Bill · S. 341· Senate(119-S-341)
Smoke and Heat Ready Communities Act of 2025
- Introduced
- 1/30/2025
- Last activity
- 1/30/2025 — Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
- Sponsored by
- Jeff Merkley
- Cosponsors
- - 7 - 0
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
The Smoke and Heat Ready Communities Act of 2025 proposes to amend the Clean Air Act. It seeks to establish a grant program to help local communities detect, prepare for, and mitigate the health and environmental impacts of wildfire smoke and extreme heat. The bill authorizes the EPA Administrator to provide grants to air pollution control agencies for various protective activities. Additionally, the legislation establishes four "Centers of Excellence" at higher education institutions to conduct research on these environmental threats. It also creates a competitive grant program to help States, local governments, Indian Tribes, and Native Hawaiian organizations develop community mitigation plans.
Yes· 3 of 11
Does this put more money into medical research?+7
The bill authorizes $30,000,000 annually for research through the establishment of Centers of Excellence and other research activities.
Does this put more money into scientific research?+7
The legislation establishes dedicated funding for scientific research into the health and mitigation of smoke and heat.
Does this better protect air, water and wildlife?+6
The bill funds community preparedness and mitigation of environmental threats from wildfire smoke and extreme heat.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Community Protection and Preparation: The bill allows for grants to help communities detect, prepare for, and communicate about the dangers of wildfire smoke and extreme heat (Section 3(b)).
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Improved Air Quality Monitoring and Communication: Funds can be used for monitoring and interpreting data regarding air quality, which helps people understand current and future conditions (Section 3(c)(1)).
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Enhanced Public Safety via Community Outreach: The bill supports outreach in areas prone to poor air quality caused by smoke and heat (Section 3(c)(2)).
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Cleaner Air in Public Spaces: Grants can equip public buildings with air filtration systems so they can serve as cleaner air spaces during smoke or heat events (Section s 3(c)(4)).
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Access to Protective Equipment: The legislation allows for the purchase and distribution of items like N-95 respirators and portable air filtration systems (Section 3(c)(5)).
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Financial Support for Protective Measures: The bill provides for subgrants to help private or public entities acquire protective gear or perform weatherization to prevent air infiltration (Section 3(c)(6)).
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Scientific Research and Health Insights: The establishment of "Centers of Excellence" will research the health effects of smoke and extreme heat, including the impact on outdoor workers (Section 4(a)(1)).
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Development of Better Response Tools: Research is intended to create better monitoring, prediction tools, and community-based interventions to reduce health risks (Section 4(b)(1)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- No specific negative impacts are explicitly detailed within the provided text.
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Native Americans+5Good For Low Income Households+4Good For Children+3Good For Rural Residents+3
- Healthcare
- Increases Research Funding+7Improves Healthcare Access+5
- Education And Technology
- Increases Scientific Research Funding+7Improves College Affordability+1
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Improves Environmental Protections+6Improves Public Transit+1
- Social Issues And Justice
- Improves Poverty Reduction+2
- 7/29/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 9/2/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 1/30/2025
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
- 6 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in Senate
One bill Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
Michael BennetDemocrat · Colorado
Richard BlumenthalDemocrat · Connecticut
Amy KlobucharDemocrat · Minnesota
Alex PadillaDemocrat · California
Bernie SandersIndependent · Vermont
Adam SchiffDemocrat · California
Tina SmithDemocrat · Minnesota
Ron WydenDemocrat · Oregon