H.R. 9021

[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 9021 Introduced in House (IH)]

<DOC>

119th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. R. 9021

To improve response to, and preparation for, heat waves and extreme 
heat, and for other purposes.

_______________________________________________________________________

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

May 22, 2026

Mrs. Watson Coleman (for herself, Ms. DeGette, Ms. Stansbury, Ms. 
Norton, Ms. Jayapal, Mr. Carter of Louisiana, Ms. Crockett, Ms. Castor 
of Florida, Mr. Mullin, and Mr. Fields) introduced the following bill; 
which was referred to the Committee on Financial Services, and in 
addition to the Committees on Science, Space, and Technology, Energy 
and Commerce, Ways and Means, and Education and Workforce, for a period 
to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for 
consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the 
committee concerned

_______________________________________________________________________

A BILL

To improve response to, and preparation for, heat waves and extreme 
heat, and for other purposes.

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 ``Stay Cool Act''.

SEC. 2. TABLE OF CONTENTS.

The table of contents for this Act is as follows:

Sec. 1. Short title.
Sec. 2. Table of contents.
TITLE I--HEAT EMERGENCY

Sec. 101. National Integrated Heat Health Information System.
Sec. 102. National ranking system.
Sec. 103. Study on naming heat waves.
Sec. 104. Grants for checking on seniors during extreme heat events.
Sec. 105. Study for improved tracking of data on deaths related to heat 
or other environmental factors.
TITLE II--COMMUNITY RESILIENCE AND COOLING CENTERS

Sec. 201. Grants for community resilience centers.
Sec. 202. Grants for community resilience and cooling centers to 
purchase or repair HVAC systems and passive 
cooling systems.
Sec. 203. Grants for outreach and publicity regarding community 
resilience and cooling centers.
Sec. 204. Payroll credit for cooling centers.
TITLE III--HOUSING

Sec. 301. Grants for providing cooling systems in public housing units.
Sec. 302. Guidance on air conditioning costs and utility allowances.
Sec. 303. Report to Congress on need for safe residential temperatures; 
regulations.
Sec. 304. Grants for providing safe residential temperatures in all 
federally assisted dwellings.
Sec. 305. Cooling device expenses.
Sec. 306. Report on revising State allotment payments under the Low-
Income Home Energy Assistance Act.
TITLE IV--URBAN DEVELOPMENT

Sec. 401. Grants for construction of usable public water features.
Sec. 402. Grant program to develop and improve high-quality urban green 
spaces.
Sec. 403. Tree planting grant program.
TITLE V--DEFINITIONS

Sec. 501. Definitions.

TITLE I--HEAT EMERGENCY

SEC. 101. NATIONAL INTEGRATED HEAT HEALTH INFORMATION SYSTEM.

(a) Interagency Committee.--The Administrator of the National 
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration shall maintain an interagency 
committee to be known as the National Integrated Heat Health 
Information System (in this section referred to as ``NIHHIS'').
(b) Membership.--The membership of NIHHIS shall include the 
following:
(1) The Administrator of the National Oceanic and 
Atmospheric Administration (or a representative thereof).
(2) The Administrator of the Environmental Protection 
Agency (or a representative thereof).
(3) The Director of the Centers for Disease Control and 
Prevention (or a representative thereof).
(4) The Director of the National Weather Service (or a 
representative thereof).
(5) Such other Federal officials as the Administrator of 
the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration determines 
appropriate.

SEC. 102. NATIONAL RANKING SYSTEM.

(a) In General.--The Director of the National Weather Service shall 
establish a national ranking system pilot program to evaluate and 
communicate to the public the severity and risk of extreme heat based 
on human health outcomes (mortality and morbidity).
(b) Report.--Not later than 1 year after the establishment of such 
program, the Director of the National Weather Service shall submit to 
Congress a report providing recommendations and evaluating the impact 
of the national ranking system for extreme heat on public preparedness 
and response.

SEC. 103. STUDY ON NAMING HEAT WAVES.

Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, 
the Director of the National Weather Service shall--
(1) complete a study on the impact that naming heat waves 
has on public preparedness and response; and
(2) submit to the Congress a report containing the results 
of such study.

SEC. 104. GRANTS FOR CHECKING ON SENIORS DURING EXTREME HEAT EVENTS.

(a) In General.--The Secretary of Health and Human Services, in 
coordination with area agencies on aging, may award grants to eligible 
entities to develop and implement a program under which each grant 
recipient--
(1) operates a registry of seniors who are in the target 
population of, or who reside in the jurisdiction of, the grant 
recipient;
(2) includes seniors in such registry only if they opt into 
being included; and
(3) during periods of extreme heat, provides for checks on 
the health and well-being of seniors in the registry--
(A) by telephone; or
(B) by other means approved by the senior involved.
(b) Priority.--In awarding grants under the program under this 
section, the Secretary shall give priority to eligible entities that 
describe how they will identify and reach seniors who are vulnerable to 
extreme heat events due to factors such as low income, limited English 
proficiency, or identity as a racial minority or member of a State-
recognized Indian Tribe.
(c) Definitions.--In this section:
(1) The term ``area agency on aging'' has the meaning given 
to that term by section 102(6) of the Older Americans Act of 
1965 (42 U.S.C. 3002(6)).
(2) The term ``eligible entity'' means--
(A) a State, Territory, or Tribal agency;
(B) a local governmental entity;
(C) an Indian Tribe; or
(D) a nonprofit organization, community group, 
clinic, or other entity engaged in providing outreach 
and services to seniors.
(3) The term ``local governmental entity'' means any 
municipal government or county government with jurisdiction 
over local land use decisions.
(4) The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary of Health 
and Human Services.
(5) The term ``senior'' has the meaning given to that term 
by the Secretary for purposes of this section.
(d) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized to be 
appropriated to carry out this section $10,000,000 for each of fiscal 
years 2026 through 2035.

SEC. 105. STUDY FOR IMPROVED TRACKING OF DATA ON DEATHS RELATED TO HEAT 
OR OTHER ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS.

The Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 
acting through the National Vital Statistics System of the National 
Center for Health Statistics, in consultation with the National 
Integrated Heat Health Information System, shall--
(1) conduct a study on the impact of extreme heat exposure 
on all-cause mortality;
(2) as part of such study, develop recommendations for 
revising the United States standard certificate of death to 
collect information on deaths that are related to heat or other 
environmental factors; and
(3) not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of 
this Act, complete such study and submit a report on the 
results of such study to the Congress.

TITLE II--COMMUNITY RESILIENCE AND COOLING CENTERS

SEC. 201. GRANTS FOR COMMUNITY RESILIENCE CENTERS.

(a) Authority.--The Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (in 
this section referred to as the ``Secretary'') shall carry out a 
program under this section to make grants to eligible entities for 
establishing and assisting community resilience centers.
(b) Eligible Entities.--Grants under the program under this section 
may be made only to a State, an Indian Tribe, a unit of general local 
government, or a nonprofit organization.
(c) Eligible Activities.--Amounts from a grant under the program 
under this section may be used only to establish new, or assist 
existing, community resilience centers, including for--
(1) acquisition or improvement of facilities to serve as 
community resilience centers;
(2) acquisition or repair of cooling equipment, heating 
equipment, and generators for a community resilience center;
(3) obtaining supplies of food, water, medical supplies, 
and emergency supplies for users of a community resilience 
center;
(4) operating costs associated with a community resilience 
center, including hiring staff for a center;
(5) obtaining educational material on climate change 
resilience and other related educational material; and
(6) such other costs and activities relating to community 
resilience centers as the Secretary may provide.
(d) Application.--The Secretary shall provide for eligible entities 
to apply for grants under the program under this section and shall 
require applications to include an outreach plan to inform the 
community of the center.
(e) Selection.--
(1) In general.--The Secretary shall select eligible 
entities to receive grants under the program under this section 
based on a competition, in accordance with such criteria as the 
Secretary shall establish.
(2) Preference.--The criteria under paragraph (1) shall 
provide preference for selection of eligible entities proposing 
to upgrade or improve existing spaces that are easily 
accessible to the community for use as community resilience 
centers.
(f) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized to be 
appropriated to carry out this section $50,000,000 for each of fiscal 
years 2026 through 2035.

SEC. 202. GRANTS FOR COMMUNITY RESILIENCE AND COOLING CENTERS TO 
PURCHASE OR REPAIR HVAC SYSTEMS AND PASSIVE COOLING 
SYSTEMS.

(a) Authority.--The Secretary of Housing and Urban Development 
shall carry out a program under this section to make grants to eligible 
entities for the costs of acquiring, for a community resilience center 
or a cooling center--
(1) new heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems, 
including backup power, generators, and microgrids; and
(2) passive cooling solutions.
(b) Application.--The Secretary shall provide for eligible entities 
to apply for grants under the program under this section and shall 
require applications to include a statement identifying the number of 
people to be served through the grant.
(c) Selection.--
(1) In general.--The Secretary shall select eligible 
entities to receive grants under the program under this section 
based on a competition, in accordance with such criteria as the 
Secretary shall establish.
(2) Preference.--The criteria under paragraph (1) shall 
provide preference for selection of eligible entities proposing 
to use the grant for costs described in subsection (a) for a 
community resilience center or cooling center.
(d) Definitions.--In this section:
(1) The term ``eligible entity'' means a State, an Indian 
Tribe, a unit of general local government, or a nonprofit 
organization.
(2) The term ``passive cooling solutions'' includes--
(A) cool or green roofs;
(B) cool walls;
(C) tree planting and maintenance; and
(D) cool pavements.
(3) The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary of Housing 
and Urban Development.
(e) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized to be 
appropriated to carry out this section $25,000,000 for each of fiscal 
years 2026 through 2035.

SEC. 203. GRANTS FOR OUTREACH AND PUBLICITY REGARDING COMMUNITY 
RESILIENCE AND COOLING CENTERS.

(a) Authority.--The Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (in 
this section referred to as the ``Secretary'') shall carry out a 
program under this section to make grants to States, units of general 
local government, and Indian Tribes for use to carry out outreach, 
publicity, and education activities to inform the public regarding the 
location, function, and availability of community resilience centers 
and cooling centers, including for--
(1) collection of data regarding the locations of community 
resilience centers and cooling centers; and
(2) development of platforms, websites, applications, and 
other tools and methods of communication to assist the public 
in locating such centers.
(b) Selection.--The Secretary shall select eligible entities to 
receive grants under the program under this section based on a 
competition, in accordance with such criteria as the Secretary shall 
establish.
(c) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized to be 
appropriated to carry out this section $10,000,000 for each of fiscal 
years 2026 through 2035.

SEC. 204. PAYROLL CREDIT FOR COOLING CENTERS.

(a) In General.--Section 3111 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 
is amended by adding at the end the following new subsection:
``(g) Credit for Cooling Centers.--
``(1) In general.--In the case of an eligible employer, 
there shall be allowed as a credit against the tax imposed by 
subsection (a) for each calendar quarter an amount equal to the 
sum of the amounts determined under subparagraphs (A) and (B) 
of paragraph (2).
``(2) Amount of credit.--
``(A) Extended hours.--The amount determined under 
this subparagraph is--
``(i) the hourly cost of labor of the 
taxpayer, multiplied by
``(ii) the number of hours such taxpayer 
remained open to the public outside of normal 
operating hours during a heat emergency during 
the calendar quarter.
``(B) Free admission days.--The amount determined 
under this subparagraph is--
``(i) the average daily admission revenue 
of the taxpayer, multiplied by
``(ii) the number of days during the 
calendar quarter that such taxpayer waived 
admission fees during a heat emergency.
``(C) Heat emergency.--For the purposes of this 
subsection, the term `heat emergency' means an extreme 
heat warning, extreme heat watch, or heat advisory 
issued by the National Weather Service.
``(3) Limitation.--The credit allowed by paragraph (1) 
shall not exceed the tax imposed by subsection (a) for any 
calendar quarter on the wages paid with respect to the 
employment of all individuals in the employ of the employer.
``(4) Carryover of unused credit.--If the amount of the 
credit allowed under paragraph (1) exceeds the limitation of 
paragraph (3) for any calendar quarter, such excess shall be 
carried to the succeeding calendar quarter and allowed as a 
credit under paragraph (1) for such quarter.
``(5) Eligible employer.--For the purposes of this section, 
the term `eligible employer' means a community center, library, 
or museum that is described in section 501(c)(3) and exempt 
from taxation under section 501(a).
``(6) Aggregation rule.--All persons treated as a single 
employer under subsection (a) or (b) of section 52, or 
subsection (m) or (o) of section 414, shall be treated as one 
employer for purposes of this section.
``(7) Election not to have section apply.--This section 
shall not apply with respect to any employer for any calendar 
quarter if such employer elects (at such time and in such 
manner as the Secretary may prescribe) not to have this section 
apply.
``(8) Regulations.--The Secretary shall issue such 
regulations or other guidance as may be necessary or 
appropriate to carry out the purposes of this section.''.
(b) Effective Date.--The amendment made by this section shall apply 
to amounts paid or incurred after the date of the enactment of this 
Act.
(c) Transfers to Federal Old-Age and Survivors Insurance Trust 
Fund.--There are hereby appropriated to the Federal Old-Age and 
Survivors Insurance Trust Fund and the Federal Disability Insurance 
Trust Fund established under section 201 of the Social Security Act (42 
U.S.C. 401) amounts equal to the reduction in revenues to the Treasury 
by reason of the enactment of section 3111(g) of the Internal Revenue 
Code of 1986, as added by this section (without regard to this 
subsection). Amounts appropriated by the preceding sentence shall be 
transferred from the general fund at such times and in such manner as 
to replicate to the extent possible the transfers which would have 
occurred to such Trust Fund or Account had this section not been 
enacted.

TITLE III--HOUSING

SEC. 301. GRANTS FOR PROVIDING COOLING SYSTEMS IN PUBLIC HOUSING UNITS.

(a) Authority.--The Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (in 
this section referred to as the ``Secretary'') shall carry out a 
program under this section to make grants to public housing agencies 
for the installation of air conditioners or heat pumps for public 
housing dwelling units.
(b) Eligible Activities.--Amounts from a grant under the program 
under this section may be used only for costs of acquiring and 
installing air conditioners or heat pumps that meet such standards as 
the Secretary shall establish regarding cooling capacity, safety, 
reliability, and energy efficiency and that serve public housing 
dwelling units that were constructed before the date of the enactment 
of this Act.
(c) Application.--The Secretary shall provide for public housing 
agencies to apply for grants under the program under this section.
(d) Selection.--
(1) In general.--The Secretary shall select public housing 
agencies to receive grants under the program under this section 
based on a competition, in accordance with such criteria as the 
Secretary shall establish.
(2) Preference.--The criteria under paragraph (1) shall 
provide preference for selection of public housing agencies 
proposing to use the grant to serve communities with limited 
access to cooling centers.
(e) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized to be 
appropriated to carry out this section $25,000,000 for each of fiscal 
years 2026 through 2035.

SEC. 302. GUIDANCE ON AIR CONDITIONING COSTS AND UTILITY ALLOWANCES.

The Secretary of Housing and Urban Development shall revise the 
regulations under subpart E of part 965 of volume 24, Code of Federal 
Regulations (relating to resident allowances for utilities), to ensure 
that air conditioning costs are included when calculating utility 
allowance schedules and utility allowances for residents.

SEC. 303. REPORT TO CONGRESS ON NEED FOR SAFE RESIDENTIAL TEMPERATURES; 
REGULATIONS.

(a) Report.--Not later than 3 years after the date of the enactment 
of this Act, the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (in this 
section referred to as the ``Secretary''), in consultation with the 
National Integrated Heat Health Information System, shall submit to the 
Congress a report--
(1) identifying and compiling data on the availability of 
air conditioning in covered federally assisted rental dwelling 
units (as such term is defined in section 304);
(2) identifying and setting forth safe residential 
temperature standards for such dwelling units;
(3) estimating the cost for bringing all covered federally 
assisted rental dwelling units into compliance with such safe 
residential temperature standards; and
(4) setting forth a plan and mechanisms for bringing all 
covered federally assisted rental dwelling units into 
compliance with the safe residential temperature standards.
(b) Safe Residential Temperature Standards.--Not later than 2 years 
after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall issue 
regulations establishing safe residential temperature standards for 
covered federally assisted rental dwelling units based on the safe 
temperature standards identified in the report under subsection (a).

SEC. 304. GRANTS FOR PROVIDING SAFE RESIDENTIAL TEMPERATURES IN ALL 
FEDERALLY ASSISTED DWELLINGS.

(a) Authority.--The Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (in 
this section referred to as the ``Secretary''), in consultation with 
the NIHHIS, shall carry out a program under this section to make grants 
to public housing agencies and owners of covered federally assisted 
rental dwelling units to enable covered federally assisted rental 
dwelling units to comply with the safe residential temperature 
standards established pursuant to section 303(b).
(b) Eligible Activities.--Amounts from a grant under the program 
under this section may be used only for costs of acquiring and 
installing air conditioning or other means or mechanisms that meet such 
standards as the Secretary shall establish regarding cooling capacity, 
safety, reliability, and energy efficiency, for covered federally 
assisted rental dwelling units that were constructed before the date of 
the enactment of this Act, to enable such dwelling units to comply with 
the safe residential temperature standards established pursuant to 
section 303(b) in a manner provided for in the plan set forth in the 
report under section 303(a).
(c) Applications.--The Secretary shall provide for public housing 
agencies and owners of covered federally assisted rental dwelling units 
to apply for grants under the program under this section.
(d) Selection.--
(1) In general.--The Secretary shall select applicant 
public housing agencies and owners of covered federally 
assisted rental dwelling units to receive grants under the 
program under this section based on a competition, in 
accordance with such criteria as the Secretary shall establish.
(2) Preference.--The criteria under paragraph (1) shall 
provide preference for selection of applicants proposing to use 
the grant for covered federally assisted rental dwelling units 
located in communities with limited access to cooling centers.
(e) Owner Defined.--For the purposes of this section the term 
``owner'' means, with respect to a covered federally assisted rental 
dwelling unit, any private person or entity, including a cooperative, 
an agency of the Federal Government, or a public housing agency, having 
the legal right to lease or sublease dwelling units.
(f) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized to be 
appropriated to carry out this section such sums as may be necessary 
for assistance under this section sufficient for all covered federally 
assisted rental dwelling units to meet the safe residential temperature 
standards established pursuant to section 6(b).

SEC. 305. COOLING DEVICE EXPENSES.

(a) In General.--Section 223(d)(2)(A) of the Internal Revenue Code 
of 1986 is amended by inserting ``, box fans, or portable or window air 
conditioning units'' before ``shall be treated as paid for medical 
care''.
(b) Effective Date.--The amendment made by this section shall apply 
to amounts paid or incurred in taxable years beginning after the date 
of the enactment of this Act.

SEC. 306. REPORT ON REVISING STATE ALLOTMENT PAYMENTS UNDER THE LOW-
INCOME HOME ENERGY ASSISTANCE ACT.

The Secretary of Human and Health Services, in consultation with 
the Secretary of Energy, shall submit to Congress a report on how the 
formula to allot amounts to States under section 2604 of the Low-Income 
Home Energy Assistance Act of 1981 (42 U.S.C. 8623) could be revised to 
account for the energy needs of all low-income households in States, 
including low-income households that do not use, or under-use, a source 
of heating or cooling.

TITLE IV--URBAN DEVELOPMENT

SEC. 401. GRANTS FOR CONSTRUCTION OF USABLE PUBLIC WATER FEATURES.

(a) Authority.--The Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (in 
this section referred to as the ``Secretary'') shall carry out a 
program under this section to make grants to eligible entities for the 
construction of eligible water features.
(b) Eligible Entities.--Grants under the program under this section 
may be made only to a State, an Indian Tribe, a unit of general local 
government, or a nonprofit organization.
(c) Eligible Water Features.--Amounts from a grant under the 
program under this section may be used only for costs of constructing 
water features that--
(1) provide recreation or cooling for users, such as splash 
parks, wading pools, swimming pools, misting systems, and 
fountains;
(2) can be used to provide relief to users from extreme 
heat conditions; and
(3) are available for use by anyone without charge.
(d) Applications.--The Secretary shall provide for eligible 
entities to apply for grants under the program under this section and 
shall require eligible entities to include in an application for a 
grant under this section a public participation plan to ensure that 
residents of the area in which a project is to be implemented are 
involved in the project, which plan--
(1) shall provide opportunities for employment for 
minorities and low- and moderate-income residents in the 
neighborhood of the project; and
(2) may--
(A) provide opportunities for local nonprofit 
organizations to be involved in the project;
(B) provide opportunities for public input 
regarding the project; and
(C) include demonstrated support from the 
community.
(e) Selection.--
(1) In general.--The Secretary shall select applicant 
eligible entities to receive grants under the program under 
this section based on a competition, in accordance with such 
criteria as the Secretary shall establish.
(2) Preference.--The criteria under paragraph (1) shall 
provide preference for selection of eligible entities proposing 
to construct eligible water features in areas without access, 
or with limited access, to cooling centers.
(f) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized to be 
appropriated to carry out this section $50,000,000 for each of fiscal 
years 2026 through 2035.

SEC. 402. GRANT PROGRAM TO DEVELOP AND IMPROVE HIGH-QUALITY URBAN GREEN 
SPACES.

(a) Establishment.--The Secretary of Housing and Urban Development 
(in this section referred to as the ``Secretary''), in coordination 
with the Director of the National Park Service, shall establish a grant 
program under which the Secretary shall award grants to eligible 
entities under subsection (c) to improve or develop high-quality urban 
green spaces to lower surface temperatures through increased urban 
vegetation.
(b) Use of Amounts.--An eligible entity that receives a grant under 
subsection (a) shall use amounts provided to cover costs associated 
with--
(1) projects and activities that provide environmental and 
cooling benefits, including--
(A) planting vegetation, including maintaining and 
monitoring planted vegetation for a period of up to 5 
years to ensure successful establishment;
(B) improving stormwater management;
(C) increasing green infrastructure;
(D) employing water conservation measures; and
(E) rebuilding, remodeling, expanding, integrating, 
developing existing, or building new green spaces, 
including improvements in park landscapes, 
infrastructure, buildings, and support facilities;
(2) preparing the project site and conducting construction, 
including the costs of labor and costs associated with use of 
machinery;
(3) training activities associated with the construction; 
and
(4) other relevant costs, as determined by the Secretary.
(c) Eligible Entities.--A grant under this section may only be made 
to--
(1) a State;
(2) an Indian Tribe;
(3) a unit of general local government; and
(4) a nonprofit organization.
(d) Applications.--
(1) In general.--An eligible entity that seeks to receive a 
grant under subsection (a) shall submit an application to the 
Secretary at such time, in such form, and containing such 
information as the Secretary may require.
(2) Contents.--An application submitted under paragraph (1) 
shall--
(A) describe how the projects and activities to be 
funded with grant amounts will comply with the 
requirement under subsection (b); and
(B) include a 5-year timeline and budget for the 
development and improvement of urban green space.
(3) Community involvement.--The Secretary shall require 
eligible entities to include in an application for a grant 
under this section a public participation plan to ensure that 
residents of the area in which a project is to be implemented 
are involved in the project, which plan--
(A) shall provide opportunities for employment for 
minorities and low- and moderate-income residents in 
the neighborhood of the project; and
(B) may--
(i) provide opportunities for local 
nonprofit organizations to be involved in the 
project;
(ii) provide opportunities for public input 
regarding the project; and
(iii) include demonstrated support from the 
community.
(e) Priority.--In awarding grants under the program under 
subsection (a), the Secretary shall give priority in selection to 
eligible entities based on--
(1) the extent to which the eligible entity will contribute 
matching funds for activities conducted with amounts from a 
grant under this section; and
(2) based on the extent to which the project funded with 
grant amounts would--
(A) address demonstrated deficiencies in the 
condition of, and access to, projects and activities 
described in subsection (b) in the project 
neighborhood;
(B) build green spaces located within half of a 
mile of public housing, or covered federally assisted 
rental dwelling units, that are not within half of a 
mile of any green space;
(C) use environmentally beneficial components, such 
as sustainable landscape features, upcycled and 
recycled materials, and materials with a low-carbon 
footprint; and
(D) where applicable, contain safe trails or 
routes, such as bikeways, and sidewalks, that connect 
to neighborhoods and enhance access to green spaces.
(f) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized to be 
appropriated to carry out the Program $100,000,000 for each of fiscal 
years 2026 through 2035.

SEC. 403. TREE PLANTING GRANT PROGRAM.

(a) Establishment.--The Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, 
in coordination with the Secretary of Agriculture, acting through the 
Chief of the Forest Service, shall establish a grant program under 
which the Secretary shall award grants to eligible entities to plant 
qualifying trees for the purpose of mitigating and reducing high-
surface temperatures and cooling the surrounding area.
(b) Applications.--
(1) In general.--An eligible entity that seeks to receive a 
grant under subsection (a) shall submit an application to the 
Secretary at such time, in such form, and containing such 
information as the Secretary may require.
(2) Contents.--An application submitted under paragraph (1) 
shall include a 5-year timeline and budget for the planting and 
maintenance associated with qualifying trees.
(3) Community involvement.--The Secretary shall require 
eligible entities to include in an application for a grant 
under this section a public participation plan to ensure that 
residents of the area in which a project is to be implemented 
are involved in decision-making about the project and such 
public participation plan may include--
(A) opportunities for local nonprofit organizations 
to be involved;
(B) opportunities for public input; and
(C) demonstrated support from the community.
(c) Priority.--In awarding grants under the program under 
subsection (a), the Secretary shall give priority to applicants 
proposing to utilize tree species that are proven to be more resilient 
to climate change and extreme weather events common in the area in 
which a project is to be implemented.
(d) Use of Amounts.--An eligible entity that receives a grant under 
subsection (a) shall use amounts provided through the grant to cover 
costs associated with--
(1) implementing the tree planting project, including--
(A) planning and designing the planting activity;
(B) purchasing qualifying trees; and
(C) preparing the site and conducting planting, 
including the labor and cost associated with the use of 
machinery;
(2) maintaining and monitoring planted trees for a period 
of up to 5 years to ensure successful establishment of the 
qualifying trees;
(3) training activities associated with the project; and
(4) other relevant costs, as determined by the Secretary.
(e) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be 
appropriated to carry out the Program $50,000,000 for each of fiscal 
years 2024 through 2034.
(f) Definitions.--In this section:
(1) Eligible entity.--The term ``eligible entity'' means--
(A) a State, Territory, or Tribal agency;
(B) a local governmental entity;
(C) an Indian Tribe; or
(D) a nonprofit organization.
(2) Limited english proficiency household.--The term 
``limited English proficiency household'' means that a 
household does not have an adult that speaks English ``very 
well'' as determined by the United States Census Bureau.
(3) Local governmental entity.--The term ``local 
governmental entity'' means any municipal government or county 
government with jurisdiction over local land use decisions.
(4) Qualifying tree.--The term ``qualifying tree'' means a 
tree that--
(A) is a species that is not an invasive species in 
the eligible area in which such tree is to be planted; 
and
(B) is not a species that is, in the eligible area 
at the time of planting, being attacked by an invasive 
species, unless the eligible entity has a plan to limit 
the risk of death of the tree to be planted.
(5) Secretary.--In this section, the term ``Secretary'' 
means the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development.

TITLE V--DEFINITIONS

SEC. 501. DEFINITIONS.

In this Act:
(1) Community resilience center.--The term ``community 
resilience center'' means a facility that--
(A) is operated by a State, an Indian Tribe, a unit 
of general local government, or a nonprofit 
organization;
(B) provides a safe, air-conditioned environment 
meeting such standards as the Secretary of Health and 
Human Services shall establish for residents of the 
community in which the facility is located to take 
refuge during extreme heat events;
(C) provides a safe, heated environment meeting 
such standards as the Secretary of Health and Human 
Services shall establish for residents of the community 
in which the facility is located to take refuge during 
extreme cold events;
(D) is available for such use by anyone without 
charge; and
(E) conducts outreach activities to strengthen the 
relationship with the community in which the facility 
is located.
(2) Cooling center.--The term ``cooling center'' shall have 
such meaning as the Administrator of the National Oceanic and 
Atmospheric Administration may give to such term for purposes 
of this Act.
(3) Covered federally assisted rental dwelling unit.--The 
term ``covered federally assisted rental dwelling unit'' means 
a residential dwelling unit that is made available for rental 
and for which assistance is provided, or that is part of a 
housing project for which assistance is provided, under--
(A) the public housing program under the United 
States Housing Act of 1937 (42 U.S.C. 1437 et seq.);
(B) a program for rental assistance under section 8 
of the United States Housing Act of 1937 (42 U.S.C. 
1437f), including--
(i) the program for project-based rental 
assistance; and
(ii) the program for tenant-based rental 
assistance;
(C) the AIDS Housing Opportunities program under 
subtitle D of title VIII of the Cranston-Gonzalez 
National Affordable Housing Act (42 U.S.C. 12901 et 
seq.);
(D) the program for supportive housing for the 
elderly under section 202 of the Housing Act of 1959 
(12 U.S.C. 1701q);
(E) the program for supportive housing for persons 
with disabilities under section 811 of the Cranston-
Gonzalez National Affordable Housing Act (42 U.S.C. 
8013); or
(F) a housing program under section 515, 514, 521, 
or 542 of title V of the Housing Act of 1949 (42 U.S.C. 
1471 et seq.).
(4) Indian tribe.--The term ``Indian Tribe'' has the 
meaning given such term in section 4 of the Indian Self-
Determination and Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 5304).
(5) Nonprofit organization.--The term ``nonprofit 
organization'' means an organization that--
(A) is described in section 170(h)(3) of the 
Internal Revenue Code of 1986; and
(B) operates in accordance with one or more of the 
purposes described in section 170(h)(4)(A) of that 
Code.
(6) Public housing agency.--The term ``public housing 
agency'' has the meaning given such term in section 3(b) of the 
United States Housing Act of 1937 (42 U.S.C. 1437a(b)).
(7) State.--The term ``State'' has the meaning given such 
term in section 102(a) of the Housing and Community Development 
Act of 1974 (42 U.S.C. 5302(a)).
(8) Unit of general local government.--The term ``unit of 
general local government'' has the meaning given such term in 
section 102(a) of the Housing and Community Development Act of 
1974 (42 U.S.C. 5302(a)).
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