Bill > S341

This bill establishes a comprehensive program to help local communities address the environmental and public health challenges posed by wildfire smoke and extreme heat. The bill amends the Clean Air Act to create a grant program for air pollution control agencies, enabling them to support local communities through various activities such as air quality monitoring, community outreach, deploying air quality monitoring equipment, equipping public buildings with air filtration systems, and distributing protective gear like N-95 masks. The bill also mandates the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to establish four "Centers of Excellence for Wildfire Smoke and Extreme Heat" at higher education institutions to conduct research on the health impacts of wildfire smoke and extreme heat, with a priority given to institutions with existing air quality expertise and community relationships. Additionally, the bill creates a competitive grant program to help states, local governments, Indian Tribes, and Native Hawaiian organizations develop collaborative community plans for mitigating smoke and extreme heat impacts. The bill authorizes significant funding, including $10 million for research centers, $20 million for research activities, and $50 million for community planning grants, to be allocated annually starting in fiscal year 2026. The goal is to improve communities' ability to detect, prepare for, communicate about, and mitigate the environmental and public health risks associated with wildfire smoke and extreme heat events.

Agriculture and Natural Resources

https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/senate-bill/341/all-info