HR 4256119th CongressIntroduced

Digital Coast Reauthorization Act of 2025

Introduced: Jun 30, 2025

Sponsor: Rep. Min, Dave [D-CA-47] (D-California)

Environment & ClimateTechnology & Innovation

Standard Summary

Comprehensive overview in 1-2 paragraphs

The Digital Coast Reauthorization Act of 2025 would extend the Digital Coast Act through 2030 and strengthen data access and scope. Specifically, it requires coastal data to be not only readily accessible but fully and freely available to the public, and it broaden the data covered to include underground infrastructure and subsurface utilities. By extending the authorization period and expanding the data types, the bill aims to improve public access to coastal information for planning, research, and resilience efforts, while also raising considerations about how sensitive infrastructure data should be managed and protected. The bill was introduced in the House on June 30, 2025, by Rep. Min with several co-sponsors and referred to the Committee on Natural Resources. The changes target Section 4 of the Digital Coast Act (16 U.S.C. 1467) and would become effective upon enactment, continuing federal coordination of coastal data initiatives through 2030.

Key Points

1Reauthorizes the Digital Coast Act through 2030 (extends the current authorization period by five years).
2Requires data to be “fully and freely available” in addition to being readily accessible, enhancing open access to coastal data.
3Expands the data scope to include underground infrastructure and subsurface utilities (e.g., buried pipes, cables, and related networks).
4Makes targeted amendments to Section 4 of the Digital Coast Act (specific subsections referenced: b(1), d(3)(D), g).
5Maintains the Act’s overall goal of federal coordination on coastal data and information sharing, with a clear emphasis on open data standards.

Impact Areas

Primary group/area affected- Coastal communities and local/state governments involved in planning, resilience, risk management, and resource management.- Researchers, planners, and public agencies that rely on coastal geospatial data.Secondary group/area affected- Private sector entities such as civil/utility engineers, construction firms, and utilities (energy, water, telecommunications) that rely on coastal and underground infrastructure data.- Nonprofit organizations and educational institutions conducting coastal research or emergency preparedness.Additional impacts- Data governance and security: broader openness of data, including subterranean infrastructure, may raise concerns about security, privacy, and protection of critical infrastructure information.- Implementation considerations: agencies may need to update data-sharing standards, metadata practices, and technical infrastructures to ensure data is truly “fully and freely available.”- Potential benefits: improved decision-making for coastal planning, hazard mitigation, response and recovery, environmental protection, and economic development through easier access to open data.

Generated by gpt-5-nano on Oct 2, 2025