Voters should care about this bill because healthy coastlines are vital for many communities and the national economy. The Digital Coast program provides critical information that helps protect coastal homes, businesses, and natural resources from environmental threats. If this bill becomes law, the program will continue providing these services for another five years, helping communities plan for the future, especially with ongoing challenges like climate change and sea-level rise.

Without this reauthorization, the Digital Coast program would expire in 2025, potentially leading to a loss of valuable data, tools, and expertise that communities depend on. The changes to data accessibility and the inclusion of underground infrastructure data mean that decision-makers will have even better, more comprehensive information to protect both above-ground and below-ground assets, improving public safety and resilience against coastal hazards.