Bills · S 508
IN COMMITTEE· 119TH CONGRESS
Senate BillS 508Environmental Protection
BEACH Act of 2025
INTRO FEB 11· LAST ACTION FEB 11
READING
2MIN
COSPONSORS
4BIPARTISAN
READER REACTIONS0 TOTAL
NO VOTES YET · BE THE FIRST
- Introduced only
LEGISLATIVE PROGRESS
STEP 2 / 8Introduced
In Committee
Reported
Passed Senate
Passed House
Conference
To President
Became Law
WHAT THE BILL DOES
AI-writtenVoters should care about this bill because it directly impacts public health and the enjoyment of natural resources. By expanding water quality monitoring to include upstream waters and allowing the identification of specific pollution sources, it moves beyond just detecting contamination to enabling more targeted clean-up efforts. This means a better chance of solving pollution problems at their root, leading to consistently safer swimming conditions and protecting ecosystems.
If this bill becomes law, beachgoers could have more accurate and timely information about water safety, and states would have the resources to proactively address pollution rather than just reacting to it. If it doesn't pass, the existing grant program's funding could lapse after 2005 (as per the original authorization language it amends), potentially reducing beach water testing, delaying the adoption of new testing technologies, and preventing states from using federal money to find the causes of contamination, leaving many pollution sources unchecked.
KEY PROVISIONS
4AI-extractedPROVISION 01
The bill reauthorizes $30 million annually for grants to states and local governments for beach water quality monitoring and public notification.
This ensures the continuation of a crucial program that helps keep beachgoers safe by funding water quality testing.
PROVISION 02
It expands the scope of waters covered by the grants to include nearby shallow upstream waters and waters present directly on beaches.
This allows for a more comprehensive approach to water quality monitoring, addressing potential sources of contamination before they reach the main coastal recreation areas.
PROVISION 03
States and local governments can now use these grant funds to identify the specific sources of water contamination.
This enables more effective and targeted efforts to prevent and reduce pollution, rather than just identifying its presence.
PROVISION 04
The Environmental Protection Agency must update its guidance to states to reflect new innovations in water contamination testing technologies.
This ensures that water quality monitoring programs utilize the most current and effective scientific methods available.
SPONSORSHIP
1 + 4
D· Oregon
YRS IN OFFICE
45
BILLS LED
92
COSPONSOR BREAKDOWNBIPARTISAN · 50%
DEM 3 REP 1 IND 0
ACTION TIMELINE
2 EVENTSFEB 11
Introduced in Senate
FEB 11
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
BILL INFO
TypeSenate Bill
NumberS 508
Congress119th
StatusIn Committee
IntroducedFeb 11, 2025
Last actionFeb 11, 2025
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IN COMMITTEE· 119TH CONGRESS · ENVIRONMENT AND PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE · INTRODUCED FEB 11, 2025
Senate BillS 508Environmental Protection
BEACH Act of 2025
INTRODUCED FEB 11, 2025· LAST ACTION FEB 11, 2025
PASSAGE CHANCES
—%
READING
2 min
COSPONSORS
4
COMPLEXITY
Moderate
