S. 2856: Wildfire Smoke Relief Act

This bill, known as the Wildfire Smoke Relief Act, aims to provide support to individuals living in areas where wildfire smoke has made the air quality unhealthy for at least three consecutive days. The assistance is specifically targeted at those who are at a higher risk of experiencing health issues related to smoke inhalation.

Key Provisions

• Definition of at-risk individuals: The bill defines "individuals at risk of wildfire smoke related illness" as:
  • Low-income individuals,
  • Parents or guardians with children under 19,
  • Pregnant women,
  • Individuals aged 65 and older,
  • Those with chronic respiratory or cardiovascular illnesses, and
  • Individuals with chronic diseases exacerbated by smoke inhalation.
• Transitional Sheltering Assistance Program: Under the program, the President will authorize assistance through the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to provide resources such as:
  • Smoke-inhalation prevention equipment, including:
  • Portable air filtration units,
  • Air filters,
  • Face masks or respirators (e.g., N95 masks),
  • Low-cost devices to keep smoke out of homes (e.g., weather strips, portable air-conditioning units, and ventilation equipment).
  • In cases where such equipment is insufficient, the bill also allows for cost-effective transitional shelter assistance for those at risk.

Qualified Entities

The bill mentions "qualified entities" which can be state or local governments, public health authorities, or coordinated care organizations that would be responsible for implementing the assistance programs outlined in the bill.

Eligibility Criteria

To be eligible for assistance, individuals must meet the criteria for being at risk, live in an affected area, and income levels must not exceed certain thresholds defined as low-income as per federal poverty guidelines.

Implementation and Oversight

The bill places responsibility on the President and FEMA to manage the funding and distribution of assistance to the specified groups. This includes overseeing how qualified entities access and utilize the resources to effectively aid at-risk individuals.

Overall Purpose

The main aim of the Wildfire Smoke Relief Act is to mitigate the health impacts of wildfire smoke on vulnerable populations by providing necessary resources and support in emergency situations where air quality deteriorates due to wildfires.

Relevant Companies

None found.