Smoke and Heat Ready Communities Act of 2025 | ChamberLight
Bills · S 341
IN COMMITTEE· 119TH CONGRESS
Senate BillS 341Environmental Protection
Smoke and Heat Ready Communities Act of 2025
INTRO JAN 30· LAST ACTION JAN 30
READING
7MIN
COSPONSORS
8
READER REACTIONS0 TOTAL
NO VOTES YET · BE THE FIRST
Introduced only
LEGISLATIVE PROGRESS
STEP 2 / 8
Introduced
In Committee
Reported
Passed Senate
Passed House
Conference
To President
Became Law
WHAT THE BILL DOES
AI-written
Voters should care about this bill because it directly addresses growing public health threats that many Americans face: wildfire smoke and extreme heat. These issues lead to respiratory problems, heatstroke, and other health complications, impacting daily life, outdoor activities, and local economies. If this bill becomes law, communities would have more resources to actively monitor air quality, create safe public spaces during dangerous events, and educate residents on how to protect themselves.
Without this bill, many communities, especially those with limited resources, might continue to struggle to afford or implement comprehensive strategies for dealing with these worsening environmental challenges. The research funded by the bill could also lead to new solutions and better warning systems, which could save lives and reduce illness, making communities more resilient in the face of a changing climate.
KEY PROVISIONS
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PROVISION 01
Establishes a grant program within the Clean Air Act for air pollution control agencies to help communities detect, prepare for, communicate about, and reduce the impacts of wildfire smoke and extreme heat.
This provides direct funding for local initiatives to protect public health from two growing environmental hazards.
PROVISION 02
Authorizes grant funds to be used for activities such as deploying air quality monitoring equipment, equipping public buildings with air filtration systems (for cleaner air spaces), and distributing face masks and portable air purifiers.
These activities provide tangible tools and resources for communities and individuals to respond to and mitigate exposure to smoke and heat.
PROVISION 03
Requires the EPA Administrator to establish four Centers of Excellence at universities to research the public health effects of wildfire smoke and extreme heat, and how communities can better respond.
This provision aims to advance scientific understanding and develop evidence-based strategies for long-term resilience against these environmental threats.
PROVISION 04
Authorizes the EPA to conduct broader research on health effects, develop interventions, improve monitoring and prediction tools, and create better communication strategies.
This ensures ongoing federal research efforts to continuously improve national capacity to address and respond to smoke and heat.
Voters should care about this bill because it directly addresses growing public health threats that many Americans face: wildfire smoke and extreme heat. These issues lead to respiratory problems, heatstroke, and other health complications, impacting daily life, outdoor activities, and local economies. If this bill becomes law, communities would have more resources to actively monitor air quality, create safe public spaces during dangerous events, and educate residents on how to protect themselves.
Without this bill, many communities, especially those with limited resources, might continue to struggle to afford or implement comprehensive strategies for dealing with these worsening environmental challenges. The research funded by the bill could also lead to new solutions and better warning systems, which could save lives and reduce illness, making communities more resilient in the face of a changing climate.
KEY PROVISIONS
AI-extracted
high
Establishes a grant program within the Clean Air Act for air pollution control agencies to help communities detect, prepare for, communicate about, and reduce the impacts of wildfire smoke and extreme heat.
This provides direct funding for local initiatives to protect public health from two growing environmental hazards.
high
Authorizes grant funds to be used for activities such as deploying air quality monitoring equipment, equipping public buildings with air filtration systems (for cleaner air spaces), and distributing face masks and portable air purifiers.
These activities provide tangible tools and resources for communities and individuals to respond to and mitigate exposure to smoke and heat.
med
Requires the EPA Administrator to establish four Centers of Excellence at universities to research the public health effects of wildfire smoke and extreme heat, and how communities can better respond.
This provision aims to advance scientific understanding and develop evidence-based strategies for long-term resilience against these environmental threats.
med
Authorizes the EPA to conduct broader research on health effects, develop interventions, improve monitoring and prediction tools, and create better communication strategies.
This ensures ongoing federal research efforts to continuously improve national capacity to address and respond to smoke and heat.
Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act
Administrator to establish 4 Centers of Excellence for Wildfire Smoke and Extreme Heat at institutions of higher education.
Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act
Administrator to begin carrying out research on wildfire smoke and extreme heat health effects, interventions, monitoring tools, and communication strategies.
Smoke and Extreme Heat-Ready Communities grant program
discretionary
Each fiscal year
$10,000,000
Centers of Excellence for Wildfire Smoke and Extreme Heat
discretionary
Fiscal year 2026 and each fiscal year thereafter
$20,000,000
EPA research on wildfire smoke and extreme heat
discretionary
Fiscal year 2026 and each fiscal year thereafter
GLOSSARY
AI-written
Administrator (EPA)
The head of the Environmental Protection Agency, a federal government department responsible for protecting human health and the environment.
Air Pollution Control Agencies
State or local government bodies responsible for monitoring air quality, enforcing air pollution laws, and developing plans to reduce air pollution within their jurisdiction.
Clean Air Act
A major federal law designed to control air pollution across the country, setting national air quality standards and regulating emissions from various sources.
Extreme Heat
Periods of unusually hot weather that can pose significant health risks, the specific definition of which would be determined by the EPA in consultation with other federal agencies.
Particulate Matter (PM)
Tiny pieces of solid or liquid matter found in the air, such as dust, dirt, soot, or smoke. Small particles can be inhaled and cause health problems.
Wildfire Smoke
A complex mixture of gases and fine particles released into the air when wildfires burn. It can significantly reduce air quality and cause respiratory and other health issues.
Authorization of Appropriations
ACTION TIMELINE
2 EVENTS
JAN 30, 25
Introduced in Senate
INTROREFERRAL
JAN 30, 25
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
A legislative act that permits money to be spent on a specific program, but does not actually provide the money itself. Actual funding requires a separate appropriations bill.
Centers of Excellence
Designated research institutions, typically at universities, recognized for their expertise in a particular field, in this case, wildfire smoke and extreme heat.
