for ,disease ,control and ,prevention4 7,d7 ,responsibilities of co-chairs ,the co-chairs of the ,committee shall-- 7i7 determine the agenda of the ,committee1 in consultation with other members of the ,committee2 7ii7 direct the work of the ,committee2 7iii7 convene meetings of the ,committee not less frequently than once each fiscal quarter2 and 7iv7 if necessary1 establish a coordination office for the ,committee within the ,national ,oceanic and ,atmospheric ,administration4 7d7 ,administrative support ,the ,national ,oceanic and ,atmospheric ,administration shall provide technical and administrative support to the ,committee1 using amounts authorized to be appropriated to the ,administration before the date of the enactment of this ,act and available for obligation as of such date4 7e7 ,consultation 7#a7 ,in general ,the ,committee shall consult with relevant regional1 ,state1 ,tribal1 and local government agencies1 research institutions1 nongovernmental organizations1 and medical experts with expertise in emergency response1 environmental health1 or community engagement4 7#b7 ,advisory council ,such consultation may occur through an advisory council established by the ,committee that convenes regularly4 7f7 ,responsibilities ,in carrying out the focus described in subsection 7b71 the ,committee shall1 in consultation with the entities described in subsection 7e77#a71 promote an integrated1 ,federal ,government-wide approach to reducing health risks and impacts of heat1 including by-- 7#a7 identifying and harmonizing existing agency capabilities related to understanding heat risk1 prediction1 information1 warnings1 planning1 preparedness1 and response 7including common communication mechanisms for coordinated ,federal information needed to manage and reduce health risks from heat72 7#b7 building and sustaining networks across climate1 health1 medical1 and related disciplines and decision makers-- 7,a7 that support continuous engagement with ,federal1 ,state1 local1 and ,tribal governments to identify decision-maker and information needs1 take action1 and evaluate effectiveness2 and 7,b7 that support engagement with international government and nongovernmental organizations and other partners to harmonize research and information and knowledge production and enhance effective action2 7#c7 enhancing actionable information to reduce health-related heat risks on multiple time scales by-- 7,a7 enhancing heat-health risk management forecasts and information based on user needs and epidemiological requirements2 7,b7 providing seamless1 integrated heat-health heat projections and predictions on all time scales2 and 7,c7 building capacity across climate1 public health1 medical1 and related communities to define and deliver research1 observations1 prediction1 vulnerability assessments1 health surveillance1 and other information needed to support planning and preparedness on heat-health2 7#d7 enhancing understanding of heat-related health risks1 vulnerabilities1 and risk reduction through-- 7,a7 supporting improved understanding of the role of drivers of climate variability and change in extreme heat2 7,b7 building mechanistic understanding of heat-health1 from epidemiological1 physiological1 economical1 and sociological disciplines2 and 7,c7 enhancing understanding of the impacts of and risk management actions for extreme heat events across multiple time scales1 including the modeling of future risk of extreme heat2 7#e7 developing timely1 locally relevant1 and accessible communication tools to inform preparedness and adaptation1 including heat early-warning systems and heat-health action plans that include planning and preparedness on multiple time scales2 7#f7 providing a suite of decision support services for the reduction of heat-related illness and mitigation of other effects of extreme heat2 7#g7 identifying1 coordinating1 and disseminating ,federal grants and other funding opportunities for non-,federal entities-- 7,a7 to improve climate1 weather1 and health research and analytics to improve heat preparedness and response for vulnerable and disadvantaged communities2 and 7,b7 to support longer-term sustained engagement of multisector and interdisciplinary networks to conduct research and co-produce knowledge and actionable information2 7#h7 promoting principles of environmental justice1 including providing guidance for projects and programs that benefit historically disadvantaged communities or communities with significant heat disparities associated with race or income2 and 7#i7 carrying out such other activities as the ,committee considers appropriate4 7g7 ,strategic plan 7#a7 ,in general ,not later than #a year after the date of the enactment of this ,act1 the ,committee shall submit to ,congress a #c-year integrated strategic plan that outlines the goals and projects of the ,committee1 including how the ,committee will-- 7,a7 improve and coordinate interagency ,federal actions to address health risks of heat2 7,b7 conduct the study required by section #e7;a77#a72 and 7,c7 administer the grant program described in section #f4 7#b7 ,updates ,not later than #c years after the submission of the strategic plan required by paragraph 7#a71 and every #c years thereafter1 the ,committee shall submit to ,congress an update of the plan1 which shall include progress made toward goals in the plan and new priorities that emerge4 7#c7 ,public availability ,the ,committee shall make the strategic plan required by paragraph 7#a7 and updates to the plan required by paragraph 7#b7 available to the public on an internet website of the ,national ,oceanic and ,atmospheric ,administration1 with clear visuals indicating progress toward goals4 #e4 ,examination of extreme heat information and response 7a7 ,study 7#a7 ,in general ,not later than #a year after the date of the enactment of this ,act1 and after consultation with the entities described in section #d7;e77#a71 the ,national ,integrated ,heat ,health ,information ,system ,interagency ,committee 7in this section referred to as the ,committee7 shall complete a study on opportunities for improving data collection1 warning communications1 resilience of vulnerable populations1 and response capacity for current and future heat-affected communities4 7#b7 ,elements ,the study required by paragraph 7#a7 shall-- 7,a7 identify policy and research gaps1 such as-- 7i7 regions of the ,united ,states with the largest gaps between awareness1 preparedness1 and capacity to address extreme heat2 7ii7 heat-related gaps in data1 such as-- 7,i7 the number of schools1 prisons1 and other public facilities that lack air conditioning2 7,,ii7 the number of energy blackouts that occur in the ,united ,states as a result of extreme heat2 and 7,,iii7 the demographic breakdown of people affected by heat events1 including by race1 age1 gender1 occupation1 and income2 7,b7 consider the feasibility of enhancing existing nationwide data collection on heat-related illnesses and mortalities to improve and ensure consistent collection of national-level heat illness data across all #ej ,states1 territories1 and local jurisdictions2 7,c7 evaluate mechanisms for financing heat preparedness2 7,d7 evaluate the effectiveness of county- or local-level heat awareness and communication tools1 preparedness plans1 or mitigation2 and 7,e7 consider such other subjects as the ,committee finds appropriate4 7#c7 ,policy recommendations 7,a7 ,in general ,the study required by paragraph 7#a7 shall include policy recommendations for communicating warnings to and promoting resilience of populations vulnerable to extreme heat4 7,b7 ,strategies ,the recommendations required by subparagraph 7,a7 may include strategies for-- 7i7 effectively distributing extreme heat warnings1 including to individuals with limited ,english proficiency and individuals who are socially isolated or with other established barriers to such information2 7ii7 implementing alternatives to public cooling centers given concerns related to ,,covid-#ai and spread of disease in indoor spaces2 7iii7 designing such warnings to convey the urgency and severity of heat events and achieve behavior changes that reduce the mortality and morbidity of extreme heat effects1 without creating warning fatigue or confusion with other types of weather disaster warnings2 7iv7 addressing data gaps identified under paragraph 7#b77;,a77ii72 7v7 promoting community resilience to heat events and incorporating principles of environmental justice in community response to heat waves2 7vi7 regulating against utility companies shutting off power during heat waves2 and 7vii7 establishing labor and other standards for workers and heat4 7b7 ,report ,not later than #ij days after completing the study required by subsection 7a77#a71 the ,committee shall-- 7#a7 make available to the public on an internet website of the ,national ,oceanic and ,atmospheric ,administration a report on the findings and conclusions of the study2 and 7#b7 submit the report to-- 7,a7 the ,committee on ,commerce1 ,science1 and ,transportation of the ,senate2 7,b7 the ,committee on ,health1 ,education1 ,labor1 and ,pensions of the ,senate2 7,c7 the ,committee on ,science1 ,space1 and ,technology of the ,house of ,representatives2 7,d7 the ,committee on ,energy and ,commerce of the ,house of ,representatives2 and 7,e7 the ,committee on ,education and ,labor of the ,house of ,representatives4 #f4 ,federal assistance grants to address extreme heat and health risks 7a7 ,establishment ,not later than #ahj days after the date of the enactment of this ,act1 the ,national ,integrated ,heat ,health ,information ,system ,interagency ,committee 7in this section referred to as the ,committee7 shall establish and administer a community heat resilience grant program to provide ,federal grants to ameliorate human health impacts of extreme heat events4 7b7 ,eligible projects ,projects eligible to receive a grant under this section may include the following3 7#a7 ,projects for cool roofs1 cool pavements1 urban forestry or tree plantings1 the provision of shade1 cooling centers that abide by applicable guidelines of the ,centers for ,disease ,control and ,prevention relating to ,,covid-#ai1 building retrofitting for cooling1 and high-efficiency air conditioning acquisitions or upgrades4 7#b7 ,projects-- 7,a7 to expand public awareness of heat risks2 7,b7 to communicate risks and warnings to isolated communities2 and 7,c7 to educate such communities about how to respond to extreme heat events4 7#c7 ,other projects that the ,committee determines will achieve a significant reduction in heat exposure or resilience to extreme heat events4 7c7 ,project proposals ,to be eligible to receive a grant under this section1 an entity shall-- 7#a7 demonstrate that the entity has any permits or other authorizations from local1 ,state1 ,federal1 and ,tribal government agencies necessary to carry out the project or provide evidence demonstrating general support from such agencies2 7#b7 demonstrate community engagement and partnerships2 7#c7 provide to the ,committee environmental and demographic information1 using ,,ejscreen data or a similar environmental justice mapping and screening tool1 for the community in which the project is located2 and 7#d7 provide to the ,committee any other information the ,committee determines appropriate4 7d7 ,project selection 7#a7 ,development of criteria 7,a7 ,in general ,the ,committee shall develop criteria for the selection of entities to receive grants under this section for proposed projects4 7,b7 ,considerations ,in developing criteria under subparagraph 7,a71 the ,committee shall take into account the following3 7i7 ,extent of heat risk reduction1 including temperature difference or number of people affected4 7ii7 ,risk reduction for the most vulnerable groups1 including low-income communities1 communities of color1 ,tribal communities1 elderly individuals1 and individuals on medications4 7iii7 ,cost-effectiveness4 7iv7 ,efforts to ensure that projects do not contribute to gentrification4 7v7 ,equitable distribution of heat mitigation benefits4 7vi7 ,co-benefits such as other climate1 health1 or environmental benefits such as air quality improvement1 energy efficiency1 or reduced energy use4 7#b7 ,priorities ,in selecting entities to receive grants under this section1 the ,committee shall prioritize projects that provide the following3 7,a7 ,benefits for historically disadvantaged communities and communities with significant heat disparities associated with race or income4 7,b7 ,benefits to regions identified in the study under section #e7;a77#b77;,a77i7 as having large preparedness gaps4 7e7 ,use of funds ,a grant awarded under this section to an entity to carry out a project may be used by the entity only-- 7#a7 to carry out the project1 including administration1 design1 permitting1 entry into negotiated indirect cost rate agreements1 and construction2 and 7#b7 to monitor1 collect1 and report data on the performance 7including performance over time7 of the project4 7f7 ,cost-,sharing 7#a7 ,in general ,except as provided in paragraph 7#b71 an entity that receives a grant under this section to carry out a project shall provide1 from non-,federal sources1 funds or other resources 7such as in-kind matching from private entities7 valued at not less than #be percent of the total cost1 including administrative costs1 of the project4 7#b7 ,reduced matching requirement for certain communities ,the ,committee may reduce or waive the matching requirement under paragraph 7#a7 for an entity representing a community or nonprofit organization if-- 7,a7 the entity submits to the ,committee in writing-- 7i7 a request for such a reduction or waiver and1 in the case of a request for a reduction1 the amount of the reduction2 and 7ii7 a justification for why the entity cannot meet the matching requirement2 and 7,b7 the ,committee agrees with the justification4 7g7 ,limitation on grant quantity and size ,in carrying out this section1 the ,committee may not award to an entity-- 7#a7 more than #a grant for which the entity is the lead applicant2 or 7#b7 a grant that is in an amount that is more than #b1ejj1jjj4 7h7 ,reporting ,the ,committee shall require each entity receiving a grant under this section to1 not later than #a year after the date on which the entity receives the grant1 and annually thereafter until the completion of the project1 submit to the ,committee a report on-- 7#a7 the activities carried out under the project2 and 7#b7 the effectiveness of the project in reducing heat risk or promoting heat awareness and response4 #g4 ,authorization of appropriations 7a7 ,national ,integrated ,heat ,health ,information ,system ,interagency ,committee2 examination of extreme heat information and response ,there are authorized to be appropriated to the ,national ,oceanic and ,atmospheric ,administration to carry out sections #d and #e1 including for any administrative costs for the ,national ,integrated ,heat ,health ,information ,system ,interagency ,committee1 the following3 7#a7 ,for fiscal year #bjba1 #bj1jjj1jjj4 7#b7 ,for fiscal year #bjbb1 #bj1jjj1jjj4 7#c7 ,for fiscal year #bjbc1 #ah1jjj1jjj4 7#d7 ,for fiscal year #bjbd1 #ah1jjj1jjj4 7#e7 ,for fiscal year #bjbe1 #ah1jjj1jjj4 7b7 ,federal assistance grants ,to address extreme heat and health risks ,there are authorized to be appropriated to the ,national ,oceanic and ,atmospheric ,administration to carry out section #f the following3 7#a7 ,for fiscal year #bjba1 #aj1jjj1jjj4 7#b7 ,for fiscal year #bjbb1 #aj1jjj1jjj4 7#c7 ,for fiscal year #bjbc1 #bj1jjj1jjj4 7#d7 ,for fiscal year #bjbd1 #cj1jjj1jjj4 7#e7 ,for fiscal year #bjbe1 #cj1jjj1jjj4