,,ii #aaith ,,congress #ast ,session ,s4 #abad ,,in ,,the ,,senate ,,of ,,the ,,united ,,states ,march #ca1 #bjbe,mr4 ,markey 7for himself1 ,mr4 ,blumenthal1 ,ms4 ,blunt ,rochester1 ,mr4 ,booker1 ,mrs4 ,gillibrand1 ,mr4 ,padilla1 ,mr4 ,sanders1 ,mr4 ,van ,hollen1 ,ms4 ,warren1 ,mr4 ,whitehouse1 and ,mr4 ,wyden7 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 ,while the average energy burden for non-low-income households is approximately #c percent1 low-income households experience energy burdens that are #c times higher1 with #a in #d low-income households spending more than #ae percent of their income on energy bills4 ,the report for the ,household ,pulse ,survey of the ,bureau of the ,census1 issued on ,october #c1 #bjbd1 noted that1 for families with incomes of less than #ce1jjj a year1 about #ed 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 #bjbc1 only #ah percent of income-eligible households received a subsidy under the program4 7#c7 ,climate change is fueling increasingly intense winter storms1 frequent hurricanes and wildfires1 and extreme temperatures4 ,over the past #b decades1 the ,united ,states has seen a #ace percent increase in billion-dollar winter disasters1 fueled by climate change1 rising from #ca of those disasters from #aihe through #bjjd1 to #gc of those disasters from #bjje through #bjbd4 7#d7 ,heat waves are increasingly common as climate change accelerates1 and now occur more often in major cities across the ,united ,states4 ,according to reports from the ,national ,aeronautics and ,space ,administration1 #bjbd was the hottest year on record in ,earth's history4 ,the average heat wave season across #ej cities is approximately #df days longer now than it was in the #aifjs1 and the ,american ,medical ,association found that heat-related deaths have increased by over #af percent per year since #bjaf4 ,however1 in fiscal year #bjbc1 less than #c percent of income-eligible households received cooling assistance under the ,low-,income ,home ,energy ,assistance ,program1 with only #g percent of funding from the ,low-,income ,home ,energy ,assistance ,program going toward cooling needs4 ,as a result1 the ,federal ,government should provide further cooling assistance for communities in need4 7#e7 ,as a result of rising home energy bills and insufficient ,federal funding for the ,low-,income ,home ,energy ,assistance ,program1 residential utility arrears1 or the amount of funds owed by households to their utilities1 has climbed to an all-time high of over #ba1jjj1jjj1jjj as of ,september #bjbd1 with over #ba1jjj1jjj households in debt to electric utilities and over #ae1jjj1jjj households in debt to natural gas companies4 ,nearly #a out of every #g households is behind on their electric or gas bill4 7#f7 ,while most ,states have shutoff protections that prevent utility companies from disconnecting a customer's energy service during the coldest winter months1 #aj ,states have no winter shutoff protections1 and #bi ,states have no summer shutoff protections4 ,even in certain ,states with winter or summer shutoff protections1 shutoffs continue to increase as the period around the hottest and coldest months lengthens4 7#g7 ,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#h7 ,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 and energy resiliency2 7,c7 enhance timely and meaningful public participation and 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;e71 #bfje7u71 #bfjg;,a1 #bfjg;,b1 or #bfjg;,c72 and 7,b7 by striking #b1jjj1jjj1jjj and all that follows and inserting such sums as may be necessary1 including such sums as may be necessary to enable the ,states to assist all households that meet the eligibility requirements established under this title and to enable ,states to implement home energy affordability measures described in section #bfje7;b77#c742 7#b7 in subsection 7e71 in the first sentence-- 7,a7 by striking in each fiscal year2 7,b7 by striking #fjj1jjj1jjj and inserting #b1jjj1jjj1jjj for fiscal year #bjbf1 and #b1jjj1jjj1jjj plus such additional sums as may be necessary for each fiscal year thereafter12 and 7,c7 by inserting 1 or arising from a major disaster1 as defined in section #bfjd7;e77#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 #bfjg;,c1 including making grants under that section1 #a1jjj1jjj1jjj for fiscal year #bjbf1 and #a1jjj1jjj1jjj plus such additional sums as may be necessary for each fiscal year thereafter4 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#f7 through 7#h71 7#aj7 through 7#ac71 and 7#ae71 respectively2 7#b7 by inserting after paragraph 7#c7 the following3 7#d7 ,the terms extreme heat and extreme cold1 used with respect to a period1 means a period in which there is an increased risk of-- 7,a7 heat-related or cold-related1 respectively1 illness1 hospitalization1 or death2 or 7,b7 failures or energy shutoffs of home cooling or heating1 respectively4 7#e7 ,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#h71 as so redesignated1 the following3 7#i7 ,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#ac71 as so redesignated1 the following3 7#ad7 ,the term ,state agency means any ,state agency that administers the program funded under section #bfjb7;b74 4 #e4 ,assistance for emergencies and major disasters1 including extreme heat and cold ,section #bfjd of the ,low-,income ,home ,energy ,assistance ,act of #aiha 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #hfbc7 is amended-- 7#a7 in subsection 7a77#a77;,b71 by striking section #bfje7;b77#i77;,b7 and inserting section #bfje7;b77#aj77;,b72 and 7#b7 in subsection 7e7-- 7,a7 by striking 7e7 and inserting the following3 7e7 7#a7 ,in this subsection3 7#b7 2 7,b7 in paragraph 7#a71 by adding at the end the following3 7,a7 ,the term covered household means an eligible household in an area where the ,president1 or the ,secretary1 as the case may be1 has declared or determined the occurrence of a natural disaster1 emergency1 or major disaster4 7,b7 ,the term major disaster means-- 7i7 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 7ii7 a public health emergency determined under section #cai of the ,public ,health ,service ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #bdg;d72 or 7iii7 a period of extreme heat or extreme cold1 as determined by the ,secretary4 2 7,c7 in paragraph 7#b71 as so designated1 by striking natural disaster or other emergency involved and inserting natural disaster1 emergency1 or major disaster involved2 and 7,d7 by adding at the end the following3 7#c7 ,upon a declaration or a determination of a natural disaster1 emergency1 or major disaster1 for an area1 the ,secretary and the ,administrator of the ,federal ,emergency ,management ,agency shall1 to the extent practicable1 provide heating or cooling assistance through such an allotment to a ,state for covered households in that area4 7#d7 ,to receive assistance under this subsection1 the ,state that has jurisdiction over the covered households shall provide assurances to the ,secretary that the ,state-- 7,a7 will not preclude a household that receives heating assistance or cooling assistance under this title during a calendar year1 on the basis of obtaining that assistance1 from receiving cooling assistance or heating assistance1 respectively1 under this title during that year2 7,b7 will not require a household to indicate that a household member has a medical need for assistance under this title1 to be eligible for that assistance2 and 7,c7 will allow use of such assistance for purposes for which heating or 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 #f4 ,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 7b7-- 7,a7 in paragraph 7#a77;,a71 by striking paragraph 7#e7 and inserting paragraph 7#f72 7,b7 in paragraph 7#b7-- 7i7 in the matter preceding subparagraph 7,a71 by inserting 1 subject to subsection 7c77#a77;,a71 after only2 7ii7 in subparagraph 7,b71 by striking 7,b7 and all that follows through clause 7ii7 and inserting the following3 7,b7 households with incomes which do not exceed the greater of-- 7i7 an amount equal to #bej percent of the poverty level2 or 7ii7 an amount equal to #hj percent of the ,state median income1 2 and 7iii7 in the matter following subparagraph 7,b7-- 7,i7 by striking may give and inserting shall give2 and 7,,ii7 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,c7 by redesignating paragraphs 7#c7 through 7#af7 as paragraphs 7#d7 through 7#ag71 respectively2 7,d7 by inserting after paragraph 7#b7 the following3 7#c7 ,energy burden limits ,to the extent practicable1 the ,secretary shall work with ,states using funding under section #bfjb7;b7 7supplemented by funding available through ,state-level energy programs1 utility affordability initiatives1 or other mechanisms as determined by the ,state in consultation with the ,secretary7 to implement home energy affordability measures-- 7,a7 to ensure that no household eligible under paragraph 7#b7 experiences an energy burden for which the expenditures of the household for home energy exceed #c percent of household income2 and 7,b7 to prioritize the further reduction of energy burdens for such eligible households with the lowest incomes4 2 and 7,e7 in subparagraph 7,b7 of paragraph 7#aj71 as so redesignated1 by striking paragraph 7#af7 and inserting paragraph 7#ag72 7#b7 in subsection 7c77#a7-- 7,a7 in subparagraph 7,a71 by striking assistance to be provided under this title1 including criteria and inserting assistance to be provided under this title1 including-- 7i7 certifying that the ,state and local coordinating agencies in the ,state-- 7,i7 shall1 to the greatest extent possible1 use data sharing agreements with ,federal and ,state low-income assistance programs1 including the supplemental nutrition assistance program established under the ,food and ,nutrition ,act of #bjjh 7#g ,u4,s4,c4 #bjaa et seq471 the ,medicaid program established under title ,,xix of the ,social ,security ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #acif et seq471 and the supplemental security income program established under title ,,xvi of the ,social ,security ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #acha et seq471 to verify eligibility2 7,,ii7 shall implement simplified re-enrollment procedures for households with fixed incomes or households already determined to be eligible under other ,federal and ,state low-income assistance programs1 to reduce administrative burdens on applicants and agencies2 7,,iii7 shall not require applicants to submit proof of citizenship to establish status as an eligible household2 and 7,,iv7 if neither the verification process described in subclause 7,i7 nor the re-enrollment process described in subclause 7,,ii7 apply to a household1 shall allow applicants to self-attest that the applicants meet the criteria established under this title for an eligible household1 to the extent necessary to facilitate access to assistance and prevent undue hardship for applicants2 and 7ii7 describing criteria4 2 7,b7 in subparagraph 7,e71 by striking paragraph 7#e7 and inserting paragraph 7#f72 and 7,c7 in subparagraph 7,f71 by striking clauses 7#c71 7#d71 7#e71 7#f71 7#g71 7#h71 7#aj71 7#ab71 7#ac71 and 7#ae7 of subsection 7b7 and inserting paragraphs 7#d71 7#e71 7#f71 7#g71 7#h71 7#i71 7#aa71 7#ac71 7#ad71 and 7#af7 of subsection 7b72 7#c7 in subsection 7e71 by striking subsection 7b77#aj7 and inserting subsection 7b77#aa72 7#d7 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 seq471 assistance under this title shall not be considered to be a ,federal public benefit4 2 and 7#e7 in subsection 7j71 by striking the ,state may apply and inserting the ,state may1 subject to subsection 7c77#a77;,a77i71 apply4 #g4 ,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 toxics-free materials that do not contain asthmagens or respiratory sensitizers1 giving priority in the use of those funds under this subparagraph1 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#h71 as so redesignated-- 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 #b-year period beginning on the date the household received the assistance2 7,g7 ensure that the home energy supplier1 in return for receiving funds 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 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 a low-income energy affordability payment program2 2 and 7,c7 in paragraph 7#aj71 as so redesignated-- 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 7p72 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 training for ,,heap coordinators1 ,state agency staff1 and community partners on best practices for outreach1 application processing1 and assisting eligible households2 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 ensure autoenrollment of eligible households into the program funded under section #bfjb7;b71 and in the process document any potential barriers to autoenrollment 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#aj77;,c7 and the measures the ,state has taken so far to carry out that expansion2 and 2 and 7#c7 by adding at the end the following3 7m7 ,the ,secretary shall allow1 to the greatest extent possible1 eligible households to obtain assistance with minimal administrative burden1 by carrying out 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#h77;,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#aj7 to increase1 through partnerships with elementary schools1 secondary schools1 and local educational agencies1 enrollment in the program funded 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 device that requires electricity4 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-afi1 or an amendment made by such law4 7q7 ,not later than #a year after the date of enactment of the ,heating and ,cooling ,relief ,act1 the ,secretary shall require each ,state receiving funds under this title1 including allotments under subsection 7a7 or 7e7 of section #bfjd1 to develop and update as necessary1 an action plan for a period of extreme heat1 which shall describe how the ,state will use its allotments under this title to assist eligible households in covering cooling costs and mitigating heat-related health risks4 7r7 ,not later than #a year after the date of enactment of the ,heating and ,cooling ,relief ,act1 the ,secretary shall conduct a review of eligibility criteria for assistance under this title and identify additional vulnerable populations to include under such criteria1 such as pregnant women and individuals with medical conditions exacerbated by a period of extreme heat4 7s7 ,the ,secretary1 in consultation with the ,secretary of ,energy1 shall require ,state energy offices receiving ,federal funds under this title to develop plans-- 7#a7 to retrofit low-income housing stock to adapt to rising temperatures and address environmental hazards1 including-- 7,a7 deploying highly efficient cooling systems1 including heat pumps2 7,b7 expanding weatherization and passive cooling strategies2 7,c7 addressing structural and health hazards1 including mold1 lead1 asbestos1 and pest infections2 and 7,d7 ensuring that necessary electrical panel and wiring upgrades are completed to support the installation of cooling systems and energy efficiency improvements2 and 7#b7 to assess and adapt existing 7as of the date of development of the plan7 shutoff policies to protect all households while considering the impact on energy affordability and energy grid reliability4 7t7 7#a7 ,not later than #a year after the date of enactment of the ,heating and ,cooling ,relief ,act1 the ,secretary1 in consultation with the ,secretary of ,housing and ,urban ,development1 shall submit a report to ,congress that-- 7,a7 identifies safe residential temperature standards for federally assisted dwelling units1 considering risks of periods of extreme heat and extreme cold and regional climate variations2 and 7,b7 proposes strategies to ensure compliance with the standards1 including permitting covered utility allowances to be used for cooling assistance where feasible1 taking into account regional climate variations and housing stock differences4 7#b7 ,in this subsection1 the term covered utility allowance means a utility allowance-- 7,a7 applicable to public housing dwelling units under section #c of the ,united ,states ,housing ,act of #aicg 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #adcg;a72 or 7,b7 under the housing choice voucher program under section #h7o77#b77;,d7 of the ,united ,states ,housing ,act of #aicg 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #adcg;f7o77#b77;,d774 4 #h4 ,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 #i4 ,home energy payment arrears data collection ,section #bfje of the ,low-,income ,home ,energy ,assistance ,act of #aiha 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #hfbd71 as amended by section #g1 is further amended by adding at the end the following3 7u7 7#a7 7,a7 ,the ,secretary1 in consultation with the ,secretary of ,energy1 shall develop a standardized template for ,states and home energy suppliers to use to track and report data on eligible households in arrears in home energy payments1 including data on the related fees and disconnections for such households4 7,b7 ,the template developed under subparagraph 7,a7 shall-- 7i7 include a definition of an eligible household in arrears1 with respect to home energy payments1 as an eligible household that has not made payment on a home energy bill for more than #fj to #ij days1 as determined by the ,state agency or local coordinating agency1 unless otherwise specified by ,state law2 7ii7 include metrics on related disconnections1 late fees1 reconnections1 and arrearage balances for eligible households2 and 7iii7 align with existing 7as of the date of the development7 ,federal and ,state reporting mechanisms where applicable4 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 payment arrearages with assistance provided through the program funded under section #bfjb7;b71 including by paying for such arrearages at the time of dissemination of assistance through that program4 ,such guidance shall prohibit any home energy supplier receiving funds through the program from recovering arrearage assistance costs through rate increases or other charges to customers1 including cost recovery mechanisms that disproportionately impact low-income households4 7#c7 ,to the extent practicable1 the ,secretary and the ,secretary of ,energy shall jointly-- 7,a7 implement a data tracking system1 aligned with the standardized reporting template developed under paragraph 7#a71 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 payment arrearages of eligible households4 7#d7 ,the ,secretary1 in consultation with the ,secretary of ,energy1 may make grants to ,states to assist the ,states in implementing data tracking and reporting requirements under this subsection4 7#e7 ,there are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this subsection such sums as may be necessary4 4 #aj4 ,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 #aa4 ,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 for a period of #c years 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 eligible households with the highest energy burdens and lowest incomes1 in alignment with the priority provisions in paragraphs 7#b7 and 7#c7 of section #bfje7;b71 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 #ab4 ,conforming amendments ,the ,low-,income ,home ,energy ,assistance ,act of #aiha 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #hfba et seq47 is amended-- 7#a7 in section #bfjg;,b7e77#b77,k7 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #hfbf;b7e77#b77,k77 by striking paragraphs 7#b71 7#c71 7#d71 7#e71 7#g71 7#i71 7#aj71 7#aa71 7#ab71 7#ac71 and 7#ad7 of section #bfje7;b7 and inserting paragraphs 7#b71 7#d71 7#e71 7#f71 7#h71 7#aj71 7#aa71 7#ab71 7#ac71 7#ad71 and 7#ae7 of section #bfje7;b72 and 7#b7 in section #bfaj7;b77#a7 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #hfbi7 by striking clauses 7#b71 7#e71 7#h71 and 7#ae7 of section #bfje7;b7 and inserting paragraphs 7#b71 7#f71 7#i71 and 7#af7 of section #bfje7;b74