Bill > HR6437

This bill, the Heating and Cooling Relief Act, aims to amend the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Act of 1981 to increase the availability of heating and cooling assistance for low-income households. Key provisions include: - Significantly increasing funding for the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) by authorizing $400 billion over 10 years, including $1 billion per year specifically for cooling assistance during heat waves. - Expanding eligibility for LIHEAP by increasing the income threshold to 250% of the federal poverty line or 80% of state median income, and preventing states from excluding households based on citizenship. - Requiring states to make it easier for households to self-attest to their eligibility, rather than providing extensive documentation. - Placing new requirements on energy suppliers who receive LIHEAP funds, such as prohibiting late fees and shutoffs for assisted households. - Increasing the portion of LIHEAP funds that states can use for weatherization from 15% to 25%, with a focus on transitioning to renewable energy. - Creating a new grant program to help states and local governments develop plans to reduce energy burdens for high-usage LIHEAP households in a way that supports a just transition away from fossil fuels. The goal is to make home heating and cooling more affordable and accessible for low-income families, especially as climate change leads to more extreme temperatures.