Research on wildfire smoke and extreme heat

(a) Centers of excellence (1) In general Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall establish at institutions of higher education (as defined in section 101(a) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1001(a))) 4 centers, each of which shall be known as a Center of Excellence for Wildfire Smoke and Extreme Heat, to carry out research relating to— (A) the effects on public health, including the health of outdoor workers, of— (i) smoke emissions from wildland fires; and (ii) extreme heat; and (B) means by which communities can better respond to the impacts of— (i) emissions from wildland fires; and (ii) extreme heat events. (2) Priority In selecting institutions of higher education (as so defined) at which to establish a center under paragraph (1), the Administrator shall give priority to institutions of higher education (as so defined) that— (A) have established expertise with respect to air quality or dedicated centers of air quality research; (B) have experience with relevant outreach and extension work; (C) have established relationships with relevant Federal, State, and local agencies, community organizations, Native Hawaiian organizations, and Indian Tribes; and (D) are located in an area that is economically or environmentally impacted by wildfire smoke or extreme heat. (3) Authorization of appropriations There is authorized to be appropriated to the Administrator to carry out this subsection $10,000,000 for fiscal year 2026 and each fiscal year thereafter. (b) Research (1) In general Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall begin to carry out research— (A) to study the health effects of— (i) smoke emissions from wildland fires; and (ii) extreme heat; (B) to develop and disseminate personal and community-based interventions to reduce exposure to and adverse health effects of— (i) smoke emissions from wildland fires; and (ii) extreme heat; (C) to increase the quality of smoke and extreme heat monitoring and prediction tools and techniques; and (D) to develop implementation and communication strategies. (2) Authorization of appropriations There is authorized to be appropriated to the Administrator to carry out this subsection $20,000,000 for fiscal year 2026 and each fiscal year thereafter.