Pennsylvania HB 1791: An Act establishing the Climate Emergency Basic Income Program and the Emergency Stabilization Fund; and imposing duties on the Department of Labor and Industry and the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency.

Bill Text

PRINTER'S NO. 2201
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE BILL
No. 1791
Session of
2025
INTRODUCED BY WAXMAN, FREEMAN, HILL-EVANS, SANCHEZ, K.HARRIS AND
KINKEAD, AUGUST 7, 2025
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON VETERANS AFFAIRS AND EMERGENCY
PREPAREDNESS, AUGUST 10, 2025
AN ACT
Establishing the Climate Emergency Basic Income Program and the
Emergency Stabilization Fund; and imposing duties on the
Department of Labor and Industry and the Pennsylvania
Emergency Management Agency.
The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
hereby enacts as follows:
Section 1. Short title.
This act shall be known and may be cited as the Climate
Emergency Basic Income Act.
Section 2. Legislative findings.
The General Assembly finds and declares that:
(1) Climate-related disasters are increasing in
frequency, severity and impact on vulnerable communities.
(2) Many Pennsylvanians, including unhoused individuals,
face catastrophic losses from floods, fires, storms and other
emergencies but are excluded from existing forms of aid.
(3) State-declared disasters demand rapid, unconditional
financial relief to support recovery, stabilize lives and
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reduce long-term harm.
(4) The Climate Emergency Basic Income Program
established under this act will deliver essential income to
survivors of disaster in a dignified and equitable manner.
Section 3. Definitions.
The following words and phrases when used in this act shall
have the meanings given to them in this section unless the
context clearly indicates otherwise:
"Agency." The Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency.
"Catastrophic property loss." A total or near-total loss of
personal property, shelter or possessions essential to daily
life, regardless of ownership status, including:
(1) Destruction of a house, apartment, tent, vehicle or
encampment used for living.
(2) Loss of belongings such as identification, clothing,
medical devices, work tools or survival necessities.
(3) Eviction or displacement due to environmental
hazards or official evacuation orders.
"Department." The Department of Labor and Industry of the
Commonwealth.
"Group-based eligibility area." A defined location
designated by emergency responders or public authorities as
uninhabitable, destroyed or unsafe due to a qualifying disaster.
The term includes shelters, encampments, mobile home parks,
apartment buildings and neighborhoods.
"Program." The Climate Emergency Basic Income Program
established under section 4.
"Qualifying disaster." A disaster or emergency that results
in a formal declaration by the Governor involving floods,
storms, wildfires, extreme temperatures or other climate-related
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events.
"Serious injury." A physical injury caused directly by a
disaster that requires hospitalization or results in long-term
impairment.
"Unbanked individual." An individual who does not have
practical or consistent access to a functional bank account or
traditional financial services.
Section 4. Establishment.
The Climate Emergency Basic Income Program is established
within the department to provide benefits under this act.
Section 5. Eligibility.
(a) Requirements.--An individual shall be eligible for
program benefits if the individual:
(1) Resides in or regularly occupies a qualifying
disaster area at the time of the qualifying disaster.
(2) Experiences catastrophic property loss or serious
injury.
(b) Automatic eligibility.--An individual shall be
automatically eligible for the program if the individual lives
in or regularly occupies a group-based eligibility area at the
time of the qualifying disaster. Individual documentation of
ownership, lease or formal residency shall not be required.
(c) Limitation.--An individual shall not be deemed
ineligible for the program due to lack of government-issued
identification, permanent address or insurance status.
Section 6. Program benefits.
(a) Amount.--Each eligible adult shall receive $1,000 per
month for a maximum period of six months following a qualifying
disaster.
(b) Additional amount.--An additional $500 per month shall
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be provided for each dependent child under 18 years of age or
for a dependent adult with a disability.
(c) Payments.--Payments shall be made monthly via direct
deposit or prepaid debit card. The Commonwealth shall ensure
that accessible options are available for unbanked individuals.
Section 7. Administration.
(a) Joint administration.--The program shall be jointly
administered by:
(1) The agency, which shall:
(i) Identify qualifying disasters and affected
regions.
(ii) Designate group-based eligibility areas in
coordination with municipal governments, emergency
responders and service organizations.
(iii) Maintain a Statewide disaster eligibility
registry.
(2) The department, which shall:
(i) Manage