This bill reauthorizes through 2029 and expands EPA grants for coastal water quality monitoring at public beaches. It adds funding for identifying contamination sources, monitoring upstream shallow waters, and notifying the public when recreational waters are unsafe for swimming.
Latest Action
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
AI Summary
Plain-English explanation of this bill
This bill reauthorizes through 2029 and expands EPA grants for coastal water quality monitoring at public beaches. It adds funding for identifying contamination sources, monitoring upstream shallow waters, and notifying the public when recreational waters are unsafe for swimming.
Last updated: 1/6/2026
Official Summary
Congressional Research Service summary
<p><strong>Beaches Environmental Assessment and Coastal Health Act of 2025 or the BEACH Act of 2025</strong></p><p>This bill reauthorizes through FY2029 and expands an existing program of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) that awards grants to states and local governments to (1) monitor the water quality of coastal recreational waters adjacent to beaches or similar points of access that are used by the public; and (2) notify the public, local governments, and the EPA when the water is not safe for recreational activities.</p><p>Specifically, the bill expands the program to allow the EPA to award grants for identifying sources of contamination (i.e., pathogens) for coastal recreation waters. It also allows grants to be used for monitoring and notification of contamination in (1) shallow waters upstream from recreational waters, and (2) recreational waters on beaches.</p>
Key Points
Main provisions of the bill
Reauthorizes beach water monitoring grants through FY2029
Expands grants to identify contamination sources
Includes monitoring of upstream shallow waters
Funds public notification when water is unsafe
Supports coastal recreational water protection
How This Impacts Americans
Potential effects on citizens and communities
Beachgoers would have better information about water quality and safety. State and local governments could identify where contamination originates and improve monitoring of waters feeding into public swimming areas.
Policy Areas
Primary Policy Area
Environmental Protection
Scope & Jurisdiction
Jurisdiction Level
federal
Congressional Session
119th Congress
Citation Reference
508, 119th Congress (2025). "BEACH Act of 2025". Source: Voter's Right Platform. https://votersright.org/bills/118-s-508
