Bill · S. 508· Senate(119-S-508)
BEACH Act of 2025
- Introduced
- 2/11/2025
- Last activity
- 2/11/2025 — Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
- Sponsored by
- Ron Wyden
- Cosponsors
- - 3 - 1
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
The BEACH Act of 2025 aims to amend the Federal Water Pollution Control Act regarding grants for beach monitoring. It expands the definition of coastal recreation waters to include nearby shallow upstream waters. The bill allows states or local governments to use grants to identify specific sources of contamination near beaches or public access points. It also updates the authorization of appropriations for the years 2025 through 2029. Additionally, the bill directs the EPA Administrator to provide guidance reflecting new testing technologies.
Yes
Does this better protect air, water and wildlife?+6
The bill expands water quality monitoring to include shallow upstream waters and allows for the identification of specific contamination sources.
Does this put more money into scientific research?+3
The bill requires EPA guidance to reflect innovations in water contamination testing technologies.
Would people in cities be better off under this?+2
The bill improves monitoring of public access points like beaches which are often used by urban populations.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
-
Improved Identification of Contamination Sources: Under Section 2(a)(1)(B) and (5), states or local governments can use grants to identify specific sources of contamination in coastal recreation waters and nearby shallow upstream waters. This could help protect people using beaches or similar public access points.
-
Modernized Water Testing: Section 3 requires the EPA Administrator to ensure guidance reflects innovations in testing technologies for water contamination. This could lead to more effective or advanced ways to monitor water quality.
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Updated Funding Timeline: Section 2(a)(3) updates the appropriation years to 2025 through 2029, ensuring the program has authorized funding for the upcoming years.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- No negative impacts are explicitly stated in the provided text.
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Improves Environmental Protections+6
- Education And Technology
- Increases Scientific Research Funding+3
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Urban Residents+2
- 6/3/2026
- 2 Cosponsors added.
- 5/21/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 2/11/2025
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- Introduced in Senate
One bill Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
Lisa Blunt RochesterDemocrat · Delaware
Andy KimDemocrat · New Jersey
Christopher MurphyDemocrat · Connecticut
Thomas TillisRepublican · North Carolina