Groundwater Rise and Infrastructure Preparedness Act of 2025

Bill Number

H.R. 4144

Origin Chamber

House

Congress

119th Congress, Session 1

Policy Area

Water Resources Development

Status

Introduced

Latest Action

2025-06-25: Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.

Last Updated

2025-09-08T15:56:59Z

AI-Generated Summary

Purpose

The Groundwater Rise and Infrastructure Preparedness Act of 2025 aims to address the risks posed by rising sea levels to coastal groundwater levels in the United States. It requires the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) to create maps forecasting future groundwater rise and to conduct a study on its potential effects on infrastructure and public health, helping policymakers and communities prepare for these changes.

Key Provisions

• National Groundwater Rise Forecast (Section 3(a)):
• Within 18 months of enactment, the USGS Director must launch a program to develop maps showing projected groundwater rise in all coastal areas of the continental U.S. through 2100, in 10-year increments. These maps will include changes in flooding risks and saltwater intrusion (the movement of salty water into freshwater sources).
• The program must identify high-risk areas for flooding due to groundwater rise.
• Recommendations to Congress on needed resources and research improvements for better projections, including those for extreme events like storms or high tides.
• A public website will be created to share the maps and related information for use by local planners and emergency managers.
• Authorizes $5 million in funding for fiscal years 2025 and 2026.

• Groundwater Rise Impact Study (Section 3(b)):
• Within 6 months after completing the forecast program, the USGS Director, in consultation with agencies like the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), must arrange a two-phase study through the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (an independent advisory group).
• The study must incorporate the forecast results and provide recommendations for federal actions and congressional measures to reduce impacts.
• Phase I (Infrastructure Impacts): Examines risks to coastal infrastructure such as roads, buildings, utilities, sewers, and drains; associated repair costs; and increased soil liquefaction (when soil loses strength during earthquakes due to water saturation).
• Phase II (Public Health Impacts): Assesses risks from groundwater rise mobilizing underground contaminants (releasing pollutants into the environment), threats to drinking water and agriculture from saltwater intrusion.
• A report summarizing findings must be submitted to Congress within 3 years of starting the study.

• Definitions (Section 3(c)):
• Clarifies terms like "groundwater rise" (upward movement of shallow coastal water tables due to sea level changes), "Director" (USGS head), and "National Academies."

Significant Changes to Existing Law

This bill introduces new federal mandates not previously outlined in law. It builds on existing USGS coastal mapping efforts but requires the first national-scale, long-term forecast of groundwater rise and a comprehensive, multi-agency study on its impacts. No prior national assessment of these specific risks exists, so it fills a gap by authorizing dedicated funding and interagency collaboration.

Potential Impacts

• On Government Agencies: USGS will gain resources and responsibilities for mapping and coordination, potentially straining budgets without additional appropriations beyond the initial $5 million. Other agencies (e.g., NOAA, EPA) will contribute expertise, fostering better data sharing for climate adaptation planning.
• On Citizens: Coastal residents, especially in vulnerable areas, could benefit from accessible maps and studies to inform personal and community decisions on property, health, and evacuation risks. It may lead to improved protections against flooding, contamination, and infrastructure failures.
• On International Relations: Minimal direct impact, though enhanced U.S. data on sea level rise could support global climate discussions and cooperation with other coastal nations.

Main Stakeholders Affected

• Federal Agencies: USGS (lead role), NOAA, EPA, NIST, and others for consultation and study input.
• Advisory Bodies: National Academies, tasked with conducting the independent study.
• Congress: Receives recommendations, reports, and funding requests to guide future legislation.
• State, Local, and Tribal Governments: Benefit from maps and data for planning infrastructure resilience and emergency responses in coastal regions.
• Communities and Industries: Coastal residents, farmers, water utilities, construction firms, and public health officials facing risks to homes, agriculture, drinking water, and sewage systems.
• General Public: Indirectly affected through potential improvements in national preparedness for climate-related threats.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

• Legal: Establishes enforceable timelines and reporting requirements for USGS, with potential for judicial oversight if deadlines are missed. Authorizes specific appropriations, which Congress must approve annually, but does not mandate spending.
• Constitutional: Aligns with Congress's authority under the Commerce Clause to regulate environmental and infrastructure matters affecting interstate commerce. No apparent conflicts with states' rights, as it emphasizes collaboration with local entities.
• Political: Highlights federal commitment to climate adaptation, potentially influencing debates on environmental funding and resilience policies. The bill's focus on science-based assessments could reduce partisan divides by providing neutral data, though implementation may face scrutiny over costs and priorities in coastal versus inland areas.

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

Sponsor

Rep. Mullin, Kevin [D-CA-15]

Cosponsors (1)

Rep. Garbarino, Andrew R. [R-NY-2]

Recent Actions

• 2025-06-25: Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
• 2025-06-25: Introduced in House
• 2025-06-25: Introduced in House

Bill Versions

• Groundwater Rise and Infrastructure Preparedness Act of 2025 — issued 2025-06-25 — PDF (6 pages)