HR1355-119

What This Bill Does

The Weatherization Enhancement and Readiness Act strengthens the Department of Energy weatherization program for low-income households. It raises the average expenditure limit for weatherization assistance from $6,500 to $12,000 per dwelling unit. It removes restrictions that prevent homes from receiving weatherization because they previously received federal, other federal-program, or nonfederal weatherization assistance. It creates a weatherization readiness program within 1 year after enactment to give grants to states and tribal organizations for structural, plumbing, roofing, electrical, environmental hazard, and other preparatory work that makes low-income homes safe and effective candidates for weatherization. The readiness program has no savings-to-investment ratio requirement, does not count as previous weatherization, allocates funds consistently with weatherization assistance unless later updated by rule after October 1, 2029, caps administrative use at 15 percent, and requires consultation with states and tribal organizations. Later text also authorizes weatherization funding of $300 million for each of fiscal years 2026 through 2028, $325 million for fiscal year 2029, and $350 million for fiscal year 2030, and adds readiness impacts to weatherization reporting.

Who Benefits and How

Low-income households benefit because homes with roof, electrical, plumbing, structural, or environmental hazards can receive readiness repairs instead of being deferred from weatherization. State weatherization agencies benefit from a dedicated grant stream and a higher $12,000 per-unit cap. Tribal organizations benefit because they are direct readiness grant recipients and consultation partners. Weatherization contractors benefit from more eligible homes and larger per-home project budgets. Energy-burdened renters and homeowners benefit if readiness work unlocks insulation, air sealing, heating, cooling, or safety upgrades. DOE benefits from clearer readiness authority and reporting on how readiness efforts affect eligibility.

Who Bears the Burden and How

The Energy Secretary must establish and administer the readiness program, allocate grants, consult states and tribal organizations, set or approve average-cost limits, and possibly update allocation rules by regulation after 2029. State and tribal grantees must manage readiness work, keep administrative spending within the 15 percent cap, align with weatherization program requirements, and report readiness impacts. Federal budget writers bear higher authorization levels through fiscal year 2030. Program administrators must coordinate readiness funding with other weatherization sources while avoiding deferrals caused by unsafe or ineffective dwelling conditions.

Key Provisions

• Raises the weatherization per-dwelling unit cap from $6,500 to $12,000.
• Removes prior-assistance limits that can block homes from receiving weatherization.
• Creates DOE weatherization-readiness grants for states and tribal organizations.
• Funds preparatory structural, plumbing, roofing, electrical, and environmental-hazard work for low-income dwellings.
• Bars a savings-to-investment ratio requirement for readiness measures.
• Caps grant administrative spending at 15 percent.
• Authorizes $300 million annually for fiscal years 2026 through 2028, $325 million for 2029, and $350 million for 2030.
• Adds readiness impacts to weatherization reporting.