Smoke and Heat Ready Communities Act of 2025
Sponsored By: Senator Merkley, Jeff [D-OR]
Introduced
Summary
Build community readiness for wildfire smoke and extreme heat. This bill would let the Environmental Protection Agency fund local air agencies, university research centers, and community planning to detect, prepare for, communicate about, and mitigate those hazards.
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- Families and households would get support for cleaner public air spaces, distribution of masks and portable air cleaners, and help with weatherization or equipment to reduce indoor smoke and heat exposure.
- State and local air pollution control agencies would be eligible for formula grants to expand monitoring, forecasting, public communication, and to equip buildings and responders for smoke and extreme heat events.
- Research and planning would be boosted by establishing four Centers of Excellence to study health effects and response strategies and by a competitive grant program to help states, tribes, and localities develop community mitigation plans.
*Would increase federal spending by authorizing $10 million annually for the Centers of Excellence, $20 million annually for EPA research, $50 million annually for community planning grants, and additional unspecified grant funding.*
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
5 provisions identified: 4 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.
Grants for smoke and heat readiness
If enacted, the EPA would make grants to air pollution control agencies. The grants could pay for air monitors, public outreach, building air filters, N‑95 masks, and portable cleaners. Local agencies could give subgrants or financing for weatherization and protective gear. The program would run only if Congress provides funding and the EPA must use a formula that considers community vulnerability.
Community smoke and heat planning grants
If enacted, the EPA would set up a competitive grant program within 180 days. States, local governments, Indian Tribes, and Native Hawaiian organizations could apply. Applications must include collaboration with a public college or research partner. The bill would authorize $50,000,000 for FY2026 and each fiscal year after to fund the program and the EPA may give technical help.
Research on wildfire smoke and heat
If enacted, the EPA would start a research program within 180 days. Research would study health effects of wildfire smoke and extreme heat and develop interventions, monitoring tools, and communication strategies. The bill would authorize $20,000,000 for FY2026 and each fiscal year after to carry out this work.
University centers for smoke and heat
If enacted, the EPA would establish four Centers of Excellence at colleges within 180 days. The centers would research health effects and community responses to wildland fire smoke and extreme heat. Priority would go to institutions with air quality expertise and outreach capacity. The bill would authorize $10,000,000 for FY2026 and each fiscal year after.
Definitions and extreme heat rules
If enacted, the bill would name the EPA Administrator as the program lead. It would adopt existing legal meanings for Indian Tribes and Native Hawaiian organizations. The Administrator would define "extreme heat" by rule, in consultation with other federal agencies. These definitions would shape who can apply for and how programs are run.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Merkley, Jeff [D-OR]
OR • D
Cosponsors
Sen. Blumenthal, Richard [D-CT]
CT • D
Sponsored 1/30/2025
Sen. Padilla, Alex [D-CA]
CA • D
Sponsored 1/30/2025
Sen. Schiff, Adam B. [D-CA]
CA • D
Sponsored 1/30/2025
Sen. Wyden, Ron [D-OR]
OR • D
Sponsored 1/30/2025
Sen. Sanders, Bernard [I-VT]
VT • I
Sponsored 1/30/2025
Sen. Bennet, Michael F. [D-CO]
CO • D
Sponsored 1/30/2025
Sen. Smith, Tina [D-MN]
MN • D
Sponsored 9/2/2025
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
View on Congress.gov