Two Democratic senators introduce new FEMA bill to define extreme heat as a disaster

(The Center Square) — U.S. senators from Arizona and Nevada have introduced legislation declaring extreme heat a major disaster.

The Extreme Heat Emergency Act from Sens. Ruben Gallego, D-Arizona, and Jacky Rosen, D-Nevada, would “explicitly authorize extreme heat as eligible for a Major Disaster Declaration” by the president of the United States under the Stafford Act, a 1980s law relating to weather events.

In a press release, Gallego said “extreme heat kills more Americans” annually than every other form of extreme weather combined.

“But still, the federal government sits on the sidelines, leaving state and local governments to drain their funds trying to keep people safe,” said Gallego.

“By adding extreme heat to FEMA’s list of major disasters, we can unlock the funds and support our communities desperately need," he said, referring to the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

Pointing to her home state, Rosen said more than 500 people died last year from heat-related illnesses, and that was just in one county. In 2025, at least 29 people in southern Nevada have died from health-related causes.

“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,” said Rosen. “By classifying extreme heat as a major disaster, our communities will be able to receive the federal funding needed to respond and prepare for future extreme heat events.”

According to Gallego’s office, 608 people in Maricopa County, Arizona, died in 2024 from extreme heat. This year, there are approximately 275 heat-related deaths under investigation, an increase from this time in 2024.

U.S. Rep. Sylvia Garcia, D-Texas, has a similar bill in the U.S. House.

Health and weather officials applaud the efforts. The list includes Dr. Eugene Livar, Arizona chief health officer; Hannah Safford, associate director of climate and environment at the Federation of American Scientists, and Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego.

“This reform will save lives across the country, and I commend the sponsors of this bill for championing this effort,” said the mayor.

Sen. Gallego has also introduced weather-related measures.

His Excess Urban Heat Mitigation Act would fund community solutions to so-called urban heat islands, while the Extreme Heat Economic Study Act calls for research on the impact that extreme heat has on health, infrastructure, and the economy. Gallego's LIHEAP Parity Act promises states such as Arizona would get their "fair share of federal energy assistance."