,,ii #aahth ,,congress #ast ,session ,s4 #dje ,,in ,,the ,,senate ,,of ,,the ,,united ,,states ,february #ad1 #bjbc,mr4 ,markey 7for himself1 ,ms4 ,warren1 ,mrs4 ,gillibrand1 ,mr4 ,blumenthal1 ,mr4 ,booker1 ,mr4 ,sanders1 and ,mr4 ,padilla7 introduced the following bill2 which was read twice and referred to the ,committee on ,health1 ,education1 ,labor1 and ,pensions ,a ,,bill ,to amend the ,low-,income ,home ,energy ,assistance ,act of #aiha to increase the availability of heating and cooling assistance1 and for other purposes4 #a4 ,short title ,this ,act may be cited as the ,heating and ,cooling ,relief ,act4 #b4 ,findings ,congress finds that3 7#a7 ,energy remains unaffordable for low-income households4 ,nationally1 low-income households spend a larger portion of their income on home energy costs than other households4 ,the average low-income household's energy burden is #c times that of other households4 ,the report for the ,household ,pulse ,survey of the ,bureau of the ,census1 issued on ,december #bb1 #bjba1 noted that1 for families with incomes of less than #ce1jjj a year1 about #ea percent said that they reduced or went without basic household necessities1 such as medicine or food1 in order to pay an energy bill1 for at least one month in the last year4 7#b7 ,the ,low-,income ,housing ,energy ,assistance ,program was authorized by ,congress to reduce home energy burdens with heating and cooling assistance4 ,in #bjai1 only #af percent of income-eligible households received a subsidy under the program4 7#c7 ,climate change is fueling increasingly intense winter storms and extreme temperatures4 7#d7 ,heat waves are increasingly common as climate change accelerates1 and now occur more often in major cities across the ,united ,states4 ,the average heat wave season across #ej cities is approximately #dg days longer now than it was in the #aifjs4 ,as a result1 the ,federal ,government should provide further cooling assistance for communities in need4 7#e7 ,the loss of home energy service due to high energy burdens is one of the primary reasons for homelessness1 especially for families with children4 ,in some housing contexts1 loss of home energy service is a grounds for eviction4 7#f7 ,the ,federal ,government should expand and update the ,low-,income ,home ,energy ,assistance ,program1 as part of a robust ,federal social safety net1 to-- 7,a7 protect families against unaffordable home energy bills and home energy shutoffs1 by providing sufficient funding and imposing regulations where necessary2 7,b7 ensure all low- and moderate-income families have access to affordable home cooling powered by renewable energy1 which will enable households to adapt to rising temperatures due to climate change and promote climate resiliency2 7,c7 enhance outreach-- 7i7 by including nontraditional partners1 including home energy suppliers1 local educational agencies1 and entities carrying out other programs for low-income people1 to assist with signups2 and 7ii7 by adding stronger provisions for presumed eligibility and waiving documentation requirements for eligibility2 and 7,d7 further ,federal efforts to weatherize housing for low- and moderate-income households1 to help families struggling to pay their home energy bills and to meet national clean energy goals4 #c4 ,funding ,section #bfjb of the ,low-,income ,home ,energy ,assistance ,act of #aiha 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #hfba7 is amended-- 7#a7 in subsection 7b7-- 7,a7 by striking section #bfjg;,a7 and inserting section #bfjd7;f71 #bfjg;,a1 #bfjg;,b1 or #bfjg;,c72 and 7,b7 by striking #b1jjj1jjj1jjj and all that follows and inserting #djj1jjj1jjj1jjj for the period of fiscal years #bjbd through #bjcc42 7#b7 in subsection 7e71 by inserting 1 or arising1 for purposes of section #bfjd7;e77#b71 from a major disaster or emergency1 as defined in section #bfjd7;e77#b77;,a7 before the period at the end2 and 7#c7 by adding at the end the following3 7f7 ,there is authorized to be appropriated to carry out section #bfjd7;f71 #a1jjj1jjj1jjj for each of fiscal years #bjbd through #bjcc4 7g7 ,there is authorized to be appropriated to carry out section #bfjg;,c1 including making grants under that section1 #a1jjj1jjj1jjj for each of fiscal years #bjbd through #bjcc4 4 #d4 ,definitions ,section #bfjc of the ,low-,income ,home ,energy ,assistance ,act of #aiha 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #hfbb7 is amended-- 7#a7 by redesignating paragraphs 7#d7 through 7#f71 7#g7 through 7#aj71 and 7#aa71 as paragraphs 7#e7 through 7#g71 7#i7 through 7#ab71 and 7#ad71 respectively2 7#b7 by inserting after paragraph 7#c7 the following3 7#d7 ,the term ,,heap coordinator means an employee-- 7,a7 who administers a program funded under section #bfjb7;b72 and 7,b7 whose salary is paid1 partly or wholly1 with funds made available under that section4 2 7#c7 by inserting after paragraph 7#g71 as so redesignated1 the following3 7#h7 ,the term local coordinating agency means any local organization or local office that receives funds under section #bfjb7;b7 to perform customer intake1 or approval of benefits1 on behalf of the ,state agency4 2 and 7#d7 by inserting after paragraph 7#ab71 as so redesignated1 the following3 7#ac7 ,the term ,state agency means any ,state agency that administers the program funded under section #bfjb7;b74 4 #e4 ,emergencies ,section #bfjd7;e7 of the ,low-,income ,home ,energy ,assistance ,act of #aiha 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #hfbc7;e77 is amended-- 7#a7 by striking 7e7 and inserting 7e77#a72 and 7#b7 by adding at the end the following3 7#b7 7,a7 ,in this paragraph3 7i7 ,the term covered household means an eligible household in an area where the ,president1 or the ,secretary1 as the case may be1 has declared a major disaster or emergency4 7ii7 ,the term major disaster or emergency means-- 7,i7 a major disaster or emergency declared under section #dja or #eja1 respectively1 of the ,robert ,t4 ,stafford ,disaster ,relief and ,emergency ,assistance ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #eagj1 #eaia72 or 7,,ii7 a public health emergency declared under section #cai of the ,public ,health ,service ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #bdg;d74 7,b7 ,upon a declaration described in subparagraph 7,a7 for an area1 the ,secretary and the ,administrator of the ,federal ,emergency ,management ,agency shall1 to the extent practicable1 provide heating or cooling assistance to covered households in that area4 7,c7 ,in particular1 in the event of a major disaster or other emergency due to a period of extreme heat 7as described in section #bfjd7;f77#a77 or cold in an area1 the ,secretary and the ,administrator shall1 to the extent practicable1 provide cooling or heating assistance to covered households in that area4 4 #f4 ,additional cooling assistance for heat waves ,section #bfjd of the ,low-,income ,home ,energy ,assistance ,act of #aiha 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #hfbc7 is amended by adding at the end the following3 7f7 7#a7 ,in this subsection3 7,a7 ,the term additional cooling assistance means cooling assistance provided under this subsection4 7,b7 ,the term extreme heat means heat that exceeds local climatological norms in terms of any #a or more of the following3 7i7 ,duration4 7ii7 ,intensity4 7iii7 ,season length4 7iv7 ,frequency4 7,c7 ,the term heat means any #a or more of the parameters associated with increasing human temperature1 such as air temperature1 humidity1 solar exposure1 and low wind speed4 7,d7 ,the term heat event means an occurrence of extreme heat that may have heat-health implications4 7,e7 ,the term heat-health means health effects to humans from heat1 during or outside of heat events1 including from vulnerability and exposure1 or the risk of such effects4 7#b7 ,from funds made available under section #bfjb7;f71 the ,secretary may provide grants to eligible entities1 which shall be ,states1 territories1 or ,indian ,tribes1 for additional cooling assistance for heat events4 7#c7 ,the ,secretary shall determine an allocation plan for providing eligible entities with funding through the grants to help eligible households respond to heat events4 7#d7 ,to receive assistance under this subsection1 an eligible entity shall provide assurances to the ,secretary that-- 7,a7 the eligible entity will not preclude a household that receives heating assistance under this title during a calendar year1 on the basis of obtaining that assistance1 from receiving cooling assistance under this title during that year2 and 7,b7 the eligible entity will not require a household to indicate that a household member has a medical need for cooling assistance under this title1 to be eligible for that assistance4 7#e7 ,a eligible entity that receives additional cooling assistance may use the assistance for purposes for which cooling assistance is available under the program funded under section #bfjb7;b71 including for providing energy-efficient air conditioners1 and other equipment needed for home cooling1 to eligible households4 4 #g4 ,eligible households ,section #bfje of the ,low-,income ,home ,energy ,assistance ,act of #aiha 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #hfbd7 is amended-- 7#a7 in subsection 7b77#b7-- 7,a7 in the matter preceding subparagraph 7,a71 by inserting 1 subject to subsection 7c77#a77;,a71 after only2 7,b7 in subparagraph 7,b71 by striking 7,b7 and all that follows through clause 7ii7 and inserting the following3 7,b7 households with-- 7i7 incomes which do not exceed the greater of-- 7,i7 an amount equal to #bej percent of the poverty line that is defined and revised as described in section #fgc of the ,community ,services ,block ,grant ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #iijb72 or 7,,ii7 an amount equal to #hj percent of the ,state median income2 or 7ii7 a monthly energy burden of #c percent or more1 as averaged across the calendar year preceding the determination under this paragraph1 2 and 7,c7 in the matter following subparagraph 7,b71 by inserting before the semicolon the following3 1 and the ,state may not exclude a household from eligibility on the basis of citizenship of #a or more of the household members2 7#b7 in subsection 7c77#a77;,a71 by striking assistance to be provided under this title1 including criteria and inserting 8assistance to be provided under this title1 including-- 7i7 certifying that the ,state and local coordinating agencies in the ,state-- 7,i7 will allow applicants for the assistance1 to the greatest extent possible1 to self-attest that the applicants meet the criteria in this title for an eligible household2 and 7,,ii7 will not require the applicants to submit proof of income1 citizenship1 or need1 to establish status as an eligible household2 and 7ii7 describing criteria 2 7#c7 in subsection 7f71 by adding at the end the following3 7#c7 ,for purposes of section #dja7;c71 and the remainder of title ,,iv1 of the ,personal ,responsibility and ,work ,opportunity ,reconciliation ,act of #aiif 7#h ,u4,s4,c4 #afaa7;a71 #afja et seq47 assistance under this title should not be considered to be a ,federal public benefit4 2 and 7#d7 in subsection 7j71 by striking the ,state may apply and inserting the ,state may1 subject to subsection 7c77#a77;,a77i71 apply4 #h4 ,conditions for funding ,section #bfje of the ,low-,income ,home ,energy ,assistance ,act of #aiha 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #hfbd7 is amended-- 7#a7 in subsection 7b7-- 7,a7 in paragraph 7#a77;,c71 by inserting before the semicolon the following3 1 using toxin-free materials that do not contain asthmagens or respiratory sensitizers1 giving priority in the use of those funds1 to the greatest extent practicable1 to supporting emergency home repairs that foster energy efficiency1 decarbonization1 and climate resilience1 including through beneficial electrification of heating and cooling2 7,b7 in paragraph 7#g7-- 7i7 in subparagraph 7,c71 by striking and at the end2 and 7ii7 by adding at the end the following3 7,e7 ensure that-- 7i7 the home energy supplier will not charge late fees for any payment1 by a household receiving assistance through the program funded under section #bfjb7;b71 during the period beginning #f months before and ending #f months after a date on which the supplier receives funds through the program for the household2 and 7ii7 if the supplier receives funds through the program for such a household and charged such late fees during that period1 the supplier shall refund the fees to the household not later than #g days after the date the supplier receives the funds2 7,f7 ensure that the home energy supplier will not shut off home energy from a household that received assistance through the program funded under section #bfjb7;b71 within the #a-year period beginning on the date the household received the assistance2 7,g7 ensure that the home energy supplier1 in return for receiving assistance through the program funded under section #bfjb7;b7-- 7i7 will provide to the ,state data on households that have not paid their home energy bills1 to enable the ,state and the supplier to carry out coordinated outreach concerning assistance available through the program funded under section #bfjb7;b72 and 7ii7 will1 when sending a notice of late payments to such households1 include information on such assistance1 on how to access such assistance through the ,,heap program1 and on eligibility criteria for the program2 and 7,h7 ensure that the home energy supplier will1 not later than #b years after the date of enactment of the ,heating and ,cooling ,relief ,act1 in return for receiving assistance under the program funded under section #bfjb7;b7 and through a partnership with the ,state1 offer percentage of income payment plans2 2 and 7,c7 in paragraph 7#i7-- 7i7 in subparagraph 7,a7-- 7,i7 by striking #aj percent and inserting #ae percent2 and 7,,ii7 by striking and at the end2 and 7ii7 by adding at the end the following3 7,c7 in planning and administering that program1 the ,state shall use the portion of the amount described in subparagraph 7,a71 that exceeds #aj percent of the funds described in subparagraph 7,a71 to expand the ,state program funded under section #bfjb7;b7 so that the ,state operates the program on a year-round basis2 and 7,d7 in planning and administering that program1 the ,state-- 7i7 shall make technological changes to allow1 not later than #e years after the date of enactment of the ,heating and ,cooling ,relief ,act1 for online submission of applications for assistance through that program2 and 7ii7 shall1 to the extent practicable-- 7,i7 conduct outreach activities1 including activities to increase enrollment as described in subsection 7m72 7,,ii7 ensure that all ,,heap coordinators in the ,state receive wages1 for administration funded under section #bfjb7;b71 at not less than the greater of #ae per hour or the applicable ,federal1 ,state1 or local minimum wage rate2 7,,iii7 conduct training2 7,,iv7 as needed1 conduct outreach relating to the program funded under section #bfjb7;b7 to rural electric cooperatives1 home energy suppliers owned by a political subdivision of a ,state1 such as a municipally owned electric utility1 and home energy suppliers owned by any agency1 authority1 corporation1 or instrumentality of a political subdivision of a ,state2 and 7,v7 explore opportunities for auto-enrollment of eligible households into the program funded under section #bfjb7;b71 and in the process document any potential barriers to auto-enrollment that need to be clarified or otherwise addressed at the ,federal level2 2 7#b7 in subsection 7c77#a7-- 7,a7 in subparagraph 7,g71 by striking and at the end2 7,b7 by redesignating subparagraph 7,h7 as subparagraph 7,i72 and 7,c7 by inserting after subparagraph 7,g7 the following3 7,h7 describes how the ,state will expand the ,state program funded under section #bfjb7;b7 so that the ,state operates the program on a year-round basis in accordance with subsection 7b77#i77;,c7 and the measures the ,state has taken so far to carry out this expansion2 and 2 and 7#c7 by adding at the end the following3 7m7 ,the ,secretary shall allow1 to the greatest extent possible1 the self-attestation1 and shall not require the proof1 described in subsection 7c77#a77;,a77i74 7n7 ,the ,secretary shall1 by grant or contract1 provide for a study that examines the rates of home energy shutoffs and assessments of late fees among eligible households1 relative to those rates for households that are not eligible households1 over a period of several years4 7o7 ,the ,secretary shall provide technical assistance to ,states to support partnerships described in subsection 7b77#g77;,h74 7p7 7#a7 ,the ,secretary1 in consultation with the ,secretary of ,education1 shall issue guidance for use of funds for administrative activities described in subsection 7b77#i7 to increase1 through partnerships with elementary schools1 secondary schools1 and local educational agencies1 enrollment in the program carried out with funds made available under section #bfjb7;b7 among eligible households that include children and that have high energy burdens4 7#b7 ,the ,secretary shall issue guidance for use by ,states on outreach relating to assistance through the program funded under section #bfjb7;b7 to high-risk individuals1 with relevant medical conditions1 that benefit from the use of medical equipment that requires electricity1 including a ventilator1 an oxygen concentrator1 or another medical device4 7#c7 ,the ,secretary shall issue guidance for use by ,states on how to ensure that eligible households are aware of additional grants1 tax credits1 and rebates1 made available under ,public ,law #aag-afi4 4 #i4 ,weatherization ,section #bfje7k7 of the ,low-,income ,home ,energy ,assistance ,act of #aiha 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #hfbd7k77 is amended-- 7#a7 in paragraph 7#a71 by striking #ae percent and inserting #be percent2 and 7#b7 in paragraph 7#b7-- 7,a7 in subparagraph 7,a71 in the matter preceding clause 7i7-- 7i7 by striking subparagraph 7,b7 and inserting subparagraph 7,c72 and 7ii7 by striking the greater of #be percent and inserting a portion equal to the greater of #ce percent2 7,b7 by redesignating subparagraph 7,b7 as subparagraph 7,c72 and 7,c7 by inserting after subparagraph 7,a7 the following3 7,b7 ,the ,state-- 7i7 shall1 to the extent practicable-- 7,i7 use the portion described in subparagraph 7,a7 for energy-related home repair that reduces dependence on fossil fuel energy sources2 and 7,,ii7 use the portion to facilitate the use of funds made available under section #bfjb7;b7 to increase the participation of eligible households in community solar programs1 or to otherwise increase access to and ownership of distributed renewable energy infrastructure among eligible households2 and 7ii7 shall if possible give the highest priority to using the portion for home repair that replaces appliances that rely on fossil fuels with appliances that use electric heating or cooling technology1 powered by renewable energy4 4 #aj4 ,home energy arrears ,section #bfje of the ,low-,income ,home ,energy ,assistance ,act of #aiha 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #hfbd71 as amended1 is further amended by adding at the end the following3 7q7 7#a7 ,in providing assistance through the program funded under section #bfjb7;b71 a ,state1 or any other person with which the ,state makes arrangements to carry out the objectives of this title1 shall provide assistance 7in addition to any other assistance available7 for home energy arrears for any eligible household4 7#b7 ,not later than #a year after the date of enactment of the ,heating and ,cooling ,relief ,act1 the ,secretary shall1 in consultation with the ,secretary of ,energy1 issue guidance on best practices for ,states 7including through partnerships with home energy suppliers7 to pay for home energy arrears with assistance provided through the program1 including by paying for such arrears at the time of dissemination of that assistance4 7#c7 ,to the extent practicable1 the ,secretary and the ,secretary of ,energy1 shall jointly-- 7,a7 implement a data tracking system to collect aggregate data regarding the number of eligible households in arrears and their respective energy burdens and develop recommendations to ,,heap coordinators on how to minimize energy burdens for the households2 and 7,b7 issue guidance to home energy suppliers with recommendations for working with ,state agencies to address home energy arrears of eligible households4 4 #aa4 ,program name change 7a7 ,,liheap ,the ,low-,income ,home ,energy ,assistance ,act of #aiha is amended-- 7#a7 in section #bfjg;,a7b7 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #hfbf;a7b771 in the matter preceding paragraph 7#a71 by striking low-income the first place it appears2 and 7#b7 in section #bfjg;,b7e77#b77;,b77ii7 7#db ,u4,s4,c4#hfbf;b7e77#b77;,b77ii771 by striking ,low-,income4 7b7 ,other law ,a reference in any other ,federal law 7other than that ,act71 ,executive order1 rule1 regulation1 or delegation of authority1 or any document1 of or relating to the ,low-,income ,home ,energy ,assistance ,program1 shall be deemed to refer to the ,home ,energy ,assistance ,program4 #ab4 ,just transition grants ,the ,low-,income ,home ,energy ,assistance ,act of #aiha is amended by inserting after section #bfjg;,b 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #hfbf;b7 the following3 #bfjg;,c4 ,,heap just transition grants 7a7 ,grant program ,the ,secretary and the ,secretary of ,energy shall jointly carry out a grant program under this section4 ,in carrying out the program1 the ,secretaries shall make grants to ,states and local governments to support the development and implementation of interagency plans to reduce energy burdens for eligible households with high home energy use4 ,the plans shall promote the reduction of those burdens in a manner that supports a just transition away from fossil fuel energy and protects eligible households from the threats of climate change4 ,the ,secretaries shall make the grants for a period of #c years4 7b7 ,preferences ,in making the grants1 the ,secretary shall give a preference to ,states1 and local governments1 who set up coordination systems-- 7#a7 to identify eligible households1 that are recipients of assistance through the program funded under section #bfjb7;b71 with high home energy use2 7#b7 to prioritize those eligible households to receive emergency repair1 weatherization1 and retrofit assistance that results in decarbonization and reductions in energy use2 and 7#c7 to partner with entities carrying out workforce development initiatives1 unions1 or minority or women-owned business enterprises to provide emergency repairs1 weatherization1 and retrofit assistance4 7c7 ,report to ,congress ,at the conclusion of the #c-year grant period1 the ,secretaries shall-- 7#a7 conduct an evaluation of the program's outcomes2 and 7#b7 prepare and submit to ,congress a report containing the results of the evaluation and policy recommendations4 4