118th Congress Public Lands and Natural Resources
H.R. 5490: Bolstering Ecosystems Against Coastal Harm Act
Became Law
- Introduced (completed)
- Passed House (completed)
- Passed Senate (completed)
- To the President (completed)
- Became law (completed)
Summary
This act modifies the coastal areas belonging to the John H. Chafee Coastal Barrier Resources System (CBRS) and which are, therefore, ineligible to receive federal financial assistance for land development. It also expands exceptions to this restriction, establishes additional requirements for agencies administering the CBRS, and requires a study relating to coastal barrier ecosystems.
Specifically, the act updates and replaces existing CBRS maps with maps recommended by the Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) in a 2022 report to Congress titled John H. Chafee Coastal Barrier Resources System Hurricane Sandy Remapping Project. Affected coastal areas are located in 13 states: Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Rhode Island, South Carolina, and Virginia.
In addition, the act creates new exceptions to the limitation on federal financial assistance for certain (1) aquaculture operations (e.g., shellfish production) and (2) U.S. Army Corps of Engineers coastal storm risk management projects. The act also provides that insurable structures (i.e., walled and roofed buildings) that are on the ground in areas added to the CBRS within one year of enactment remain eligible for federal financial assistance.
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The act directs FWS to issue regulations requiring owners or lessors of real property in communities affected by the CBRS to disclose this information to prospective buyers or lessees.
Additionally, the act provides that FWS shall develop and finalize guidance relating to the expenditure of federal funds in emergency situations that threaten life, land, and property immediately adjacent to a system unit. The act also generally requires agencies that are involved with the CBRS to revise or issue regulations or guidance as necessary within one year of enactment.
Finally, the act directs FWS and the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) to conduct a scientific evaluation of the dynamics of coastal barrier ecosystems. FWS and USGS must provide related recommendations for the CBRS to Congress.
Written by the Congressional Research Service, Library of Congress.
Roll calls
No roll call votes have been held on this bill.
Amendments
No amendments were offered to this bill.
Cosponsors
- Lisa Blunt Rochester D-DE
Who scored on this bill
- 1Jennifer Kiggans SponsorIntroduced, drew cross-party cosponsors, reported, passed House, passed Senate, became law6 events+156
- 2Lisa Blunt RochesterCosponsored; cosponsored bill passed2 events+4
See all scorers and every scoring event
Introductions and cosponsorships count toward weekly caps and show no points.
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History
- Signed by the President. Became Public Law 118-117.
- Presented to the President.
- Passed the Senate by voice vote.
- Passed the House by voice vote.
- Introduced in the House by Jennifer Kiggans.
Show the full action history (21 actions)
- Signed by President.
- Became Public Law No: 118-117.
- Presented to President.
- Message on Senate action sent to the House.
- Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate without amendment by Voice Vote.
- Passed Senate without amendment by Voice Vote. (consideration: CR S6638)
- Received in the Senate. Read twice. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 546.
- Mr. Westerman moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
- Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H5713-5719)
- DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 5490.
- Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H5713-5718)
- On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H5713-5718)
- Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
- Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Natural Resources. H. Rept. 118-667.
- Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 563.
- Subcommittee on Water, Wildlife, and Fisheries Discharged
- Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Unanimous Consent.
- Subcommittee Hearings Held
- Referred to the Subcommittee on Water, Wildlife, and Fisheries.
- Introduced in House
- Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.