H.R. 4420

[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 4420 Introduced in House (IH)]

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119th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 4420

To reauthorize and amend the Healthy Streets program to enhance the 
resilience, accessibility, and safety of the Nation's transportation 
corridors by supporting strategic investments in tree canopy, shade 
infrastructure, and other nature-based cooling strategies along 
pedestrian, bicycle, and transit routes.

_______________________________________________________________________

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

July 15, 2025

Ms. Strickland (for herself, Mr. Lawler, Ms. Norton, Ms. Adams, Mr. 
Thanedar, Ms. Titus, Ms. Matsui, Mr. Cleaver, Mr. Cohen, Mr. Stanton, 
Ms. Ansari, Ms. Garcia of Texas, Ms. Scanlon, Mr. Ruiz, Mr. Kennedy of 
New York, and Mr. Harder of California) introduced the following bill; 
which was referred to the Committee on Transportation and 
Infrastructure

_______________________________________________________________________

A BILL

To reauthorize and amend the Healthy Streets program to enhance the 
resilience, accessibility, and safety of the Nation's transportation 
corridors by supporting strategic investments in tree canopy, shade 
infrastructure, and other nature-based cooling strategies along 
pedestrian, bicycle, and transit routes.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the ``Cool Corridors Act of 2025''.

SEC. 2. FINDINGS; PURPOSE.

(a) Findings.--Congress finds the following:
(1) Extreme heat is a growing public health and 
infrastructure challenge.
(2) Tree canopy and green infrastructure reduce surface and 
air temperatures, improve safety and usability along 
transportation corridors, and protect infrastructure from heat-
related degradation.
(3) Communities with limited infrastructure investment 
often lack sufficient tree cover and face increased exposure to 
extreme heat and limited transportation access.
(4) Federal programs such as the Healthy Streets program 
and the Urban and Community Forestry Program have demonstrated 
both high demand and the effectiveness of locally driven, 
community-scale interventions.
(5) Locally driven efforts to plant and maintain trees 
along key walking, biking, and transit corridors are under-
resourced, despite proven benefits to heat mitigation, public 
safety, and community health.
(b) Purpose.--The purpose of this Act is to--
(1) promote the deployment of cooling infrastructure along 
transportation corridors;
(2) enhance resilience and safety of transportation systems 
in the face of extreme heat and improve air quality;
(3) improve safety, accessibility, and usability for 
pedestrians, cyclists, and transit users;
(4) extend the useful life of infrastructure; and
(5) prioritize investment in communities facing 
disproportionate heat and access challenges.

SEC. 3. REAUTHORIZATION OF HEALTHY STREETS PROGRAM.

Section 11101(b)(2)(C) of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs 
Act (23 U.S.C. 101 note(b)(2)(C)) is amended by striking ``through 
2026'' and inserting ``through 2030''.

SEC. 4. HEALTHY STREETS PROGRAM.

(a) In General.--Section 11406 of the Infrastructure Investment and 
Jobs Act (23 U.S.C. 101 note) is amended--
(1) in subsection (a)--
(A) in paragraph (2)--
(i) in subparagraph (D) by striking ``and'' 
at the end;
(ii) in subparagraph (E) by striking the 
period and inserting a semicolon; and
(iii) by adding at the end the following:
``(F) State and local transit agencies;
``(G) State departments of transportation;
``(H) local educational agencies; and
``(I) tree and greenspace stewardship 
organizations, environmental asset management groups, 
or infrastructure resilience partners with experience 
in protecting and sustaining green infrastructure and 
shade assets.''; and
(B) by adding at the end the following:
``(8) Cool corridor.--The term `cool corridor' means--
``(A) a designated transportation route enhanced 
through linear greening strategies, including tree 
canopy, shade infrastructure, and other nature-based 
solutions designed to reduce surface and ambient 
temperatures; and
``(B) incorporates planning and stewardship 
measures to ensure the long-term functionality, 
protection, and climate resilience of the activities 
described in subparagraph (A).
``(9) Heat mitigation strategies.--The term `heat 
mitigation strategies' means activities that result in the 
mitigation of heat in public spaces, including tree planting, 
vegetative infrastructure, cool or reflective surfaces, shade 
structures, and other evidence-based practices, including the 
maintenance and preservation of already existing green 
infrastructure, roadside vegetations and trees.'';
(2) in subsection (b)--
(A) by inserting ``for demonstration projects in 
geographically and climatically diverse regions, 
including both urban and rural communities with 
historically low tree canopy or high heat 
vulnerability'' before ``to eligible entities'';
(B) in paragraph (1) by striking ``and'' at the 
end;
(C) in paragraph (2) by striking the period and 
inserting ``, including the integration of shade 
structures, bus stop shelters, and climate-resilient 
streetscape elements, which may include the strategic 
planting of trees for shade;''; and
(D) by adding at the end the following:
``(3) to plan, design, construction, and maintain tree 
canopy and green infrastructure along public transportation 
corridors, including alongside transportation right of ways, at 
bus stops, near transit hubs, and within designated public-
school zones and properties;
``(4) to deploy smart sensors and data tools to monitor 
heat exposure and performance;
``(5) for community engagement, planning, and workforce 
development activities relating to heat mitigation, tree 
planting and maintenance; and
``(6) to integrate cooling infrastructure into existing or 
planned multimodal corridors or new and existing transportation 
projects; particularly school zones, and neighborhood-scale 
corridors where pedestrian mobility is high to create cool 
corridors'';
(3) in subsection (d)(2)--
(A) in subparagraph (A) by striking ``and'' at the 
end;
(B) in subparagraph (B) by striking the period at 
the end and inserting ``; and''; and
(C) by adding at the end the following:
``(C) plans to undergo review and seek approval 
from the State or local agency of jurisdiction prior to 
project implementation to ensure projects do not 
interfere or hinder any ongoing or future 
developments.'';
(4) in subsection (f)--
(A) in paragraph (1) by inserting ``that is 
impacted by high heat or low tree canopy coverage'' 
after ``disadvantaged community'';
(B) in paragraph (2) by striking ``or'' at the end;
(C) in paragraph (3) by striking the period at the 
end and inserting a semicolon; and
(D) by adding at the end the following:
``(4) that improves access to transit, schools, jobs, or 
essential services;
``(5) that incorporates maintenance and long-term 
sustainability plans;
``(6) that leverages additional funding through public 
private or interagency coordination;
``(7) that aims to preserve and maintain existing green 
infrastructure and vegetation alongside transportation 
corridors and transit routes;
``(8) that incorporates the use of vegetation or tree 
species that require minimal maintenance; or
``(9) that integrates workforce training and urban forestry 
job creation strategies.''; and
(5) by adding at the end the following:
``(i) Interagency Coordination.--In carrying out the program under 
this section, the Secretary shall coordinate with the following, as 
appropriate:
``(1) The Administrator of the Environmental Protection 
Agency.
``(2) The Secretary of Energy.
``(3) The Secretary of Housing and Urban Development.
``(4) The Secretary of Agriculture, particularly the Chief 
of the Forest Service.
``(5) The Director of the United States Climate Resilience 
Toolkit and United States Global Change Research Program.
``(j) Technical Assistance and Guidance.--The Secretary, in 
coordination with relevant Federal agencies, shall provide--
``(1) technical assistance, model project templates, and 
guidance to grantees to promote cost-effective and evidence-
based project delivery under this section; and
``(2) guidance on tree species selection, short and long 
term stewardship plans, and integration with local forestry 
plans.
``(k) Specifications for Tree Planting.--If the recipient of a 
grant under this section uses grant funding for tree planting--
``(1) such planting shall be done in a manner that does not 
obstruct traffic views or hinder public safety, as determined 
by the Secretary; and
``(2) the recipient shall be responsible for tree 
maintenance, including watering and upkeep, as needed.
``(l) Reporting.--A recipient of a grant under this section shall 
submit to the Secretary an annual report on--
``(1) temperature reduction and environmental performance 
metrics;
``(2) infrastructure resilience improvements;
``(3) public health and equity outcomes;
``(4) cost-benefit analyses; and
``(5) community engagement practices.''.
(b) Report.--Not later than 5 years after the date of enactment of 
this Act, the Secretary of Transportation shall submit to Congress a 
report evaluating the outcomes of the program under section 11406 of 
the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (23 U.S.C. 101 note) and 
making recommendations for permanent authorization and integration of 
the program into the surface transportation block grant program under 
section 133 of title 23, United States Code.
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