Coastal State Climate Preparedness Act of 2025

Bill Number

H.R. 2990

Origin Chamber

House

Congress

119th Congress, Session 1

Policy Area

Environmental Protection

Status

Introduced

Latest Action

2025-04-24: Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.

Last Updated

2025-05-20T12:56:11Z

AI-Generated Summary

Purpose of the Legislation

The Coastal State Climate Preparedness Act of 2025 aims to help coastal states prepare for and respond to climate change effects in their coastal areas. It does this by creating a federal program that offers financial and technical support to states for developing and carrying out plans to reduce climate risks, while aligning with existing national coastal management goals.

Key Provisions

• Establishment of a Coastal Climate Change Adaptation Program: The Secretary of Commerce (who oversees the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, or NOAA) must create a program to assist coastal states in voluntarily developing adaptation plans. These plans focus on minimizing climate change contributions and addressing its negative impacts, such as sea level rise and storms, through enforceable state policies.

• Planning Grants (Section 320(b)):
• Grants are available to coastal states with approved coastal management programs to develop adaptation plans.
• Plans must identify vulnerable areas (e.g., public facilities, waterfronts, energy sites) and include strategies like:
• Adaptive land use to protect biodiversity, water quality, and habitats (e.g., buffer zones or migration paths for wildlife).
• Ocean ecosystem management, including protected areas as "climate refugia" (safe zones for species during changes).
• Long-term environmental monitoring to adjust strategies.
• Plans must align with state hazard mitigation and disaster response programs.
• Grants are allocated based on existing rules, with priority for states improving their programs; technical assistance is provided.
• The Secretary must issue guidelines within 180 days of enactment, and plans require federal approval for further funding.

• Implementation Grants (Section 320(c)):
• Grants go to states with approved plans to fund projects implementing those strategies.
• At least 30% and up to 50% of funds are awarded competitively based on merit.
• Eligible projects include:
• Addressing physical threats like erosion, flooding, ocean acidification, and invasive species.
• Habitat protection and restoration (e.g., buffers, refuges, corridors).
• Using "green infrastructure" (nature-based solutions like wetlands) to mitigate hazards such as storms or rising waters.
• Adapting infrastructure and providing training on climate science.
• Encourages using National Estuarine Research Reserves (protected coastal sites for research) for pilot projects.
• Application rules will be published in the Federal Register after the first plan approval.

• Funding Authorization: Amends existing law to authorize "such sums as are necessary" for these grants, building on prior coastal program funding.

• Congressional Intent: The program is voluntary; it does not force states to change their approved coastal management programs or extend policies outside defined coastal zones.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

• Adds a new Section 320 to the Coastal Zone Management Act of 1972 (CZMA), which previously focused on general coastal planning but lacked specific climate adaptation mandates.
• Expands the CZMA's appropriations section (Section 318) to include dedicated funding for climate grants, separate from earlier programs for habitat protection or education.
• Introduces requirements for climate-specific planning and projects, while ensuring consistency with state disaster plans and existing federal approvals for state programs (under CZMA Section 306).

Potential Impacts

• On Government Agencies: NOAA will gain responsibilities for program administration, grant oversight, guideline development, and technical support, potentially increasing workload and coordination with states. This could enhance federal-state partnerships on climate resilience.
• On Citizens: Coastal residents, especially in vulnerable communities, may benefit from reduced risks to homes, infrastructure, and natural resources through better-prepared states. It could lead to safer public services, protected habitats, and economic stability in areas like tourism and fishing.
• On International Relations: Minimal direct impact, though improved U.S. coastal resilience could strengthen global climate leadership by demonstrating adaptive strategies, potentially influencing international environmental agreements.

Main Stakeholders Affected

• Coastal States: Primary beneficiaries, receiving grants and assistance to build and implement plans; must have approved CZMA programs to participate.
• Federal Agencies: Secretary of Commerce/NOAA, responsible for program setup, approvals, and funding distribution.
• Local Communities and Businesses: Coastal residents, local governments, tourism operators, energy facilities, and working waterfronts (e.g., ports, fisheries) impacted by climate threats and eligible for project benefits.
• Environmental and Research Groups: National Estuarine Research Reserves and conservation organizations, which can support monitoring, habitat projects, and demonstration efforts.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

• Legal: Reinforces voluntary federalism by tying assistance to existing state programs without mandates, avoiding conflicts with state sovereignty. Plans must comply with federal environmental laws (e.g., via consistency with hazard mitigation under the Stafford Act for disasters).
• Constitutional: Aligns with Congress's commerce clause authority over interstate waters and environments; no apparent free speech or property rights issues, as participation is optional.
• Political: Promotes bipartisan climate action (introduced by representatives from both parties) by focusing on practical adaptation rather than regulation. It could face debates over funding levels or state priorities but emphasizes non-intrusive support, potentially reducing political resistance in coastal regions.

This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.

Sponsor

Rep. Carbajal, Salud O. [D-CA-24]

Cosponsors (1)

Rep. Fitzpatrick, Brian K. [R-PA-1]

Recent Actions

• 2025-04-24: Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
• 2025-04-24: Introduced in House
• 2025-04-24: Introduced in House

Bill Versions

• Coastal State Climate Preparedness Act of 2025 — issued 2025-04-24 — PDF (8 pages)