Extreme Heat Emergency Act of 2023

The Extreme Heat Emergency Act of 2023 (H.R. 3965) would amend the Stafford Act to officially include "extreme heat" in the federal definition of a major disaster. This change would allow state, local, and tribal governments to request federal financial assistance and emergency resources from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) specifically to respond to life-threatening heat waves. If passed, the bill would provide communities with more tools to fund cooling centers, distribute water, and manage the public health impacts of record-breaking temperatures.