H.R. 7929 — FLARE Act

This section (1) adds definitions in subsection (a) for "lithium-ion cell or battery" (i.e., a rechargeable electrochemical cell or battery with intercalation compound electrodes and no metallic lithium, excluding cells or batteries described in 49 CFR 173.185(c) and (g)(2)) and "thermal runaway" (i.e., an uncontrolled cell temperature increase caused by exothermic reactions, including in lithium-ion cells or batteries); (2) expands eligible activities for assistance to firefighters grants under subsection (c)(3)(A) to explicitly include lithium-ion cells or batteries in clause (v) and add clause (vi) for suppressing fires resulting from thermal runaway; and (3) expands eligible activities for fire prevention and safety grants under subsection (d)(3) to include funding programs to suppress fires resulting from thermal runaway. (As background, these grants under the Federal Fire Prevention and Control Act support fire departments—career, combination, and volunteer—for equipment acquisition, training, and operations; fire prevention and safety grants additionally fund research, development, and public education programs.)