Sponsors (7)
The bill strengthens U.S. diplomatic support for preserving maritime rights and statehood for nations threatened by sea-level rise and improves transparency and targeting of assistance, but it creates expectations and potential diplomatic, legal, and fiscal costs without committing funding or binding protections.
Residents of island and coastal states (including indigenous and rural communities) are more likely to retain recognized maritime zones and continued access to fishing and offshore resources, protecting livelihoods and food security.
Countries threatened by sea-level rise are more likely to keep international statehood and UN membership protections, preserving their international rights and access to institutions.
The bill promotes improved U.S. diplomatic coordination, cooperation with regional groups (e.g., Pacific Islands Forum, AOSIS), and greater transparency through a public inventory/report, which can focus legal, technical, and policy responses.
The bill may raise expectations among affected communities and partner governments for immediate U.S. protection or assistance without creating binding protections or committing funding, leaving constituencies frustrated if follow-through does not materialize.
Advocating preservation of maritime claims and related policy positions could require sustained diplomatic staffing, resources, or future commitments that increase costs for U.S. taxpayers and federal agencies.
Encouraging retention of maritime entitlements despite changing baselines may complicate maritime boundary disputes, create legal uncertainty under UNCLOS frameworks, and trigger costly litigation or negotiations.
Based on analysis of 4 sections of legislative text.
Establishes U.S. policy to protect statehood and maritime zones from sea level rise and requires a State Department report on international efforts within 120 days.
Introduced June 5, 2025 by Ami Bera · Last progress June 5, 2025
Directs U.S. foreign policy to oppose loss of statehood or maritime zones due to sea level rise and to work with other countries and international organizations to preserve maritime baselines and resource rights for island and coastal states. Requires the State Department, after consulting other agencies, to send Congress a public report within 120 days describing U.S. efforts, multilateral engagement, barriers, and which countries or organizations have adopted such policies.