,i #aai? ,,congress #a/ ,session ,h4 ,r4 #edjg ,,9 ,,! ,,h\se ,,( ,,repres5tatives ,septemb] #af1 #bjbe,mr4 ,morelle 7= himself1 ,ms4 ,sewell1 ,mrs4 ,torres ( ,cali=nia1 & ,ms4 ,johnson ( ,texas7 introduc$ ! foll[+ bill2 :i* 0 ref]r$ to ! ,committee on ,h\se ,adm9i/ration ,a ,,bill ,to require c]ta9 ,/ates to submit a cont9uity ( op]ations plan = elections 9 ! ev5t ( a major disa/]1 to require ! ,comptroll] ,g5]al ( ! ,unit$ ,/ates to report on assi/ance = election adm9i/ration 9 ! ev5t ( a major disa/]1 & to require ! ,election ,assi/ance ,commission to aw>d grants to /r5g!n elections aga9/ climate *ange-driv5 disa/]s1 & = o!r purposes4 #a4 ,%ort title ,?is ,act may be cit$ z ! ,climate ,resili5t ,elections ,act4 #b4 ,f9d+s ,congress makes ! foll[+ f9d+s3 7#a7 ,9 ,janu>y #bjag1 ! ,dep>tm5t ( ,homel& ,security det]m9$ t ! ,nation's election infra/ructure qualifies z critical infra/ructure = national security purposes4 7#b7 ,accord+ to ! ,dep>tm5t ( ,homel& ,security1 t8 designation recognizes t ! ,unit$ ,/ates' election infra/ructure is ( su* vital importance to ! ,am]ican way ( life t its incapacitation or de/ruction w\ld h a deva/at+ effect on ! c\ntry4 7#c7 ,election adm9i/ration consi/5tly faces sub/antial ?reats because ( sev]e natural disa/]s4 ,delay$ elections or damag$ or de/roy$ poll+ places1 vot+ ma*9es1 ballots1 or transportation & utility infra/ructure may dis5fran*ise vot]s1 und]m9e confid5ce 9 elections1 or ev5 alt] election outcomes4 7#d7 ,hurricane ,s&y made l&fall 9 ,new ,york & ,new ,j]sey j days be=e ! #bjab presid5tial election1 displac+ z _m z #ggf1jjj resid5ts & caus+ unprec$5t$ election adm9i/ration *all5ges4 ,! jurisdictions mo/ affect$ by ,hurricane ,s&y saw significantly worse vot] turn\t 9 ! #bjab presid5tial election ?an ^? unaffect$ by ! /orm4 7#e7 ,9 #bjaf1 ,cali=nia exp]i5c$ #ab major fires 9 ! ?ree mon?s lead+ up to ,election ,day4 ,9 #bjah1 ! ,/ate exp]i5c$ #ae major fires lead+ up to ,election ,day4 ,^! fires displac$ vot]s1 burn$ resid5ces1 & damag$ poll+ /ations4 ,climate *ange has ext5d$ wildfire season 9 ! ,am]ican we/ into ! late ,fall3 ,on ,novemb] #h1 #bjah1 j two days aft] ,election ,day1 ! ,camp ,fire ignit$1 ev5tually claim+ #he lives & de/roy+ ov] #ah1jjj /ructures--! deadlie/ fire 9 ,cali=nia hi/ory4 ,evacuation ord]s because ( wildfires displace hundr$s ( ?\s&s ( vot]s ea* ye>1 well into ! days lead+ up to ! election4 7#f7 ,9 #bjah1 ,hurricane ,mi*ael hit ! ,florida panh&le j #bg days be=e ! midt]m elections1 caus+ at lea/ #af dea?s1 damag+ or de/roy+ an e/imat$ #dj1jjj homes1 & result+ 9 approximately #be billion 9 damages4 ,! de/ruction displac$ t5s ( ?\s&s ( vot]s & =c$ ! closure ( poll+ places1 significantly depress+ turn\t among/ vot]s recov]+ f ! hurricane :o 7 =c$ to travel long] di/ances to ca/ a ballot4 7#g7 ,9 #bjba1 ,hurricane ,ida =c$ ! ,gov]nor ( ,l\isiana to delay sev]al elections1 s*$ul$ = ,octob]1 & relocate & consolidate poll+ places due to deva/at+ damage4 ,9 ! h>de/ hit p>ts ( ! ,/ate1 "s vot]s _h to ca/ _! ballots 9 l>ge t5ts because ( ! significant damage4 7#h7 ,9 #bjbb1 vot]s 9 ,k5tucky displac$ by tornadoes t ravag$ ! ,/ate 9 ! mon?s lead+ up to ! prim>y election _h to vote abs5tee 9 ord] to ca/ a ballot 9 _! home c\nties4 7#i7 ,hurricane ,hel5e caus$ significant damage & deva/ation ?r\gh\t ! s\!a/]n ,unit$ ,/ates--p>ticul>ly 9 ,florida1 ,georgia1 ,nor? ,c>ol9a1 ,s\? ,c>ol9a1 ,t5nessee1 & ,virg9ia--:5 x made l&fall 9 ,septemb] #bjbd4 ,! hurricane's de/ruction 0 extreme1 occurr+ dur+ ! e>ly & mail vot+ p]iod = ! ,novemb] #bjbd elections & displac+ ?\s&s :ile disrupt+ mail s]vices = c\ntless vot]s :o rely on ! ,unit$ ,/ates ,po/al ,s]vice to ca/ a ballot4 7#aj7 ,hurricane ,milton caus$ billions ( doll>s 9 damage1 spawn$ num]\s deadly tornadoes1 & displac$ c\ntless vot]s less ?an a mon? be=e ! ,novemb] #bjbd elections4 7#aa7 ,! ,unit$ ,/ates ,election ,assi/ance ,commission has publi%$ a web page on cont+5cy plann+ to help election (ficials prep>e = unexpect$ circum/ances1 includ+ natural & o!r disa/]s4 7#ab7 ,! ,unit$ ,/ates ,=e/ ,s]vice has decl>$ t in ! pa/ #bj ye>s1 _m ,/ates h _h record cata/rophic wildfires1 h>m+ p1 communities & natural res\rces & caus+ billions ( doll>s 9 damage4 ,9 runn+ #e-ye> av]age numb] ( /ructures de/roy$ by wildfires ea* ye> rose f #b1hgc 9 #bjad to #ab1bee 9 #bjbj--;a f\rfold increase 9 j six ye>s4 ,z ^! tr5ds cont9ue1 ! impacts ( climate *ange on ,am]ican lives & ,am]ican infra/ructure w gr[4 7#ac7 ,! ,national ,oceanic & ,atmosph]ic ,adm9i/ration has caution$ t extreme wea!r ev5ts caus$ by climate *ange t br+ heavy ra9s1 floods1 w9d1 sn[1 or temp]ature *anges c /ress exi/+ /ructures & facilities4 ,increas$ temp]atures require m indoor cool+1 :i* c put /ress on an en]gy grid4 ,sudd5 heavy ra9fall c lead to flood+ t %uts d[n highways & major bus9ess areas4 ,ea* ( ^! factors may /ra9 election infra/ructure if !y occur dur+ a vot+ p]iod4 7#ad7 ,! ,dep>tm5t ( ,def5se has decl>$ t ris+ temp]atures1 *ang+ precipitation patt]ns1 & m frequ5t1 extreme1 & unpr$ictable wea!r conditions caus$ by climate *ange are wors5+ exi/+ security risks & creat+ new *all5ges = ! ,unit$ ,/ates4 ,^! security risks & *all5ges are amplifi$ :5 !y ?reat5 ! elections t =m ! b$rock ( our ,republic4 7#ae7 ,! ,dep>tm5t ( ,en]gy has not$ t sev]e wea!r--! lead+ cause ( p[] outages & fuel supply disruption 9 ! ,unit$ ,/ates--is project$ to wors51 ) eight ( ! #aj mo/ de/ructive hurricanes ( all "t hav+ happ5$ 9 ! la/ #aj ye>s4 ,! cata/rophic effects ( sev]e wea!r ?reat5 ! sanctity ( ,am]ican elections1 & we mu/ ensure t our election sy/ems are prep>$ = wors5+ climate *ange-bas$ wea!r ev5ts4 7#af7 ,! ,dep>tm5t ( ! ,int]ior has cl>ifi$ t ! climate crisis disproportionately affects und]s]v$ communities4 ,^! communities already face significant b>ri]s to ! ballot4 7#ag7 ,presid5t ,trump's budget reque/ proposes ! elim9ation ( ! ,election ,security ,grants fund+ program t supports ,/ate & local election adm9i/ration1 9 addition to dra/ic cuts to ! ,election ,assi/ance ,commission--cuts t w\ld h>m ,/ates' ability to conduct secure1 safe1 & fair elections 9 ! face ( natural disa/]s4 7#ah7 ,x is incumb5t ^u election adm9i/rators nationwide to ensure ! resili5cy ( our elections--& ?r\gh our elections1 our v democracy--9 ! face ( ! wors5+ climate crisis4 #c4 ,ensur+ election adm9i/rators prep>e & reta9 cont9uity ( op]ations plans = use 9 ! ev5t ( disa/] 7a7 ,requirem5t ,title ,,ix ( ! ,help ,am]ica ,vote ,act ( #bjjb 7#eb ,u4,s4,c4 #baada et seq47 is am5d$ by add+ at ! end ! foll[+3 #ijg4 ,cont9uity ( op]ations plan requirem5t 7a7 ,9 g5]al ,ea* ,/ate t receives a grant or o!r paym5t "u ?is ,act aft] ! date ( ! enactm5t ( ?is section-- 7#a7 %all1 n lat] ?an ,septemb] #cj1 #bjbh1 submit to ! ,commission a cont9uity ( op]ations plan to ensure ! successful adm9i/ration ( elections 9 ! ev5t ( disa/]1 acc\nt+ = ! disa/]s mo/ likely to occur 9 ! jurisdiction ( su* recipi5t1 includ+ a major disa/] 7z def9$ 9 section #ajb ( ! ,rob]t ,t4 ,/af=d ,disa/] ,relief & ,em]g5cy ,assi/ance ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #eabb772 7#b7 %all1 n lat] ?an ,septemb] #cj1 #bjcc1 & n less frequ5tly ?an e #e ye>s !reaft] until ,septemb] #cj1 #bjdc1 update su* plan to reflect evolv+ risks or *ang+ conditions & promptly submit ! updat$ v]sion ( su* plan to ! ,commission2 7#c7 may1 aft] ,septemb] #cj1 #bjdc1 update su* plan to reflect evolv+ risks or *ang+ conditions & submit ! updat$ v]sion ( su* plan to ! ,commission2 7#d7 %all reta9 ea* plan submitt$ "u p>agraph 7#a71 7#b71 or 7#c7 until ! date t is #e ye>s aft] ! date su* plan 0 submitt$ to ! ,commission2 & 7#e7 may coord9ate ) ! ,commission1 o!r ,/ates1 ,tribal gov]nm5ts1 units ( local gov]nm5t1 or o!r res\rces or entities :5 prep>+ su* plan4 7b7 ,publication ,! ,commission %all dissem9ate to ! public 7?r\gh ! int]net1 publi%$ reports1 & o!r me?ods ! ,commission consid]s appropriate7 any cont9uity ( op]ations plan receiv$ pursuant to ?is section1 except t no in=mation s dissem9at$ may expose p]sonally id5tifiable in=mation or endang] national security1 public infra/ructure1 or public safety4 4 7b7 ,cl]ical am5dm5t ,! table ( cont5ts ( su* ,act is am5d$ by ins]t+ aft] ! item relat+ to section #ijf ! foll[+ new item3 ,sec4 #ijg4 ,cont9uity ( op]ations plan requirem5t4 4 #d4 ,report on vot] regi/ration & ,f$]al assi/ance = election adm9i/ration 9 ! ev5t ( a major disa/] 7a7 ,9 g5]al ,! ,comptroll] ,g5]al ( ! ,unit$ ,/ates %all conduct-- 7#a7 an analysis ( ! effect ( natural disa/]s on vot] regi/ration rates 9 areas affect$ by su* disa/]s2 7#b7 an analysis ( ways t ! ,f$]al ,gov]nm5t may bett] assi/ ,/ates & units ( local gov]nm5t 9 ! adm9i/ration ( elections 9 ! ev5t ( a cov]$ major disa/]1 includ+ ! ways exi/+ ,f$]al res\rces 9 regions pot5tially affect$ by su* a cov]$ major disa/] t are n allocat$ to life-sav+ or national security measures %\ld be engag$ to support election infra/ructure2 & 7#c7 a /udy ( legislative au?orizations1 if any are ne$$1 t ,congress may consid] to ensure ! effici5t & effective deploym5t ( em]g5cy res\rces to support election infra/ructure 9 ! ev5t t ! ,presid5t decl>es a cov]$ major disa/]4 7b7 ,report ,n lat] ?an ,septemb] #cj1 #bjbf1 ! ,comptroll] ,g5]al %all submit to ! ,committee on ,h\se ,adm9i/ration ( ! ,h\se ( ,repres5tatives & ! ,committee on ,rules & ,adm9i/ration ( ! ,s5ate a report on ! analysis & /udy requir$ "u subsection 7a74 7c7 ,limitation on au?ority ,no provision ( ?is ,act may be con/ru$ to au?orize any p[] ( ! ,f$]al ,gov]nm5t to seize or hold any ballot or vot+ ma*9e4 #e4 ,grants = /r5g!n+ ,am]ican elections aga9/ climate *ange-driv5 disa/]s 7a7 ,9 g5]al ,! ,election ,assi/ance ,commission %all make grants to assi/ ,/ates 9 /r5g!n+ ! resili5cy ( ,/ate vot+ sy/ems aga9/ pot5tial cov]$ major disa/]s to improve ! quality1 reliability1 accuracy1 accessibility1 af=dability1 & security ( vot+ equipm5t1 election sy/ems1 & vot+ te*nology4 7b7 ,use ( funds ,a ,/ate %all use ! funds provid$ "u a grant made "u ?is section to c>ry out "o or m ( ! foll[+ activities3 7#a7 ,improv+ ! adm9i/ration ( elections = ,f$]al (fice ) specific reg>d to disa/] prep>$ness4 7#b7 ,educat+ vot]s conc]n+ ,/ate plans = election adm9i/ration dur+ or imm$iately aft] a cov]$ major disa/]4 7#c7 ,tra9+ election (ficials1 poll work]s1 & election volunte]s ) respect to disa/] prep>$ness4 7#d7 ,develop+ or publi%+ ! cont9uity ( op]ation plan requir$ by section #c ( ?is ,act4 7#e7 ,improv+1 acquir+1 leas+1 modify+1 or replac+ vot+ sy/ems & te*nology & me?ods = ca/+ & c\nt+ votes1 provid$ t su* improvem5ts1 acquisitions1 leases1 modifications1 or replacem5ts w enhance ! resili5cy ( a ,f$]al election 9 ! ,/ate4 7#f7 ,e/abli%+ or modify+ a toll-free hotl9e t vot]s may use to obta9 in=mation on h[ & :]e to vote 9 ! ev5t ( a cov]$ major disa/]4 7c7 ,limitation ,a ,/ate may n use ! funds provid$ "u a grant made "u ?is section-- 7#a7 to pay ! co/s associat$ ) any litigation1 except to ! ext5d t su* co/s o!rwise con/itute p]mitt$ uses ( a grant "u ?is section2 7#b7 = ! paym5t ( any judgm5t2 or 7#c7 = any use t w\ld violate a ,/ate or ,f$]al c\rt ord]4 7d7 ,au?orization ( appropriations ,!re are au?oriz$ to be appropriat$ = grants "u ?is section-- 7#a7 #bj1jjj1jjj = fiscal ye> #bjbf2 7#b7 #bj1jjj1jjj = fiscal ye> #bjbg2 7#c7 #bj1jjj1jjj = fiscal ye> #bjbh2 7#d7 #bj1jjj1jjj = fiscal ye> #bjbi2 & 7#e7 #bj1jjj1jjj = fiscal ye> #bjcj4 #f4 ,def9itions ,9 ?is ,act3 7#a7 ,cov]$ major disa/] ,! t]m cov]$ major disa/] means a major disa/] decl>$ by ! ,presid5t dur+ ! vot+ p]iod ( a ,f$]al election pursuant to section #dja ( ! ,rob]t ,t4 ,/af=d ,disa/] ,relief & ,em]g5cy ,assi/ance ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #eagj7 9 response to-- 7,a7 a natural cata/rophe1 includ+ hurricane1 tornado1 /orm1 high wat]1 w9d-driv5 wat]1 tidal wave1 tsunami1 e>?quake1 volcanic eruption1 l&slide1 mudslide1 sn[/orm1 extreme heat1 & dr\ght2 7,b7 a fire1 flood1 or explosion1 reg>dless ( cause2 or 7,c7 an act ( t]rorism4 7#b7 ,/ate ,! t]m ,/ate has ! mean+ giv5 su* t]m 9 section #ija ( ! ,help ,am]ica ,vote ,act ( #bjjb 7#eb ,u4,s4,c4 #baada74