Extreme Heat Emergency Act of 2025

HR 4497, the Extreme Heat Emergency Act of 2025, amends the Stafford Act to explicitly include "extreme heat" in the definition of a "major disaster" alongside events like floods and droughts. This change would allow communities experiencing severe, life-threatening heatwaves to qualify for federal disaster assistance under existing Stafford Act programs. The bill directly affects local governments and residents in areas hit by extreme heat events that meet the new definition, enabling them to access federal aid previously unavailable for heat emergencies. It does not create new programs or funding but adjusts eligibility criteria for current disaster relief mechanisms.