HR 5407119th CongressIn Committee

Climate Resilient Elections Act

Introduced: Sep 16, 2025

Environment & ClimateInfrastructure

Standard Summary

Comprehensive overview in 1-2 paragraphs

The Climate Resilient Elections Act would strengthen election resilience to climate- or disaster-related disruptions. It would require states that receive Help America Vote Act (HAVA) funding after enactment to develop and regularly update continuity of operations (COOP) plans for running elections during disasters. It would also direct the Comptroller General (GAO) to study and report on how natural disasters affect voter registration and how the federal government can better support election administration during major disasters. Additionally, the bill would require the Election Assistance Commission (EAC) to award grants to states to harden election systems against climate-change-driven disasters, with specified uses and annual funding through 2030. The act defines a “covered major disaster” as a presidentially declared major disaster during a voting period, triggered by natural disasters, fires/explosions, or terrorism. Overall, the bill seeks to improve election continuity, planning, information sharing, and funding to protect voting access and election integrity in the face of worsening climate risks.

Key Points

1COOP requirement for election administration: States receiving HAVA funding after enactment must submit a continuity of operations plan by September 30, 2028, and update it at least every 5 years (through 2043), with retention and potential coordination with other governments or entities.
2Publication and privacy safeguards: The Commission must share COOPs with the public (via the internet and reports) but must redact personally identifiable information and not reveal information that could endanger national security, infrastructure, or public safety.
3GAO study and report: The Comptroller General must analyze how disasters affect voter registration, how the federal government can better assist election administration during major disasters, and study legal authorities to support rapid deployment of emergency resources for election infrastructure. A final report is due by September 30, 2026.
4EAC grants to strengthen elections: The Election Assistance Commission would award grants to states to improve resiliency of voting systems and processes against major disasters, including management, education, training, COOP development, systems upgrades, and voter hotlines.
5Funding and uses: annual appropriations of $20 million for fiscal years 2026–2030 to fund grants; allowed uses include disaster preparedness, voter education, training, COOP development, and upgrading voting technology. Restrictions apply (cannot fund certain litigation costs, judgments, or uses that violate court orders).

Impact Areas

Primary affected: State and local election officials and offices, who would be responsible for developing, updating, and publishing COOPs, and for managing grant-funded improvements to voting systems and processes.Voters and communities: Particularly those in disaster-prone regions or underserved communities disproportionately affected by natural disasters, who stand to benefit from more reliable access to voting during emergencies.Federal entities: Election Assistance Commission and the Comptroller General would gain new duties (grant administration, dissemination of COOPs, and conducting disaster-related analyses), with oversight responsibilities.Costs and administration: States would incur administrative work to create and update COOPs; federal funding would support upgrades and preparedness activities but requires annual appropriations through 2030.

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