Reps. Crow, Kim Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Strengthen Climate Resiliency Nationwide

WASHINGTON — Reps. Jason Crow (D-CO-06) and Young Kim (R-CA-40) introduced the Championing Local Efforts to Advance Resilience (CLEAR) Act of 2024, bipartisan legislation that would empower states nationwide to establish and maintain resiliency offices, which help communities withstand extreme weather events and provide the tools to come back stronger.

Inspired by the Colorado Resiliency Office that has proven successful in helping communities adapt to changing environmental conditions, this bill will establish a competitive grant program within the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to help States, Territories, and Tribes to project future conditions and implement resilience programming. 

“As fires, floods, and other extreme weather events continue to impact communities nationwide, it’s important we take proactive steps to ensure states can withstand extreme weather events and that they have the tools to come back stronger,” said Congressman Jason Crow. “We’ve seen this model work in Colorado with our state’s Resiliency Office. Now I’m proud to partner with Congresswoman Young Kim to introduce the CLEAR Act, bipartisan legislation that will empower communities to be fully prepared for when disaster strikes.”

“Our communities need to be able to prepare for, withstand, and rebuild after extreme weather events, such as wildfires and landslides,” said Congresswoman Young Kim. “I’m proud to join Rep. Crow on the bipartisan CLEAR Act to help meet local needs and promote resiliency against natural disasters.” 

Since 1980, the U.S. has sustained 400 weather and climate disasters that caused over $2.7 trillion in damages to working families, local communities, and small businesses – with 1 in 10 small businesses suffering losses from a natural disaster in each given year. Additionally, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) estimates that, on average, every $1 spent on natural hazard mitigation for disasters such as floods, hurricanes, and wildfires ultimately saves $6 in costs. Not only do extreme weather events create economic hardship, they affect public health, threaten our homeland security, damage our infrastructure, and negatively impact our farmers. 

This legislation is endorsed by a range of key stakeholder organizations, including the American Flood Coalition Action, Resilience Force, and the American Federation of Teachers. 

“Supporting state leadership on resilience is essential to protecting communities across the country from the increasing threats of natural hazards. States are key to steering federal investment, driving watershed-scale planning, and providing much needed capacity and technical assistance to local leaders. AFCA is proud to support the bipartisan Championing Local Efforts to Advance Resilience (CLEAR) Act, as it would strengthen existing state flood resilience entities, while encouraging more states to take on this vital work. We commend Representative Jason Crow (D-CO) and Representative Young Kim (R-CA) for leading this important policy that reflects the needs and experiences of state resilience leaders working on complex resilience challenges,” said Julie Seger, Government Relations & Policy Director, American Flood Coalition Action (AFCA).

"The CLEAR Act recognizes that training the resilience workforce is critical to preparing for climate change. We applaud Rep. Crow and the co-sponsors for helping communities build resilience for the climate disasters that could come any day," said Saket Soni, Executive Director, Resilience Force.

“Extreme weather events are no longer a distant threat—they’re a regular reality because of climate change. Our communities are bearing the devastating impacts of more frequent hurricanes, droughts, wildfires and floods that cause destruction to homes, schools and other property. In order to help mitigate the impact of these disasters, we must engage directly and collaboratively with the impacted communities—and not just with the usual suspects, but also with working people and disadvantaged and marginalized populations, who suffer the most during these tragedies and whose economic well-being is the most at risk. Rep. Jason Crow and Rep. Young Kim’s CLEAR Act helps ensure those voices have a seat at the table by creating climate resilience offices directly in states that experience extreme weather, so communities have sustained opportunities to share resources on climate solutions,” said Randi Weingarten, President, AFT.

Throughout his time in Congress, Rep. Crow has led the fight to protect our nation from the worst effects of climate change, such as introducing the Guaranteeing Resilient Installations for Defense (“GRID”) Act to protect and strengthen military bases nationwide against changing environmental conditions. He also voted to support the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and Inflation Reduction Act, which together represent the largest investment in climate resilience in our nation’s history. 

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