Section 1 Short title
This Act may be cited as the “Extreme Heat Congressional Advisory Commission Act”.
Extreme Heat Congressional Advisory Commission Act
A BILL
To establish an independent bipartisan National Advisory Commission on Extreme Heat and Global Security to develop short-term and long-term sustainable plans of action to mitigate and adapt to extreme heat and heat-related extreme weather events.
Sec. 2 Findings
Congress finds the following:
Extreme heat is one of the leading weather-related causes of death globally, and the number of people exposed to extreme heat continues to grow as global temperatures rise.
Since publication of the National Heat Strategy for 2024–2030 in August of 2024, no focused Federal assessment of the national and global risks, impacts, and strategies for adaptation and mitigation of extreme heat has been undertaken.
The complex threats posed by extreme heat have become a matter of national security for nations around the world, impacting military readiness, the economy, food security, public health and safety, and much more.
A lack of data and coordinated strategies between nations and across levels of government has left communities vulnerable to extreme heat.
Greater collaboration between governments and enhanced understanding of the global dimensions of extreme heat are important to combat risks posed by extreme heat and heat-related extreme weather events.
A Federal commission should be established to conduct a comprehensive study of the national and global security challenges posed by extreme heat and develop coordinated and comprehensive plans of action on extreme heat that will seek to dramatically reduce heat related illnesses and deaths globally over the following decade and provide actionable solutions for the purposes of mitigating and adapting to extreme heat and heat-related extreme weather events.
Sec. 3 National Advisory Commission on Extreme Heat and Global Security
Establishment— There is established in the legislative branch a commission to be known as the “National Advisory Commission on Extreme Heat and Global Security”.
Duties of the Commission—
Study—
In general— The Commission shall conduct a five-year study of the global dimensions of extreme heat and heat-related extreme weather events.
Inclusions— In conducting the study under this paragraph, the Commission shall—
evaluate the global risks posed by extreme heat and heat-related extreme weather events to national security;
track the measurable health and socioeconomic impacts of extreme heat and heat-related extreme weather events;
evaluate the visibility and understanding of extreme heat and heat-related extreme weather events across communities;
review existing policies in place across the United States, in other countries, and at international organizations that aim to protect against the effects of extreme heat and heat-related extreme weather events;
conduct regional tours, online listening sessions, and focus groups; and
conduct regular outreach and consultation with Congress and Federal agencies, as well as relevant international, State, Tribal, and local governments, as determined necessary by the Commission.
Commencement— The Commission shall commence the study under this paragraph not later than 30 days after the Commission’s initial meeting.
Short-term plan; initial report—
Short-term plan of action— The Commission shall, taking into account the interim results of the study conducted under paragraph (1), develop a short-term plan of action to mitigate and adapt to extreme heat and heat-related extreme weather events that—
identifies key actions or policies that best strengthen global preparedness, response, and resilience to extreme heat and heat-related extreme weather events;
identifies key actions or policies that result in the global reduction of heat-related illnesses and deaths;
identifies key actions or policies that best address global challenges to mitigate and adapt to extreme heat and heat-related extreme weather events;
provides policy recommendations on how communities, within the United States and around the world, can protect themselves from extreme heat and heat-related extreme weather events;
provides policy recommendations for changes to existing Federal policies to better strengthen national and global preparedness, response, and resilience to extreme heat and heat-related extreme weather events; and
includes guidelines on how to implement the key actions and policies identified, and policy recommendations provided, under clauses (i) through (v), prioritizing implementation of actions, policies, and recommendations that can be implemented within a year.
Report— Not later than one year after the Commission commences the study under paragraph (1), the Commission shall submit to Congress, the President, and Federal agencies the Commission determines appropriate a report detailing—
the interim results of the study conducted under paragraph (1); and
the short-term plan of action developed under subparagraph (A) of this paragraph.
Long-term plan; interim report—
Long-term plan of action— The Commission shall, taking into account the results of the study conducted under paragraph (1), develop a long-term plan of action to mitigate and adapt to extreme heat and heat-related extreme weather events that—
identifies key actions or policies that best strengthen global preparedness, response, and resilience to extreme heat and heat-related extreme weather events;
identifies key actions or policies that result in the global reduction of heat-related illnesses and deaths;
identifies key actions or policies that best address global challenges to mitigate and adapt to extreme heat and heat-related extreme weather events;
provides policy recommendations on how communities, within the United States and around the world, can protect themselves from extreme heat and heat-related extreme weather events;
provides policy recommendations for changes to existing Federal policies to better strengthen national and global preparedness, response, and resilience to extreme heat and heat-related extreme weather events; and
includes guidelines on how to implement the key actions and policies identified, and policy recommendations provided, under clauses (i) through (v), prioritizing actions, policies, and recommendations that the Commission determines should be implemented over the long-term.
Interim Report— Not later than 4 years after the date the report under paragraph (2)(B) is submitted to Congress, the Commission shall submit to Congress, the President, and Federal agencies the Commission determines appropriate a report detailing—
the results of the study conducted under paragraph (1); and
the long-term plan of action developed under subparagraph (A) of this paragraph.
Final report— Not later than 10 years after the Commission commences the study under paragraph (1), the Commission shall submit to Congress, the President, and Federal agencies the Commission determines appropriate, a report containing—
the conclusions of the Commission on the effectiveness of the short-term and long-term plans of action developed under this section, including the recommendations contained therein;
potential legislative language to implement or codify recommendations developed by the Commission; and
a recommendation on whether the Commission should be extended by Congress and its mission continued.
Availability— The Commission shall make the study and each report required under this subsection publicly available.
Action— Not later than 1 year after the final report is submitted to Congress under paragraph (4), Congress shall hold a hearing on the recommendations of the initial report submitted under paragraph (2), the interim report submitted under paragraph (3), and the final report submitted under paragraph (4).
Membership and meetings—
Number and appointment— The Commission shall be composed of 22 members as follows:
4 members appointed by the House majority leader.
4 members appointed by House minority leader.
4 members appointed by Senate majority leader.
4 members appointed by Senate minority leader.
6 members appointed by the President.
Deadline— Each member shall be appointed not later than 60 days after the date of enactment of this Act.
Qualifications— The members of the Commission shall consist of individuals, or representative of institutions or entities, who—
possess expertise in—
public health or medical services;
engineering, data sciences, environmental sciences, meteorology, or other earth system sciences;
media and communications;
disaster management;
economics or other social sciences;
urban or rural design;
international relations; or
national security;
have demonstrated experience in working on heat-related issues or extreme weather; or
represent the interests and needs of a wide variety of geographic areas and demographic groups.
Political affiliation— Not more than 13 members appointed to the Commission may be of the same political party.
Chairperson— A Chairperson, or Co-Chairpersons, of the Commission shall be elected by the members of the Commission at the initial meeting of the Commission.
Quorum— A majority of the members of the Commission shall constitute a quorum.
Meetings— The Commission shall—
meet initially not later than the earlier of 3 months after the date of enactment of this Act or 40 days after the date on which a majority of the members are appointed; and
meet regularly thereafter at the call of the Chairperson, the Co-Chairpersons, or a majority of its members.
Administration and powers of Commission—
Hearings— The Commission shall hold hearings (including field hearings), at least one of which shall be a public hearing, for the purpose of carrying out this Act.
Obtaining official data— The Commission may secure directly from any department or agency of the United States information necessary to enable the Commission to carry out this Act.
Administrative support services— Upon the request of the Commission, the Administrator of General Services shall provide to the Commission, on a reimbursable basis, the administrative support services necessary for the Commission to carry out its responsibilities under this Act.
Director— To the extent amount are provided in advance in appropriations Act for such purpose, the Commission may have a Director who shall be appointed by the Commission.
Experts and consultants— The Commission may procure temporary and intermittent services under section 3109(b) of title 5, United States Code.
Gifts— The Commission may accept and use gifts, donations, and volunteer services to assist the Commission in carrying out the duties of the Commission.
Travel expenses— Each member shall receive travel expenses, including per diem in lieu of subsistence, in accordance with applicable provisions under subchapter I of chapter 57 of title 5, United States Code.
Termination— The Commission shall terminate 60 days after submitting its final report pursuant to subsection (b).
Definition— In this section, the term Commission means the National Advisory Commission on Extreme Heat and Global Security established under subsection (a).