Senator Jacky Rosen Proposes Extreme Heat Emergency Act

Categories: Breaking NewsDisastersGovernment NewsHealthNews

A cooling station in Las Vegas provides relief during extreme heat conditions.

News Summary

Senator Jacky Rosen has introduced the Extreme Heat Emergency Act to classify extreme heat as a major disaster. This legislation aims to provide federal resources to communities suffering from high temperatures, reflecting the urgent need for action as heat-related fatalities rise in Nevada. With support from other lawmakers, this act seeks to amend the Stafford Act to allow presidential disaster declarations for extreme heat, highlighting its serious impact on public health and economic costs.

Las Vegas, NV – U.S. Senator Jacky Rosen has introduced the Extreme Heat Emergency Act in an effort to classify extreme heat as a major disaster, a move aimed at improving federal resources for communities grappling with intense heat. This legislation was unveiled during Rosen’s visit to a cooling station in Las Vegas, where temperatures soared above 110 degrees, underscoring the urgency of her proposal.

The Extreme Heat Emergency Act seeks to amend the Stafford Act, which currently allows the president to declare disasters only for certain natural events, excluding extreme heat. If successfully passed, the Act would permit presidential disaster declarations specifically for extreme heat, thereby unlocking crucial federal assistance for communities affected by such conditions.

Rosen highlighted the severe impact of extreme temperatures in Nevada, noting that over 500 heat-related deaths were reported in one county last year. She criticized existing federal policies for neglecting the significant health risks posed by extreme heat and emphasized the necessity of urgent action to protect public health.

This legislation gains support from Senator Ruben Gallego and Representative Sylvia Garcia, who is introducing similar legislation in the House. Their joint effort reflects a growing recognition of the rising temperatures affecting cities like Las Vegas and Reno, both identified as among the fastest-warming urban areas in the United States.

In recent weeks, Las Vegas experienced its hottest day of the year, with temperatures reaching approximately 112 degrees. Local jurisdictions have responded by establishing cooling stations to provide relief for residents enduring the intense heat. Clark County, which encompasses Las Vegas, has reported 29 heat-related deaths thus far this year, a number that may rise as ongoing investigations are completed. Last year, this same county saw at least 526 heat-related fatalities, reflecting a staggering 78% increase compared to the previous year.

The summer of 2023 has already demonstrated alarming patterns, with average temperatures 6 to 10 degrees above normal, particularly during July, which historically holds the highest temperatures of the year. For context, last year’s July temperatures averaged 6.7 degrees hotter than usual, and some areas, like Death Valley, recorded peaks around 120 degrees.

In June 2025, Governor Joe Lombardo signed Assembly Bill 96, mandating that Clark and Washoe counties develop heat mitigation plans by July 2026. This law requires initiatives to assist communities in coping with extreme temperatures, including the provision of public cooling spaces and accessible drinking water.

The economic implications of extreme heat are significant, costing the United States an estimated $162 billion in 2024 alone, which is nearly equivalent to 1% of the GDP. As temperatures climb, local governments find themselves overwhelmed by the health challenges posed by extreme heat, leading experts like Hannah Safford from the Federation of American Scientists to advocate for policy changes.

The Federation recently released a 2025 Heat Policy Agenda, urging the amendment of the Stafford Act to clearly define extreme heat as a major disaster. This recognition is viewed as essential for building a heat-ready nation capable of effectively responding to the growing challenges posed by rising temperatures.

Senator Rosen’s introduction of the Extreme Heat Emergency Act reflects a critical step in addressing the increasing epidemic of extreme heat across the nation, fostering enhanced preparedness and response strategies to protect vulnerable communities.