Findings; purpose

(a)

Findings

Congress finds the following: (1)Extreme heat is a growing public health and infrastructure challenge. (2)Tree canopy and green infrastructure reduce surface and air temperatures, improve safety and usability along transportation corridors, and protect infrastructure from heat-related degradation. (3)Communities with limited infrastructure investment often lack sufficient tree cover and face increased exposure to extreme heat and limited transportation access. (4)Federal programs such as the Healthy Streets program and the Urban and Community Forestry Program have demonstrated both high demand and the effectiveness of locally driven, community-scale interventions. (5)Locally driven efforts to plant and maintain trees along key walking, biking, and transit corridors are under-resourced, despite proven benefits to heat mitigation, public safety, and community health. (b)

Purpose

The purpose of this Act is to— (1)promote the deployment of cooling infrastructure along transportation corridors; (2)enhance resilience and safety of transportation systems in the face of extreme heat and improve air quality; (3)improve safety, accessibility, and usability for pedestrians, cyclists, and transit users; (4)extend the useful life of infrastructure; and (5)prioritize investment in communities facing disproportionate heat and access challenges.

Healthy Streets program

(a)

In general

Section 11406 of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (23 U.S.C. 101 note) is amended— (1)in subsection (a)— (A)in paragraph (2)— (i)in subparagraph (D) by striking and at the end; (ii)in subparagraph (E) by striking the period and inserting a semicolon; and (iii)by adding at the end the following:

(F)State and local transit agencies; (G)State departments of transportation; (H)local educational agencies; and (I)tree and greenspace stewardship organizations, environmental asset management groups, or infrastructure resilience partners with experience in protecting and sustaining green infrastructure and shade assets.

; and

(B)by adding at the end the following:

(8)

Cool corridor

The term cool corridor means— (A)a designated transportation route enhanced through linear greening strategies, including tree canopy, shade infrastructure, and other nature-based solutions designed to reduce surface and ambient temperatures; and (B)incorporates planning and stewardship measures to ensure the long-term functionality, protection, and climate resilience of the activities described in subparagraph (A). (9)

Heat mitigation strategies

The term heat mitigation strategies means activities that result in the mitigation of heat in public spaces, including tree planting, vegetative infrastructure, cool or reflective surfaces, shade structures, and other evidence-based practices, including the maintenance and preservation of already existing green infrastructure, roadside vegetations and trees.

;

(2)in subsection (b)— (A)by inserting for demonstration projects in geographically and climatically diverse regions, including both urban and rural communities with historically low tree canopy or high heat vulnerability before to eligible entities; (B)in paragraph (1) by striking and at the end; (C)in paragraph (2) by striking the period and inserting , including the integration of shade structures, bus stop shelters, and climate-resilient streetscape elements, which may include the strategic planting of trees for shade;; and (D)by adding at the end the following:

(3)to plan, design, construction, and maintain tree canopy and green infrastructure along public transportation corridors, including alongside transportation right of ways, at bus stops, near transit hubs, and within designated public-school zones and properties; (4)to deploy smart sensors and data tools to monitor heat exposure and performance; (5)for community engagement, planning, and workforce development activities relating to heat mitigation, tree planting and maintenance; and (6)to integrate cooling infrastructure into existing or planned multimodal corridors or new and existing transportation projects; particularly school zones, and neighborhood-scale corridors where pedestrian mobility is high to create cool corridors

;

(3)in subsection (d)(2)— (A)in subparagraph (A) by striking and at the end; (B)in subparagraph (B) by striking the period at the end and inserting ; and; and (C)by adding at the end the following:

(C)plans to undergo review and seek approval from the State or local agency of jurisdiction prior to project implementation to ensure projects do not interfere or hinder any ongoing or future developments.

;

(4)in subsection (f)— (A)in paragraph (1) by inserting that is impacted by high heat or low tree canopy coverage after disadvantaged community; (B)in paragraph (2) by striking or at the end; (C)in paragraph (3) by striking the period at the end and inserting a semicolon; and (D)by adding at the end the following:

(4)that improves access to transit, schools, jobs, or essential services; (5)that incorporates maintenance and long-term sustainability plans; (6)that leverages additional funding through public private or interagency coordination; (7)that aims to preserve and maintain existing green infrastructure and vegetation alongside transportation corridors and transit routes; (8)that incorporates the use of vegetation or tree species that require minimal maintenance; or (9)that integrates workforce training and urban forestry job creation strategies.

; and

(5)by adding at the end the following:

(i)

Interagency coordination

In carrying out the program under this section, the Secretary shall coordinate with the following, as appropriate: (1)The Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency. (2)The Secretary of Energy. (3)The Secretary of Housing and Urban Development. (4)The Secretary of Agriculture, particularly the Chief of the Forest Service. (5)The Director of the United States Climate Resilience Toolkit and United States Global Change Research Program. (j)

Technical assistance and guidance

The Secretary, in coordination with relevant Federal agencies, shall provide— (1)technical assistance, model project templates, and guidance to grantees to promote cost-effective and evidence-based project delivery under this section; and (2)guidance on tree species selection, short and long term stewardship plans, and integration with local forestry plans. (k)

Specifications for tree planting

If the recipient of a grant under this section uses grant funding for tree planting— (1)such planting shall be done in a manner that does not obstruct traffic views or hinder public safety, as determined by the Secretary; and (2)the recipient shall be responsible for tree maintenance, including watering and upkeep, as needed. (l)

Reporting

A recipient of a grant under this section shall submit to the Secretary an annual report on— (1)temperature reduction and environmental performance metrics; (2)infrastructure resilience improvements; (3)public health and equity outcomes; (4)cost-benefit analyses; and (5)community engagement practices.

(b)

Report

Not later than 5 years after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Transportation shall submit to Congress a report evaluating the outcomes of the program under section 11406 of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (23 U.S.C. 101 note) and making recommendations for permanent authorization and integration of the program into the surface transportation block grant program under section 133 of title 23, United States Code.