Bolstering Ecosystems Against Coastal Harm Act
Where it stands
- Introduced9/14/23
- Passed HousePassed 9/24/24
- SenatePassed 11/19/24
- PresidentSigned 11/25/24
- LawPublic Law 118-117
Passed the House by voice vote on September 24, 2024. Passed the Senate by voice vote on November 19, 2024. Became Public Law 118-117 on November 25, 2024.
Passed by voice vote or unanimous consent — no individual positions were recorded.
Bolstering Ecosystems Against Coastal Harm Act or the BEACH Act
This act modifies the coastal areas belonging to the John H. Chafee Coastal Barrier Resources System (CBRS) and which are, therefore, ineligible to receive federal financial assistance for land development. It also expands exceptions to this restriction, establishes additional requirements for agencies administering the CBRS, and requires a study relating to coastal barrier ecosystems.
Specifically, the act updates and replaces existing CBRS maps with maps recommended by the Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) in a 2022 report to Congress titled John H. Chafee Coastal Barrier Resources System Hurricane Sandy Remapping Project. Affected coastal areas are located in 13 states: Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Rhode Island, South Carolina, and Virginia.
In addition, the act creates new exceptions to the limitation on federal financial assistance for certain (1) aquaculture operations (e.g., shellfish production) and (2) U.S. Army Corps of Engineers coastal storm risk management projects. The act also provides that insurable structures (i.e., walled and roofed buildings) that are on the ground in areas added to the CBRS within one year of enactment remain eligible for federal financial assistance.
The act directs FWS to issue regulations requiring owners or lessors of real property in communities affected by the CBRS to disclose this information to prospective buyers or lessees.
Additionally, the act provides that FWS shall develop and finalize guidance relating to the expenditure of federal funds in emergency situations that threaten life, land, and property immediately adjacent to a system unit. The act also generally requires agencies that are involved with the CBRS to revise or issue regulations or guidance as necessary within one year of enactment.
Finally, the act directs FWS and the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) to conduct a scientific evaluation of the dynamics of coastal barrier ecosystems. FWS and USGS must provide related recommendations for the CBRS to Congress.
1
9/14/23
What happens next
Became Public Law 118-117.
All actions (21)
- 9/14/23Introduced in House
- 9/14/23Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
- 9/26/23Referred to the Subcommittee on Water, Wildlife, and Fisheries.
- 9/28/23Subcommittee Hearings Held
- 12/6/23Subcommittee on Water, Wildlife, and Fisheries Discharged
- 12/6/23Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Unanimous Consent.
- 9/12/24Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Natural Resources. H. Rept. 118-667.
- 9/12/24Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 563.
- 9/24/24Mr. Westerman moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
- 9/24/24Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H5713-5719)
- 9/24/24DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 5490.
- 9/24/24Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H5713-5718)
- 9/24/24On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H5713-5718)
- 9/24/24Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
- 9/25/24Received in the Senate. Read twice. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 546.
- 11/19/24Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate without amendment by Voice Vote.
- 11/19/24Passed Senate without amendment by Voice Vote. (consideration: CR S6638)
- 11/20/24Message on Senate action sent to the House.
- 11/21/24Presented to President.
- 11/25/24Signed by President.
- 11/25/24Became Public Law No: 118-117.