WASHINGTON DC – Yesterday, U.S. Senator Jacky Rosen (D-NV) introduced the Extreme Heat Emergency Act. The bill would explicitly authorize extreme heat as eligible for a Major Disaster Declaration by the President under the Stafford Act, which recognizes fires, floods, explosions, hurricanes, tornadoes, and earthquakes as eligible disasters. This would help communities like those in Nevada access federal resources and funding to respond to these disasters and prepare for future extreme heat waves. On Monday, Las Vegas had the hottest day recorded so far this year, and the death toll of heat-related deaths has already risen to 29 people in Southern Nevada.
CBS News: The June heat dome broke records. Lawmakers are now trying to classify extreme heat as a disaster
- There have been 27 major disaster declarations issued by President Trump so far in 2025. The disasters range in size and scope, from the L.A. wildfires to Midwest tornadoes and the Texas flooding as well as several winter storms. Many of them have resulted in fatalities and billions of dollars in damage to property and businesses, but one major deadly weather event that occurred in June hasn’t been declared: an extreme heat wave.
- But there’s no disaster declaration for the event listed on the FEMA website.
- That’s because extreme heat is not considered a “disaster” that is eligible for federal funding, according to the Stafford Act, which is the guiding law that outlines when and how the president can declare disasters and direct the Federal Emergency Management Agency to provide assistance to state and local governments.
- Now, three Democratic lawmakers are attempting to change that. Senators Jacky Rosen of Nevada and Ruben Gallego of Arizona, along with Congresswoman Sylvia Garcia of Texas, have proposed legislation to classify extreme heat as a disaster, which would allow federal funding to flow into areas where hotter temperatures cause significant physical and economic distress.
Las Vegas Review-Journal: Nevada senator wants federal funding for extreme heat emergencies
- Sen. Jacky Rosen introduced legislation today to designate extreme heat as a major disaster, which would allow communities to receive federal aid during heat-related emergencies.
- The Extreme Heat Emergency Act, co-sponsored by Rosen, Sen. Ruben Gallego, D-Ariz. and Rep. Sylvia Garcia, D-Texas, would help Nevada and other states respond to extreme heat events and prevent future disasters, according to a Wednesday press release.
- “Last year, more than 500 people died in one single county in Nevada from heat-related illnesses,” Rosen wrote in the press release. “Current federal policy ignores the physical and health risks that such extremely high temperatures have on our communities, which is why I’m introducing a bill to change that.”
- The release cites heat-related deaths and critical infrastructure damage as severe effects of extreme temperature. Extreme heat is the leading cause of weather-related death in the U.S., according to the release.
KOH Reno: Nevada Sen. Moves to Declare Extreme Heat a ‘Major Disaster’
- Nevada Senator Jacky Rosen is introducing legislation to declare extreme heat a major disaster.
- If passed and signed into law, the Extreme Heat Emergency Act would add extreme temperatures to a list of disasters eligible to receive federal aid.
- Currently, the president has the authority to declare disasters for fires, floods, hurricanes and other natural catastrophes.
- Twenty-nine Clark County residents have died from heat-related illnesses this summer. Last year, the county saw more than 500 heat-related deaths.
KLAS Las Vegas: After Las Vegas’ hottest summer ever, Rosen seeks to classify extreme heat as major disaster
Anchor: “A Nevada Senator wants more federal money available during extreme heat. Democrat Jacky Rosen [is] introducing a bill to have extreme heat listed as a major federal disaster. She cited the hundreds of fatalities in Clark County, where heat is listed as a related cause. That bill would unlock disaster funding available for things like hurricanes and tornadoes.”
KSNV Las Vegas: Nevada’s Rosen joins push to add extreme heat to major disaster declarations
Anchor: “Speaking of the extreme heat, Nevada Senator Jacky Rosen is pushing to add that to the list of natural disasters that are eligible for federal aid, joined by representatives from Arizona and Texas. The bill would allow communities experiencing heat waves access to federal resources and funding. Last year, there were more than 500 heat-related deaths in Clark County alone. Senator Rosen argues current federal policy ignores the dangers and health risks posed by heat, adding that classifying heat as a major disaster will help the community respond and prepare for future heat events.”
KOLO Reno: Rosen helps introduce bill to declare extreme heat a major disaster
Anchor: “Senator Jacky Rosen is helping to introduce a bill focused on the dangers of heat and getting federal funding to prepare for extreme heat events. The Extreme Heat Emergency Act would explicitly authorize extreme heat as being eligible for a “major disaster declaration” by the president under the Stafford Act. Rosen says the bill would help communities across our state access federal resources and money to prepare for future heat waves.”
KTVN Reno: Lawmakers push for federal disaster declaration on extreme heat
Anchor: “Nevada Senator Jacky Rosen and Arizona Senator Ruben Gallego introduced the Extreme Heat Emergency Act to add extreme heat to the list of disasters eligible for a major disaster declaration under the Stafford Act. This designation would allow local governments to request federal aid similar to what is available for hurricanes, floods, and wildfires.”
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