H.R. 2486: Heating and Cooling Relief Act

Introduced Mar 31, 202547 cosponsors

Sponsor

Yassamin Ansari

Democrat · AZ-3

Bill Progress

IntroducedMar 31

Committee

Pass House

Pass Senate

Signed

Law

Latest Action · Mar 31, 2025

1/2

Referred to Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Education and Workforce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned. for review

Big energy aid boost, stricter rules

Why it matters

With extreme heat, extreme cold, and utility debt hitting more households, HR2486 would expand who qualifies for help, add $2,000,000,000 in emergency funding for FY2026, and block shutoffs for 2 years after aid is received.

Beyond bill payment help, HR2486 tries to modernize the program and shift homes toward cleaner equipment. It raises the share of funds that can go to weatherization and energy-related home repair from 15 percent to 25 percent, with priority for replacing fossil-fuel-reliant appliances with electric heating and cooling powered by renewable energy. States would have to develop an extreme heat action plan within 1 year of enactment, make online applications available within 5 years, and use funds above 10 percent of their administrative allotment to operate year-round. The bill also renames LIHEAP as the “Home Energy Assistance Program” and creates 3-year Just Transition Grants funded at $1,000,000,000 for FY2026 and $1,000,000,000 plus necessary additional sums each year after that.

What does H.R. 2486 do?

Broader eligibility up to 250% poverty

Households qualify if income does not exceed the greater of 250 percent of the poverty level or 80 percent of the State median income, expanding access beyond narrower income tests. States also may not exclude households based on the citizenship status of one or more members, and they cannot require proof of citizenship.

Emergency funding adds $2 billion in FY2026

The bill authorizes $2,000,000,000 for FY2026 for emergencies and major disasters, plus $2,000,000,000 and any necessary additional sums for each fiscal year after that. It also authorizes general appropriations of “such sums as may be necessary” to assist all eligible households and carry out home energy affordability measures.

No shutoffs for 2 years after aid

Energy suppliers could not shut off service for 2 years after a household receives assistance. Suppliers also could not charge late fees during the 6 months before or 6 months after a household receives program funds, and they would have to refund any late fees charged during that period within 7 days.

Weatherization share rises from 15% to 25%

The bill increases the portion of funds that can be used for weatherization and energy-related home repair from 15 percent to 25 percent. States must prioritize repairs that replace fossil-fuel-reliant appliances with electric heating and cooling systems powered by renewable energy.

States must go year-round and online

States must use funds exceeding 10 percent of their administrative allotment to operate the program year-round, develop an extreme heat action plan within 1 year of enactment, and make online applications available within 5 years of enactment. HEAP coordinators must be paid at least the greater of $15 per hour or the applicable local, State, or Federal minimum wage.

Arrears rules target 60-to-90-day unpaid bills

For data collection, arrears means an eligible household has not paid a bill for 60 to 90 days, as determined by the State. The Secretary must issue guidance barring suppliers from making up arrearage-assistance costs through rate increases or charges on other customers.

Who benefits from H.R. 2486?

Low- and moderate-income households

More households could qualify because the income limit is the greater of 250 percent of the poverty level or 80 percent of the State median income. States are also told to work so that no eligible household spends more than 3 percent of income on home energy.

Households facing heat waves, cold snaps, and disasters

People in areas with a presidential or secretarial disaster or emergency declaration would get access as covered households, including during periods of extreme heat or extreme cold determined by the Secretary. Families could receive heating assistance even if they already received cooling assistance in the same year, and vice versa.

Mixed-status immigrant households

States could not deny aid because of the citizenship status of one or more household members, and applicants could not be required to submit proof of citizenship. The bill also says this help is not a “Federal public benefit” under the 1996 law, reducing barriers to applying.

Workers and communities shifting away from fossil fuels

The bill creates 3-year Just Transition Grants and authorizes $1,000,000,000 for FY2026, plus $1,000,000,000 and necessary additional sums each year after that. Preference goes to projects that partner with workforce development initiatives, unions, or minority- and women-owned businesses.

Who is affected by H.R. 2486?

Energy suppliers and utilities

They would face new restrictions: no late fees for the 6 months before and 6 months after assistance, refunds within 7 days, no shutoffs for 2 years after aid, and a requirement to offer a low-income affordability payment program within 2 years of enactment.

State agencies running energy assistance programs

State agencies would need to broaden eligibility administration, avoid citizenship-document demands, create an extreme heat action plan within 1 year, move to online applications within 5 years, and operate the program year-round if using funds above 10 percent of their administrative allotment.

Local coordinating agencies and HEAP coordinators

Local offices handling intake and benefit approval would likely see more applicants as eligibility expands and year-round operations become required. HEAP coordinators must be paid at least $15 per hour or the applicable local, State, or Federal minimum wage, whichever is higher.

Households with unpaid utility debt

Families with arrears — defined here as unpaid bills lasting 60 to 90 days, depending on the State — could benefit from better tracking and protections. They would also be shielded if the Secretary's guidance successfully prevents suppliers from spreading arrearage-assistance costs through higher rates on other customers.

H.R. 2486 Common Questions

How much emergency energy assistance would HR 2486 provide in 2026?

According to HR2486 Section 3, the bill authorizes $2,000,000,000 for FY2026 for emergency and major-disaster energy assistance, plus $2,000,000,000 and any necessary additional sums each year after.

Can utility companies shut off power after a household gets HEAP assistance under HR 2486?

No. Under the Heating and Cooling Relief Act (Section 7), suppliers could not shut off household energy service for 2 years after the household receives assistance.

What income qualifies for energy bill help under the Heating and Cooling Relief Act?

Under the Heating and Cooling Relief Act (Section 6), a household qualifies if income is at or below the greater of 250% of the poverty level or 80% of the State median income.

How much money would the bill set aside for Just Transition Grants?

According to HR2486 Section 3, Just Transition Grants would get $1,000,000,000 for FY2026 and $1,000,000,000 plus necessary additional sums for each later fiscal year.

Can states require proof of citizenship for home energy assistance under HR 2486?

No. Under the Heating and Cooling Relief Act (Section 6), states may not deny a household based on members' citizenship status and cannot require proof of citizenship.

How much of HEAP funds could states use for weatherization and home energy repairs under HR 2486?

Under the Heating and Cooling Relief Act (Section 8), the cap rises from 15% to 25% for weatherization and energy-related home repair, with priority for electric heating and cooling tied to renewable energy.

Does HR 2486 ban late fees on utility bills for households getting assistance?

Yes. Under the Heating and Cooling Relief Act (Section 7), suppliers could not charge late fees during the 6 months before or 6 months after assistance, and must refund wrongly charged fees within 7 days.

Can you get both heating and cooling assistance in the same year under HR 2486?

Yes. According to HR2486 Section 5, states may not block a household from receiving both heating and cooling assistance in the same calendar year.

Does the bill require states to offer online HEAP applications?

Yes. Under the Heating and Cooling Relief Act (Section 7), states must allow online application submission within 5 years of enactment and operate the program year-round.

What counts as home energy payment arrears under HR 2486?

According to HR2486 Section 9, arrears means an eligible household has not paid a home energy bill for 60 to 90 days, as set by the state or local agency.

Based on H.R. 2486 bill text

Cost & Funding

Authorization: General funding: such sums as may be necessary; Emergency/Disaster funding: $2,000,000,000 for FY2026 and $2,000,000,000 plus necessary additional sums for each fiscal year thereafter; Just Transition Grants: $1,000,000,000 for FY2026 and $1,000,000,000 plus necessary additional sums for each fiscal year thereafter.

—Amends 42 U.S.C. 8621(b) to authorize such sums as may be necessary to assist all eligible households and implement home energy affordability measures.
—Amends 42 U.S.C. 8621(e) to authorize $2,000,000,000 for FY2026 for emergencies and major disasters, then $2,000,000,000 plus necessary additional sums each year after.
—Authorizes $1,000,000,000 for FY2026 for Section 2607C Just Transition Grants, then $1,000,000,000 plus necessary additional sums for each later fiscal year.
—Raises the share of program funds available for weatherization and energy-related home repair from 15 percent to 25 percent.

HR2486 Legislative Journey

1 actions

House: Committee Action

Mar 31, 2025

Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Education and Workforce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

About the Sponsor

Yassamin Ansari

Democrat, Arizona's 3rd congressional district · 1 years in Congress

Committees: Natural Resources, Oversight and Government Reform

View full profile →

Cosponsors (47)

No new cosponsors in 99 days — momentum stalled

All 47 cosponsors are Democrats. Cosponsors represent 25 states: Arizona, California, Colorado, and 22 more.

47Democrats·25 states

Nanette Barragán

Democrat · CA

Wesley Bell

Democrat · MO

André Carson

Democrat · IN

Troy Carter

Democrat · LA

Kathy Castor

Democrat · FL

Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick

Democrat · FL

Emanuel Cleaver

Democrat · MO

Steve Cohen

Democrat · TN

Jasmine Crockett

Democrat · TX

Danny Davis

Democrat · IL

Diana DeGette

Democrat · CO

Lloyd Doggett

Democrat · TX

Committee Sponsors

Education and Workforce Committee

15D20R

|5 signed30 not yet

5 of 35 committee members cosponsored

Energy and Commerce Committee

24D30R

|7 signed47 not yet

7 of 54 committee members cosponsored

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez

Jan Schakowsky

27 Democrats across these committees haven't cosponsored yet. Mobilize their constituents

H.R. 2486 Quick Facts

Cosponsors

+42 more

Committee: Education and Workforce
Chamber: House
Policy: Energy
Introduced: Mar 31, 2025

Mar 31, 2025

Constituent Resources

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Official Sources

H.R. 2486 on Congress.gov

Official bill page with text, status, sponsors, and related actions for the Heating and Cooling Relief Act.

HHS LIHEAP Program

The bill amends the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Act, so the federal LIHEAP program page is the primary official source for current program structure and administration.

LIHEAP Clearinghouse Weatherization Assistance

This official HHS LIHEAP Clearinghouse page is relevant to the bill's increase in allowable spending for weatherization and home energy repairs.

HHS LIHEAP Eligibility and Benefits

Useful for understanding how federal LIHEAP eligibility and household energy assistance benefits work, which HR 2486 would expand.

U.S. Census Bureau Household Pulse Survey

The bill's findings cite the Census Bureau Household Pulse Survey regarding families cutting necessities to pay energy bills.

U.S. House Office of the Law Revision Counsel — 42 U.S.C. Chapter 94

Official U.S. Code page for the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Act provisions that HR 2486 would amend, including 42 U.S.C. 8621 through 8623.

CBO Cost Estimates

If the Congressional Budget Office publishes a cost estimate for HR 2486, it would appear through the official CBO cost estimates resource.