Federal beach water testing grants renewed through 2029 under updated BEACH Act

Q: What does this do?

S 508 reauthorizes federal grants under the BEACH Act, originally passed in 2000, to fund water quality testing at public coastal and Great Lakes beaches. The authorization lapsed after 2005 and this bill extends it from 2025 through 2029. Grant funds can now also be used to test shallow upstream waterways near beaches and to identify specific contamination sources, not just detect that a problem exists.

Q: What does it cost, and who pays?

Federal grants are authorized at up to $30 million per year, running from 2025 through 2029. The authorization covers state and local governments as the recipients of those funds.

In committeeS. 508Latest action Feb 11, 2025

Sponsor: Ron Wyden · Senator · OR

AIDecoded by AI · checked against the record

Read the official text

Official title: BEACH Act of 2025

119th Congress

Topics: Environment & energy

Introduced: February 11, 2025

Read the official bill on Congress.gov

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S 508 revives lapsed federal beach water testing grants up to $30M/year for states, extended through 2029.

55-second read · 5 questions answered below

What does this do?

S 508 federal grants under the BEACH Act, originally passed in 2000, to fund water quality testing at public coastal and Great Lakes beaches. The authorization lapsed after 2005 and this bill extends it from 2025 through 2029. Grant funds can now also be used to test shallow upstream waterways near beaches and to identify specific contamination sources, not just detect that a problem exists.

Who does it affect?

State and local health and environmental agencies apply for and administer the grants. Anyone who swims, surfs, or recreates at public coastal or Great Lakes beaches in the United States is affected.

Why does it matter?

Better and broader monitoring could produce more timely public notifications when water is unsafe, since beach managers are already required to notify the public when contamination is found. The bill also requires the EPA to ensure its guidance to states reflects the latest water testing technology.

What does it cost, and who pays?

Up to $30M per year in grants
Covers 2025 through 2029
States and localities receive funds

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Read the official bill on Congress.gov

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IntroducedFeb 11, 2025
Senate committeeYou are here · Feb 11, 2025
Senate vote
House
The president's desk

Right now: a Senate committee is reviewing it. If the House changes it, it goes back to the Senate before reaching the president.

Latest action: February 11, 2025 — Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.

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