Stay Cool Act
This bill addresses risks associated with extreme heat, including through grants and activities that support (1) public preparedness and response to heat emergencies, (2) community-based interventions (e.g., cooling centers), (3) air conditioning and other cooling mechanisms in federally assisted housing, and (4) urban green spaces and vegetation.
[Congressional Bills 117th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 7949 Introduced in House (IH)]
<DOC>
117th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. R. 7949
To improve response to, and preparation for, heat waves and extreme
heat, and for other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
June 3, 2022
Mrs. Watson Coleman (for herself, Mr. Blumenauer, Ms. Blunt Rochester,
Mr. Cardenas, Mr. DeFazio, Ms. Matsui, Mr. San Nicolas, Ms. Tlaib, Ms.
Norton, Ms. Titus, Mr. Evans, Mrs. Carolyn B. Maloney of New York, Mr.
Payne, Ms. Schakowsky, Ms. Clarke of New York, and Ms. Lee of
California) 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 Labor, 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 ranking system for extreme heat.
Sec. 102. Study on naming heat waves.
Sec. 103. Grants for checking on seniors during extreme heat events.
Sec. 104. 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. Box fan expenses reimbursable through health saving accounts.
Sec. 306. Study on air conditioning recycling and rebate program.
Sec. 307. 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 RANKING SYSTEM FOR EXTREME HEAT.
Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act,
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). 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. 102. 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 submit to Congress a
report containing the results of a study on the impact that naming heat
waves has on public preparedness and response.
SEC. 103. GRANTS FOR CHECKING ON SENIORS DURING EXTREME HEAT EVENTS.
(a) In General.--The Secretary of Health and Human Services may
award grants to eligible entities to develop and implement a program
under which each grant recipient--
(1) operates a registry of seniors 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 this section, the Secretary
shall give priority to--
(1) eligible entities described in subparagraph (A), (B),
or (C) of subsection (c) whose jurisdictions include one or
more overburdened communities; and
(2) eligible entities described in subparagraph (D) of
subsection (c) whose target populations for outreach and
services include the residents of one or more overburdened
communities.
(c) Definitions.--In this section:
(1) The term ``eligible entity'' means--
(A) a State, Territory, or Tribal agency;
(B) a local governmental entity;
(C) an Indian Tribe; and
(D) a nonprofit organization, community group,
clinic, or other entity engaged in providing outreach
and services to seniors.
(2) The term ``Indian Tribe'' has the meaning given to that
term in section 4 of the Indian Self-Determination and
Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 5304).
(3) The term ``local governmental entity'' means any
municipal government or county government with jurisdiction
over local land use decisions.
(4) The term ``overburdened community'' means, as
determined by the Secretary, an area where--
(A) 35 percent or more of households qualify as
low-income households;
(B) 40 percent or more of residents identify as a
minority or as members of a State-recognized Tribal
community; or
(C) 40 percent or more of households are limited
English proficiency households.
(5) The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary of Health
and Human Services.
(6) 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 2022 through 2030.
SEC. 104. 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 relevant White
House Interagency Working Group on Extreme Heat, shall--
(1) conduct a study on the impact of meteorological
conditions 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 the
establishment and assistance of community resilience centers in
overburdened communities.
(b) Eligible Entities.--Grants under the program under this section
may be made only to a State, Indian tribe, unit of general local
government, or 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 a community engagement plan for
decision making relating to a community resilience center and an
outreach plan to inform the community of the center.
(e) Selection.--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, which shall provide preference for selection for
grants for--
(1) eligible entities that will use grant amounts for
community resilience centers located in overburdened
communities;
(2) eligible entities that will ensure that educational
activities relating to developing community resilience to
extreme weather events will be carried out in connection with
the community resilience center or centers assisted; and
(3) eligible entities that will 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 for grants under the program under this section
$50,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2023 through 2033.
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 (in
this section referred to as the ``Secretary'') shall carry out a
program under this section to make grants to community resilience
centers and cooling centers for the costs of acquiring new heating,
ventilation, and air conditioning systems and passive cooling solutions
for such facilities.
(b) Eligible HVAC Systems.--Amounts from a grant under the program
under this section may be used to acquire only heating, ventilation,
and air conditioning systems meeting such standards as the Secretary
shall establish in consultation with the Secretary of Energy.
(c) Eligible Passive Cooling Solutions.--Amounts from a grant under
the program under this section may be used to acquire passive cooling
solutions, which may include--
(1) cool or green roofs;
(2) cool walls;
(3) tree planting and maintenance; and
(4) cool pavements.
(d) Application.--The Secretary shall provide for community
resilience centers and cooling centers to apply for grants under the
program under this section and shall require applications to include a
statement identifying the number of people served by the community
resilience center or cooling center.
(e) Selection.--The Secretary shall provide for community
resilience centers and cooling centers to apply for grants under the
program under this section and shall select applicants to receive
grants under the program under this section based on a competition, in
accordance with such criteria as the Secretary shall establish, which
shall provide preference for selection for grants for community
resilience centers and cooling centers located in overburdened
communities.
(f) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized to be
appropriated for grants under the program under this section
$25,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2023 through 2033.
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 and units of
general local government for use to carry out outreach, publicity, and
education activities to inform the public regarding the location,
function, and availability of cooling centers and community resilience
centers, including for--
(1) collection of data regarding locations of cooling
centers and community resilience centers; and
(2) development of platforms, websites, applications, and
other tools and methods of communication to assist the public
in locating such centers.
(b) Application; Selection.--The Secretary shall provide for
eligible entities to apply for grants under the program under this
section and 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.
(c) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized to be
appropriated for grants under the program under this section
$10,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2023 through 2033.
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 paragraph is the hourly cost of labor of the
taxpayer multiplied by 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 paragraph is the average daily admission
revenue of the taxpayer multiplied by 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
excessive heat warning, excessive 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.
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 serves 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.--The Secretary shall select applicant agencies to
receive grants under the program under this section based on a
competition, in accordance with such criteria as the Secretary shall
establish, which shall provide preference for selection for grants
for--
(1) public housing agencies that serve communities with
limited access to cooling centers; and
(2) public housing agencies located in areas prone to heat
emergencies.
(e) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized to be
appropriated for grants under the program under this section
$25,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2023 through 2026.
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 coordination with the
Secretary of Agriculture and in consultation with the relevant White
House Interagency Working Group on Extreme Heat, 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); and
(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 standards.
(b) Safe Residential Temperature Standards.--Not later than 2 years
after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Housing
and Urban Development, in consultation with the Secretary of
Agriculture, 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) pursuant to subsection (a)(2).
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 coordination with
the Secretary of Agriculture and in consultation with the relevant
White House Interagency Working Group on Extreme Heat, 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 in public housing and
established pursuant to section 303(b).
(b) Eligible Activities.--Amounts from a grant 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
6(a) pursuant to subsection 6(a)(4).
(c) Applications.--The Secretaries referred to in subsection (a)
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.--The Secretaries referred to in subsection (a) 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 Secretaries shall establish, which shall provide
preference for selection for grants for--
(1) covered federally assisted rental dwelling units
located in communities with limited access to cooling centers;
and
(2) covered federally assisted rental dwelling units
located in areas prone to heat emergencies.
(e) Definitions.--For the purposes of this Act:
(1) 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.).
(2) Owner.--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 for grants under the program under 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. BOX FAN EXPENSES REIMBURSABLE THROUGH HEALTH SAVING ACCOUNTS.
(a) In General.--Section 223(d)(2) of the Internal Revenue Code of
1986 is amended by inserting ``or box fans'' 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. STUDY ON AIR CONDITIONING RECYCLING AND REBATE PROGRAM.
(a) In General.--Not later than 180 days after the date of
enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Energy shall submit to Congress
a report containing the results of a study on the feasibility of a
nationwide air conditioner recycling and rebate program for more energy
efficient home cooling systems.
(b) Inclusions.--The report submitted under subsection (a) shall
include--
(1) an analysis of the ability of a program described in
such subsection to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and to
promote energy savings and efficiency;
(2) recommendations on how to promote access to such a
program for low-income households, persons with disabilities,
senior citizens, and residents of rural areas; and
(3) an analysis of the potential economic impacts of
providing rebates under such a program for the purchase of
Energy Star certified or more energy efficient home cooling
systems for low-income households, persons with disabilities,
senior citizens, and residents of rural areas.
SEC. 307. 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 in overburdened communities.
(b) Eligible Entities.--Grants under the program under this section
may be made only to a State, Indian tribe, unit of general local
government, or 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.--
(1) In general.--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 estimated number of people to be served by the
feature.
(2) Community involvement.--The Secretary shall require
eligible entities to develop 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, low- and moderate-income residents in the
neighborhood of the project;
(B) shall involve residents of the area in decision
making regarding the project; and
(C) may--
(i) provide opportunities for local
nonprofits to be involved in the project;
(ii) provide opportunities for public input
regarding the project; and
(iii) include demonstrated support from the
community.
(e) Selection.--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, which shall provide preference for selection for
grants for eligible entities that will 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 for grants under the program under this section
$50,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2023 through 2033.
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 located in overburdened communities to lower surface
temperatures through increased urban vegetation.
(b) Use.--Projects and activities funded with grant amounts under
this section shall provide environmental and cooling benefits to
overburdened communities, including through planting trees, increasing
the urban forestry canopy, improving stormwater management, increasing
green infrastructure, employing water conservation measures, and adding
green spaces.
(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 develop 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, low- and moderate-income residents in the
neighborhood of the project;
(B) shall involve residents of the area in decision
making regarding the project; and
(C) may--
(i) provide opportunities for local
nonprofits to be involved in the project;
(ii) provide opportunities for public input
regarding the project; and
(iii) include demonstrated support from the
community.
(e) Selection.--
(1) In general.--The Secretary shall determine which
eligible entities shall receive a grant under this section.
(2) Priority.--In awarding grants under subsection (a), the
Secretary shall give priority in selection for grants to
eligible entities based on--
(A) the extent to which the eligible entity will
contribute matching funds for activities conducted with
amounts from a grant under this section; and
(B) based on the extent to which the project funded
with grant amounts would--
(i) address demonstrated deficiencies in
the condition of and access to cooling green
space in the project neighborhood;
(ii) build green spaces located within half
of a mile of a public housing that is not
within half of a mile of any green space;
(iii) work collaboratively with local
governments, colleges, universities, and other
institutions to study urban heat island effects
and benefits of cooling green spaces;
(iv) use environmentally beneficial
components, such as sustainable landscape
features, upcycled and recycled materials, and
materials with low carbon footprint;
(v) contain safe trails or routes, such as
trails, bikeways, and sidewalks, that connect
to neighborhoods and enhance access to green
spaces.
(f) Use of Amounts.--An eligible entity that receives a grant under
subsection (a) shall use amounts provided to cover costs associated
with--
(1) rebuilding, remodeling, expanding, integrating, or
developing existing or building new green spaces, including
improvements in park landscapes, infrastructure, buildings, and
support facilities;
(2) planting vegetation in project areas, including
maintaining and monitoring planted vegetation for a period of
up to 5 years to ensure successful establishment;
(3) preparing the project site and conducting construction,
including the costs of labor and costs associated with use of
machinery;
(4) training activities associated with the construction;
and
(5) other relevant costs, as determined by the Secretary.
(g) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be
appropriated to carry out the Program $100,000,000 for each of fiscal
years 2023 through 2033.
SEC. 403. TREE PLANTING GRANT PROGRAM.
(a) Establishment.--The Secretary of Housing and Urban Development
(in this section referred to as the ``Secretary''), 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 in overburdened communities 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 any qualifying trees awarded.
(3) Community involvement.--The Secretary shall require
eligible entities to develop 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 nonprofits to be
involved;
(B) opportunities for public input; and
(C) demonstrated support from the community.
(c) Selection.--
(1) In general.--The Secretary shall determine which
eligible entities shall receive a grant under this section.
(2) Priority.--When awarding grants under subsection (a),
the Secretary shall give priority--
(A) to eligible entities that, as determined by the
Secretary, have or are likely to develop a housing
policy plan designed to avoid the displacement of
current residents, including a plan for new housing
development or a plan for increasing property value in
the overburdened community; and
(B) applications that 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 to cover costs associated
with--
(1) implementing the tree planting project in an
overburdened community, 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 2022 through 2032.
(f) Definitions.--In this section:
(1) Eligible entity.--The term ``eligible entity'' means--
(A) a State, Territory, or Tribal agency;
(B) a local government entity;
(C) an Indian Tribe; and
(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.
TITLE V--DEFINITIONS
SEC. 501. DEFINITIONS.
Except as specifically defined otherwise in this Act, for purposes
of this Act the following definitions shall apply:
(1) Community resilience center.--The term ``community
resilience center'' means a facility that--
(A) is operated by a State, Indian tribe, unit of
general local government, or nonprofit organization;
(B) provides a safe, air-conditioned environment
meeting such standards as the Secretary shall establish
for residents of the community in which it is located
to take refuge during extreme heat events;
(C) provides a safe, heated environment meeting
such standards as the Secretary shall establish for
residents of the community in which it 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 it is located.
(2) 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).
(3) 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.
(4) Overburdened community.--The term ``overburdened
community'' means, as determined by the Secretary, an area
where--
(A) 35 percent or more of households qualify as
low-income households;
(B) 40 percent or more of residents identify as a
minority or as members of a State-recognized tribal
community; or
(C) 40 percent or more of households are limited
English proficiency households.
(5) 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)).
(6) 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)).
(7) 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)).
<all>
Introduced in House
Introduced in House
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 Labor, 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.
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 Labor, 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.
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 Labor, 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.
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 Labor, 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.
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 Labor, 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.
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