DHS must research climate threats to emergency response, report annually

What it does

This bill requires the Department of Homeland Security's Under Secretary for Science and Technology to evaluate existing federal research on how climate change affects homeland security operations, and may conduct new research and development to mitigate those effects. The bill mandates annual reports to Congress for four years and requires DHS to consult with other federal agencies, state and local governments, and critical infrastructure operators.

Why we flagged it

The bill's core function is to establish a research and evaluation requirement within DHS focused on climate change impacts to homeland security operations, with mandatory reporting. It is a straightforward public-safety and transparency measure.

What the text implies

• The bill does not appropriate funds; research is 'subject to the availability of appropriations,' meaning actual R&D depends on future budget decisions and may not occur if Congress does not fund it.
• The evaluation requirement is mandatory, but the research and development component is discretionary ('may conduct'), creating a potential gap between assessment and action.
• Annual reporting requirement for four years creates an ongoing transparency mechanism that could influence future climate-security policy and appropriations decisions.

Section numbers refer to the bill text the analysis read — linked under Primary records below.

Who it affects

Citizens benefit from expanded research into climate threats to homeland security operations (emergency preparedness, disaster response, critical infrastructure resilience) and mandatory transparency through congressional reporting. The bill creates no new restrictions on citizens' rights or remedies, and the research focus directly serves public safety and preparedness.

Named in the bill

Department of Homeland Security, Under Secretary for Science and Technology, Federal agencies, State, local, Tribal, and territorial governments, Critical infrastructure operators, House Committee on Homeland Security, House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs

Where it stands

3 cosponsors: 3 Democrats.

• Apr 7, 2025 — Introduced · Congress.gov: “Introduced in House”
• Apr 7, 2025 — Referred to House Committee on Homeland Security · Congress.gov: “Referred to the Subcommittee on Emergency Management and Technology”

Dates and quoted wording are Congress.gov's action record; the timeline shows status changes, not every procedural step.