Sponsors (2)
Last progress June 6, 2025 (8 months ago)
Introduced on June 6, 2025 by Pablo José Hernández
Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
Directs the Comptroller General (GAO) to study how coastal erosion — including loss of beaches, dunes, and wetlands — affects tourism, fisheries, and businesses in coastal areas of Puerto Rico and to send a report to Congress. The study must be done in coordination with Puerto Rico agencies and include findings and recommendations to reduce environmental impacts and address industry challenges. "Coastal area" is defined for the purposes of the study. No specific funding or deadline is specified in the text provided.
The Comptroller General of the United States shall conduct a study and submit a report to Congress on the effects of erosion, including the loss of beaches, dunes, and wetlands, on tourism, fisheries, and businesses throughout coastal areas in Puerto Rico.
In conducting the study, the Comptroller General shall coordinate and consult with relevant local agencies, including the Puerto Rico Department of Natural and Environmental Resources, the Puerto Rico Department of Economic Development, and the Puerto Rico Tourism Company.
The Comptroller General must include in the report any recommendations on how to ameliorate environmental factors that may be affecting businesses in the coastal areas described.
The Comptroller General must include in the report recommendations to address any challenges experienced by industries as a result of erosion in coastal areas.
Defines the term "coastal area" to mean a marine or freshwater area within or adjacent to a coastal State, and explicitly includes: (1) a coastal wetland or watershed; (2) coastal water; (3) a coastal bay; (4) a coastline; and (5) an estuary and associated upland.
Direct, immediate impacts are limited and primarily informational. A GAO study and report will affect:
Because the section only mandates a study and report, it does not itself change funding, regulations, or require new programs. Any concrete mitigation, funding, or new regulatory steps would require separate legislative or administrative action. The lack of a specified deadline or funding in the provision could delay completion or limit the scope of the GAO review.