Climate Adaptation Policy Options

Policy Options

Coastal Resilience:

• Louisiana H.B. 305 (enacted 2024): Directs that the state’s share of revenue from all energy production in federal waters go towards coastal restoration projects.

• Rhode Island H.B. 7022 (enacted 2024): Creates a Chief Resilience Officer (CRO) that will assess climate risks and use this information to create a coastal resilience plan by June 2025.

Cooling Centers and Adequate Cooling in Homes:

• Arkansas H.B.1557 (enacted 2021): Allows local governments to set up emergency warming/cooling centers and requires utilities to: 1) avoid service disruptions at these centers, 2) reduce energy consumption during events as directed by a regional authority, and 3) prioritize these centers for service restoration.

• Rhode Island S.B.713 (Introduced 2025): Mandates 24/7 operation of warming and cooling centers during extreme weather alerts to protect at-risk individuals.

Building Retrofits:

• Florida H.B. 293 (enacted 2024): Requires Homeowners Associations to adopt hurricane protection specifications for every structure governed by the HOA, including roof systems, storm shutters, impact-resistant windows, and erosion controls. 

• Minnesota S.F.2744 (enacted 2023):  Establishes the Strengthen Minnesota Homes program which helps Minnesotans upgrade their roofs to ensure they are more resistant to high wind, hail and other extreme weather events.

Disaster Management:

• Oklahoma HB 2912/2913 (enacted 2024): Creates the $30 million State Assistance Dedicated for Disaster-impacted Local Economies Revolving Fund to provide local governments financial assistance to cover the costs of disasters.

• Vermont S.310 (enacted 2024): Establishes the Community Resilience and Disaster Mitigation Grant Program and Fund which provides grants towards municipalities working on disaster mitigation, adaptations, and repairs. 

Extreme Heat:

• Nevada A.B.96 (Enacted 2025): Requires large counties and cities to include a heat mitigation plan in their master plans. The heat mitigation plan must address strategies such as providing public cooling spaces, public drinking water, cool building practices, and increasing shade over paved surfaces, with a preference for native or drought-tolerant tree species.

• Washington H.B. 1329 (enacted 2023): Prohibits landlords and utility companies from disconnecting electric and water services for nonpayment during extreme weather events.

Flood Disclosure:

• Florida S.B. 948 (enacted 2025): Mandates flood risk disclosure for landlords, sellers, developers, and park owners to disclose flood risks to prospective tenants, purchasers, and lessees of residential properties, including mobile homes and condominiums.

New Hampshire H.B. 1320 (enacted 2024): Adds flood risk to the list of necessary disclosures and requires sellers to disclose if the property is in the flood zone and whether the property has flood insurance.

Green Infrastructure:

• Florida S.B. 976 (enacted 2021): Encouraged new approaches and financing mechanisms for the protection of the state’s wildlife corridor, including public-private partnerships, payments for ecosystem services, and blended financing for resilience and green infrastructure.

• Oregon H.B. 3409 (enacted 2023): Includes the creation of a Community Green Infrastructure Grant Program which supports green infrastructure projects, especially in environmental justice communities.