District of Columbia Flood Prevention Act of 2025

Bill Number

H.R. 5920

Origin Chamber

House

Congress

119th Congress, Session 1

Policy Area

Transportation and Public Works

Status

Introduced

Latest Action

2025-11-04: Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.

Last Updated

2025-12-02T21:57:27Z

AI-Generated Summary

Purpose

The legislation aims to expand eligibility for federal funding under the Coastal Zone Management Act of 1972 (CZMA) by including the District of Columbia (DC), enabling it to access resources for coastal management activities, such as flood prevention.

Key Provisions

• Short Title: The Act is titled the "District of Columbia Flood Prevention Act of 2025."
• Amendment to CZMA: Modifies Section 304(4) of the CZMA (16 U.S.C. 1453(4)) by adding "the District of Columbia," to the definition of eligible entities, typically referring to coastal states or territories.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

• Previously, the CZMA's funding eligibility was limited to states and certain territories, excluding DC despite its coastal areas along the Potomac and Anacostia Rivers.
• This bill inserts DC into the statutory definition, making it the first explicit inclusion of the nation's capital in this federal program without broader alterations to the CZMA.

Potential Impacts

• On Government Agencies: Federal agencies, such as the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), which administers CZMA grants, may need to allocate additional funding to DC projects, potentially increasing administrative oversight for urban coastal management.
• On Citizens: DC residents could benefit from enhanced flood prevention and coastal protection measures, improving resilience against rising sea levels and stormwater issues in a densely populated area.
• On International Relations: No direct impacts, as the CZMA focuses on domestic coastal resources.

Main Stakeholders Affected

• District of Columbia Government: Gains direct access to federal grants for developing and implementing coastal management programs.
• DC Residents and Businesses: Affected by improved environmental protections and infrastructure in coastal zones.
• Federal Government: Responsible for distributing funds and ensuring compliance with CZMA standards.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

• Legal: Clarifies DC's eligibility under federal environmental laws, addressing its non-state status without requiring new appropriations; the change is narrow and relies on existing CZMA funding mechanisms.
• Constitutional: Aligns with Congress's authority over DC (Article I, Section 8 of the U.S. Constitution), potentially setting a precedent for including DC in other state-like federal programs.
• Political: Highlights ongoing debates about DC's autonomy and equity in federal benefits, introduced by Representative Norton (D-DC) to support local flood mitigation efforts amid climate challenges.

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

Sponsor

Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large]

Recent Actions

• 2025-11-04: Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
• 2025-11-04: Introduced in House
• 2025-11-04: Introduced in House

Bill Versions

• District of Columbia Flood Prevention Act of 2025 — issued 2025-11-04 — PDF (2 pages)