Heating and Cooling Relief Act
Sponsored By: Representative Ansari, Yassamin [D-AZ-3]
Introduced
Summary
Limit household energy bills to 3% of income. This bill would rename and expand the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program into a year-round Home Energy Assistance Program that increases funding and targets reductions in household energy burdens.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
6 provisions identified: 6 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Cap energy bills at 3% of income
If enacted, the government would work with States to try to keep eligible households’ home energy costs at or below 3% of income. This is a target, to be done as practicable, using program funds and State efforts. Households with the lowest incomes would be prioritized for deeper savings.
More funding to run help year-round
If enacted, the program would be funded with “such sums as may be necessary” so States can help all eligible households. It would set $2 billion for 2026 and $2 billion plus more as needed each year after. States would raise the planning share from 10% to 15% and use amounts above 10% to run the program year-round.
More home upgrades and electrification help
If enacted, more money would go to weatherization and repairs. At least 25% would go to weatherization, and another portion would be set at 35% or more. States would try to replace fossil-fuel systems with efficient electric heating and cooling and use materials free of asthma-triggering chemicals. A new Just Transition Grants program would fund 3-year State and local plans to cut high energy use in low-income homes, with $1 billion in 2026 and $1 billion plus more each year after.
More households qualify and get disaster help
If enacted, more households would qualify for energy help. You would be eligible if your income is at or below the greater of 250% of the poverty level or 80% of your State’s median income. States could not deny help because a household member is not a citizen, and this aid would not count as a Federal public benefit under PRWORA. When a disaster or emergency is declared, eligible households could get heating or cooling help, use funds for efficient air conditioners, get both heating and cooling in the same year, and not need a medical note. The bill also defines extreme heat and extreme cold, which would guide when this emergency help applies.
Stronger protections from energy suppliers
If enacted, suppliers that get program funds would have new duties. Within 2 years, they would offer a low-income payment program with the State and include program info in late notices. They could not charge late fees from 6 months before to 6 months after aid is received and must refund any such fees within 7 days. They could not shut off service for 2 years after a household gets help. Within 1 year, federal guidance would bar suppliers from raising rates to recover arrears covered by the program.
Easier applications and better program access
If enacted, States would need to allow online applications within 5 years, autoenroll eligible households, and expand outreach and training. Program coordinators paid with program funds would earn at least $15 an hour or the higher local minimum wage. The government would create a standard way to track households behind on bills and could fund States to build these systems, including data on disconnections and fees.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Ansari, Yassamin [D-AZ-3]
AZ • D
Cosponsors
Barragan
CA • D
Sponsored 3/31/2025
Rep. Bell, Wesley [D-MO-1]
MO • D
Sponsored 3/31/2025
Carson
IN • D
Sponsored 3/31/2025
Rep. Carter, Troy A. [D-LA-2]
LA • D
Sponsored 3/31/2025
Rep. Castor, Kathy [D-FL-14]
FL • D
Sponsored 3/31/2025
Cherfilus-McCormick
FL • D
Sponsored 3/31/2025
Rep. Cleaver, Emanuel [D-MO-5]
MO • D
Sponsored 3/31/2025
Cohen
TN • D
Sponsored 3/31/2025
Crockett
TX • D
Sponsored 3/31/2025
Davis (IL)
IL • D
Sponsored 3/31/2025
Rep. DeGette, Diana [D-CO-1]
CO • D
Sponsored 3/31/2025
Rep. Doggett, Lloyd [D-TX-37]
TX • D
Sponsored 3/31/2025
Rep. Evans, Dwight [D-PA-3]
PA • D
Sponsored 3/31/2025
Rep. Fields, Cleo [D-LA-6]
LA • D
Sponsored 3/31/2025
Rep. Huffman, Jared [D-CA-2]
CA • D
Sponsored 3/31/2025
Johnson (GA)
GA • D
Sponsored 3/31/2025
Khanna
CA • D
Sponsored 3/31/2025
Rep. Lee, Summer L. [D-PA-12]
PA • D
Sponsored 3/31/2025
Rep. McIver, LaMonica [D-NJ-10]
NJ • D
Sponsored 3/31/2025
Rep. Meng, Grace [D-NY-6]
NY • D
Sponsored 3/31/2025
Rep. Moore, Gwen [D-WI-4]
WI • D
Sponsored 3/31/2025
Mullin
CA • D
Sponsored 3/31/2025
Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large]
DC • D
Sponsored 3/31/2025
Ocasio-Cortez
NY • D
Sponsored 3/31/2025
Rep. Omar, Ilhan [D-MN-5]
MN • D
Sponsored 3/31/2025
Rep. Pettersen, Brittany [D-CO-7]
CO • D
Sponsored 3/31/2025
Rep. Ramirez, Delia C. [D-IL-3]
IL • D
Sponsored 3/31/2025
Rep. Sánchez, Linda T. [D-CA-38]
CA • D
Sponsored 3/31/2025
Schakowsky
IL • D
Sponsored 3/31/2025
Smith (WA)
WA • D
Sponsored 3/31/2025
Rep. Thanedar, Shri [D-MI-13]
MI • D
Sponsored 3/31/2025
Thompson (MS)
MS • D
Sponsored 3/31/2025
Rep. Titus, Dina [D-NV-1]
NV • D
Sponsored 3/31/2025
Rep. Tlaib, Rashida [D-MI-12]
MI • D
Sponsored 3/31/2025
Rep. Watson Coleman, Bonnie [D-NJ-12]
NJ • D
Sponsored 3/31/2025
Rep. Balint, Becca [D-VT-At Large]
VT • D
Sponsored 4/7/2025
Adams
NC • D
Sponsored 4/8/2025
Rep. Frost, Maxwell [D-FL-10]
FL • D
Sponsored 4/8/2025
Rep. Chu, Judy [D-CA-28]
CA • D
Sponsored 4/28/2025
Levin
CA • D
Sponsored 5/5/2025
Rep. Hayes, Jahana [D-CT-5]
CT • D
Sponsored 6/27/2025
Rep. DeSaulnier, Mark [D-CA-10]
CA • D
Sponsored 8/15/2025
Rep. Jayapal, Pramila [D-WA-7]
WA • D
Sponsored 8/26/2025
Mrvan
IN • D
Sponsored 10/17/2025
Grijalva
AZ • D
Sponsored 12/17/2025
Rep. Olszewski, Johnny [D-MD-2]
MD • D
Sponsored 12/19/2025
Rep. Min, Dave [D-CA-47]
CA • D
Sponsored 1/7/2026
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
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