Sponsors (2)
The bill directs federal funds and technical assistance to help coastal states and communities adapt to climate change and build green resilience, but it increases federal spending, may impose new regulatory costs, and could unevenly distribute aid among states and communities.
Coastal state and local governments will receive federal grants and technical assistance to develop and implement climate adaptation plans, improving preparedness for sea level rise and storms.
Homeowners, small businesses, and local governments will benefit from funding that prioritizes green infrastructure and adaptation of existing infrastructure, reducing flood damage and long-term repair costs.
Local governments, homeowners, and recreation- and fisheries-dependent communities will gain habitat restoration and water-quality projects that protect coastal buffers, refugia, and fisheries.
Taxpayers nationwide may ultimately bear the cost because the bill authorizes indefinite "such sums as necessary" appropriations for the grant program.
Local governments, homeowners, and small-business owners could face new regulatory requirements or costs because States must adopt enforceable policies to implement plans.
Coastal communities and some state governments could experience delayed assistance if their State lacks an approved Coastal Zone Management Act (CZMA) program, because eligibility is limited to States with approved programs.
Based on analysis of 2 sections of legislative text.
Creates a coastal climate adaptation program that authorizes grants, technical help, and training for coastal states to develop and implement federally approved adaptation plans.
Introduced April 24, 2025 by Salud Carbajal · Last progress April 24, 2025
Creates a new coastal climate change adaptation and preparedness program within the Coastal Zone Management Act that directs the Secretary to give financial, technical, and training help to coastal states with approved management programs. The program will fund and guide state development of coastal adaptation plans that identify vulnerable facilities and ecosystems, set adaptive management strategies, require long-term environmental monitoring, and must be approved by the Secretary before grants are paid. Grants are available to coastal states to develop and implement these plans; the Secretary must issue guidelines within 180 days of enactment. The bill authorizes planning and implementation assistance but does not itself appropriate money.