Heat waves added to federal road repair disaster funding under new bill
In committeeH.R. 6701Latest action
Sponsor: Greg Stanton · Representative · AZ
AIDecoded by AI · checked against the recordRead the official text
Official title: HEAT Act of 2025
119th Congress
Topics: Jobs & the economy
Introduced:
Read the official bill on Congress.govIn plain words
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The HEAT Act of 2025 would let states seek federal disaster funds to repair roads and bridges damaged by extreme heat events.
45-second read · 4 questions answered below
What does this do?
The HEAT Act of 2025 adds extreme heat to the list of disasters that qualify for federal emergency road and bridge repair funding. Currently, eligible disasters include floods, storms, and wildfires, but heat is not covered. The bill also requires two studies and a best-practices report on highway and bridge safety during extreme heat, all to be completed within one year of passage.
Who does it affect?
State and local transportation departments managing aging roads and bridges would be the primary applicants for the new funding. Drivers, freight companies, commuters, and rural communities with limited backup routes would also be directly affected.
Why does it matter?
Roads and bridges can buckle, expand, or jam during heat waves, creating safety risks especially where only one main route serves a community. Rural areas are specifically identified in the bill as facing higher risk due to fewer alternative routes when infrastructure fails.
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Read the official bill on Congress.govMake the call
Where does it stand?
- IntroducedDec 12, 2025
- House committeeYou are here · Dec 13, 2025
- House vote
- Senate
- The president's desk
Right now: a House committee is reviewing it. If the Senate changes it, it goes back to the House before reaching the president.
Latest action: — Referred to the Subcommittee on Highways and Transit.