Legislative Activity

The "Cool Roof Rebate Act of 2025" establishes a rebate program, running through September 30, 2030, for eligible households to receive financial assistance for the purchase and installation of cool roof products. Rebate amounts vary based on the type and performance of the cool roof product installed, with higher rebates for products that meet more stringent solar reflectance and thermal emittance criteria. The Act also requires a report to Congress on the program's impact and authorizes appropriations for both the rebate program and updates to the Cool Roof Calculator. To be eligible, households must have an income less than 200% of their ZIP Code's median income and reside in a high-risk area according to the CDC's Heat and Health Index.

The "IMPACT Act 2.0" aims to strengthen the competitiveness of U.S. cement, concrete, and asphalt production by promoting the use of low-emissions materials through research, development, and commercial application of new technologies. It establishes a grant program to reimburse states for using these materials in highway projects and creates a public directory of approved low-emissions materials. The act also authorizes states to enter into advance purchase agreements for innovative, domestically produced materials that meet certain performance and environmental standards.

The College Thriving Act aims to improve first-year college student success by providing grants to higher education institutions to develop and implement "skills-for-success" courses. These courses will focus on essential skills such as time management, stress management, and building relationships, with priority given to institutions serving a high percentage of Pell Grant recipients. The Act allocates \$50 million for these grants, which will support institutions over a five-year period to develop, pilot, and fully implement these courses. Institutions will be required to evaluate the effectiveness of their programs and report their findings to the Secretary of Education.

This bill recognizes February 4, 2025, as "Transit Equity Day" to honor Rosa Parks and highlight the importance of equitable access to public transit. It acknowledges the ongoing disparities in transit access based on race, income, and disability, while promoting affordable, reliable public transit and its role in combating climate change. The bill encourages the use of public transportation and applauds transit agencies offering fare-free rides on Transit Equity Day.