Environment (Coastal & Flood Protection)

in committee · United States · House May 20, 2025

HR 1885: Town of North Topsail Beach Coastal Barrier Resources System Map Amendment Act of 2025

This bill corrects the map for the John H. Chafee Coastal Barrier Resources System (CBRS) to exclude specific parcels in North Topsail Beach, North Carolina, that are zoned for non-conservation uses (like development) as of the bill's enactment date. It requires the Secretary of the Interior to remove these parcels from CBRS Unit L06 within 30 days of the bill becoming law. This change removes federal restrictions on federal spending and development in those parcels, directly affecting landowners and developers in North Topsail Beach. The amendment applies only to areas within the town's municipal boundaries, based on existing local zoning rules.

Topics ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentRemoves parcels from CBRS conservation system, lifting federal development restrictions and weakening environmental protections95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingRemoves federal development restrictions on parcels zoned for non-conservation uses, enabling housing construction by lifting CBRS barriers.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Coastal & Flood Protection Conservation Property Development Zoning

Track

passed · United States · House Jun 9, 2026

HR 6338: Stop Illegal Fishing Act

This bill authorizes U.S. sanctions against foreign individuals, entities, and vessels involved in illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing (IUU fishing), particularly targeting China as the primary perpetrator. It requires freezing assets and denying visas to those who own, captain, or operate vessels engaged in IUU fishing, while mandating annual reports on sanctions implementation. Exceptions include humanitarian aid, national security activities, and compliance with international agreements. The policy aims to protect global fisheries, coastal communities, and marine ecosystems from harmful fishing practices.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill targets IUU fishing to conserve marine resources and protect ecosystems, directly advancing environmental conservation through sanctions against illegal fishing activities.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Coastal & Flood Protection

Track

in committee · United States · House Jan 15, 2025

HR 403: Preventing Our Next Natural Disaster Act

This bill amends the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief Act to prioritize disaster resilience funding for vulnerable communities. It defines "environmental justice communities" (communities of color, low-income, or Tribal areas facing higher environmental risks) and "small impoverished communities" (under 50,000 people, economically disadvantaged), requiring FEMA to prioritize these groups for assistance. The bill increases federal funding coverage to 90% for mitigation projects in these communities (up from 75%) and mandates that projects account for future climate risks in design. It also creates a new federal database to track disaster spending and requires FEMA to provide outreach support to help eligible communities apply for funding.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill increases federal funding coverage to 90% for mitigation projects in vulnerable communities, directly advancing disaster resilience funding and government spending for essential programs.90% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentPrioritizes 90% federal funding for environmental justice communities facing higher environmental risks, strengthening resilience and protection through disaster mitigation projects.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Revenue Coastal & Flood Protection Environmental Justice Natural Disasters Tags Emergency Management

Track

in committee · United States · House Jun 5, 2025

HR 3771: Protecting Coasts and Cities from Severe Weather Act

This bill establishes a federal program to improve coastal flood and storm surge forecasting through better models, data, and community preparedness. It directs the Under Secretary of Commerce to prioritize real-time prediction of ocean-driven flooding, incorporate sensor data (like urban heat mapping), and develop probabilistic forecasts for use by emergency managers and communities. The program also requires identifying and filling "data voids" in vulnerable coastal areas to enhance weather observations and emergency response tools, with pilot projects focusing on critical infrastructure like dams and power plants. Key mechanisms include annual budget submissions to Congress and interagency coordination with FEMA and the National Weather Service to implement these improvements.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill enhances coastal resilience against climate-driven flooding through improved forecasting/data, directly supporting environmental protection efforts in vulnerable areas.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Coastal & Flood Protection Natural Disasters Tags Emergency Management

Track

passed · United States · House Jun 10, 2025

HR 1948: To authorize the International Boundary and Water Commission to accept funds for activities relating to wastewater treatment and flood control works, and for other purposes.

HR 1948 authorizes the International Boundary and Water Commission (IBWC) to accept funds from federal or non-federal entities - including grants or agreements - to study, design, construct, operate, or maintain wastewater treatment facilities, water conservation projects, and flood control works along the U.S.-Mexico border. The bill requires these funds to be deposited into a specific U.S. Treasury account and imposes a $5 million annual limit on reimbursing non-federal partners for project costs. It also prohibits accepting funds from entities tied to "foreign countries of concern" (as defined in other law) and mandates annual reports to Congress detailing how funds were used. This bill directly affects the IBWC’s funding mechanisms and entities providing financial support for border water infrastructure projects.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentAuthorizes funding for wastewater treatment, water conservation, and flood control - directly advancing environmental protection and pollution control along the border.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Coastal & Flood Protection Conservation

Track

in committee · United States · House Jun 25, 2025

HR 4144: Groundwater Rise and Infrastructure Preparedness Act of 2025

HR 4144, the Groundwater Rise and Infrastructure Preparedness Act of 2025, requires the U.S. Geological Survey to create national maps showing future groundwater rise along U.S. coastlines through 2100, including risks like flooding and saltwater intrusion. It mandates identifying high-risk coastal areas and funding a two-phase study with the National Academies to assess impacts on infrastructure (such as roads, sewers, and foundations) and public health (like contaminated water). The bill directs the creation of a public website displaying these maps and requires a final report to Congress within three years. This law directly affects coastal communities, local planners, and emergency managers by providing data to prepare for groundwater-related threats.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill funds study on climate-driven groundwater rise impacts, addressing flooding/saltwater intrusion risks to infrastructure and public health, enabling environmental preparedness.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Coastal & Flood Protection

Track

in committee · United States · House Feb 21, 2025

HR 1462: To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to disallow the production tax credit and investment tax credit for offshore wind facilities placed in service in the inland navigable waters of the United States or the coastal waters of the United States.

HR 1462 removes tax credits for offshore wind facilities located in the inland navigable waters or coastal waters of the United States. Specifically, it disallows the investment tax credit (Section 48) and production tax credits (Sections 45 and 45Y) for such facilities placed in service after December 31, 2025. This policy change directly affects developers building wind projects in these specific waterways, as they will no longer qualify for federal tax incentives. The bill modifies existing tax code provisions without altering the broader eligibility for offshore wind projects in open ocean waters.

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesBill disallows tax credits (ITC/PTC) for offshore wind projects, restricting tax incentives and reducing government spending on renewable energy subsidies.95% confidence ✗ EnergyOpposes EnergyRemoves tax credits (ITC/PTC) for offshore wind in coastal/inland waters, blocking renewable energy development by eliminating federal incentives for projects after 2025.95% confidence ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentRemoves tax credits for offshore wind (clean energy), defunding renewable projects and weakening environmental protection efforts by hindering development of coastal wind energy.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Tax Credits Wind Coastal & Flood Protection

Track

in committee · United States · Senate Jul 31, 2025

S 2586: MARA Act of 2025

The MARA Act of 2025 establishes a framework for developing sustainable offshore aquaculture in U.S. waters by creating an Office of Aquaculture within NOAA. It authorizes commercial-scale demonstration projects that must meet strict environmental requirements to minimize impacts on wildlife, habitats, and existing ocean users, while requiring regular data reporting on environmental and socioeconomic impacts. The bill includes provisions for workforce development through Aquaculture Centers of Excellence at minority-serving institutions and mandates studies on offshore aquaculture viability and regulatory processes. These provisions directly affect offshore aquaculture developers, coastal communities, seafood industry workers, and environmental stakeholders. The bill aims to support the growth of a domestic aquaculture industry while ensuring environmental protection and community benefits.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentRequires strict environmental requirements to minimize wildlife/habitat impacts and mandates data reporting on environmental effects for sustainable aquaculture projects.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentExplicit 'workforce development' provisions through Aquaculture Centers directly advance employment standards and training opportunities.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Coastal & Flood Protection Wildlife Workforce Development

Track

in committee · United States · House Mar 18, 2025

HR 2187: To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to disallow the production tax credit and investment tax credit for offshore wind facilities placed in service in the inland navigable waters of the United States or the coastal waters of the United States.

HR 2187 amends U.S. tax law to disallow key federal tax credits for offshore wind facilities located in inland navigable waters or coastal waters of the United States. Specifically, it removes eligibility for the investment tax credit (Section 48), production tax credit (Section 45), and clean electricity production tax credit (Section 45Y) for projects in these water areas. The bill defines "disqualified offshore wind facilities" as those situated in the specified waters, preventing them from qualifying for these financial incentives. This change applies to energy produced and property placed in service after December 31, 2025, directly affecting developers planning offshore wind projects in U.S. coastal or inland waterways.

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesRemoves federal tax credits (Section 48, 45, 45Y) for offshore wind projects, restricting tax incentives under tax law.95% confidence ✗ EnergyOpposes EnergyRemoves tax credits for offshore wind projects, directly restricting renewable energy development in coastal/inland waters.95% confidence ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentBill disallows tax credits for offshore wind projects (a clean energy source) in coastal/inland waters, directly restricting development of renewable energy infrastructure that advances climate goals.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Tax Credits Wind Coastal & Flood Protection

Track

in committee · United States · House Sep 3, 2025

HR 5085: To exempt Federal actions related to the construction of infill housing from the requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, and for other purposes.

HR 5085 exempts federal agencies from conducting environmental reviews under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) for infill housing projects that meet specific criteria. These projects must be located on previously developed urban sites (under 20 acres, with 75% urban adjacency), pass required environmental assessments, and avoid high-risk wildfire/flood zones per FEMA data. The bill also shortens FEMA’s natural hazard risk assessment update cycle from every 5 to every 3 years. This directly affects federal agencies approving housing developments and developers seeking streamlined project approvals.

Topics ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentExempts infill housing from NEPA environmental reviews, weakening federal environmental assessment requirements for construction projects.90% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingExempts infill housing from NEPA reviews, streamlining approvals for urban development projects that meet criteria, advancing housing construction.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Coastal & Flood Protection Forestry Natural Disasters Affordable Housing Building Codes Zoning Tags Emergency Management

Track