HR583-119

What This Bill Does

The BEACH Act of 2025 updates the Federal Water Pollution Control Act's coastal recreation water quality monitoring and notification program. It extends the grant authorization at $30 million per year for fiscal years 2025 through 2029 and expands the waters covered by the monitoring framework to include nearby shallow upstream waters adjacent to or present on beaches or similar public access points. States and local governments receiving grants may use the money to identify specific sources of contamination for coastal recreation waters, including those upstream waters, and grant-related data can include information on identified contamination sources. EPA must ensure guidance to State and local grant recipients reflects innovations in water-contamination testing technologies.

Who Benefits and How

Beachgoers benefit because monitoring and notification can cover upstream contamination sources that affect public beach access points. State beach water quality programs benefit from reauthorized federal grants through fiscal year 2029. Local governments managing beaches benefit because grants can fund source-identification work, not only monitoring and notification. Public health agencies benefit from more complete data on contamination sources and testing technologies. Water testing technology providers benefit if EPA guidance encourages adoption of improved contamination testing methods.

Who Bears the Burden and How

EPA BEACH grant staff must update guidance to reflect testing-technology innovation. State water quality agencies must incorporate nearby shallow upstream waters and source-identification data when using grant funds that way. Local beach managers must coordinate sampling, public notification, and contamination-source investigations. Pollution sources near beaches may face more scrutiny when grants identify specific contamination sources. Federal taxpayers fund the $30 million annual authorization from fiscal years 2025 through 2029.

Key Provisions

• Extends BEACH Act grant authorization at $30 million per year for fiscal years 2025 through 2029.
• Expands covered coastal recreation waters to include nearby shallow upstream waters.
• Authorizes States and local governments to use grants to identify specific contamination sources.
• Requires grant data to include identified contamination-source information when States use grants for that purpose.
• Requires EPA guidance to reflect innovations in water-contamination testing technologies.