To amend the Coastal Zone Management Act of 1972 to establish a conclusive presumption that a State concurs to certain activities, and for other purposes.

This bill would amend the Coastal Zone Management Act of 1972 to create a new “conclusive presumption of concurrence” for certain federally related activities in a coastal state’s jurisdiction. If an activity is deemed a “covered activity” (such as national security actions, critical infrastructure projects, disaster recovery/mitigation, or activities with significant national or regional economic impact), the state is conclusively presumed to concur with federal determinations related to that activity. This presumption would apply to consistency determinations by federal agencies, determinations or findings by federal agencies about a project’s consistency with the state’s enforceable policies, certifications by applicants, and state/local government determinations on federal assistance. An objection by the state could not delay the activity. The Secretary would have up to 30 days to issue a written determination that the activity is not a covered activity to nullify the presumption; if the Secretary fails to act within that window, the presumption becomes final and binding. The bill also defines key terms (e.g., “covered activity,” “critical infrastructure,” “disaster recovery,” “national security activity,” and related sectoral definitions) and specifies how “areas with high unemployment” or “low per capita income” are determined for purposes of identifying covered activities with significant economic impact. The sponsor and status indicate introduction in the House in March 2025, with referral to the Committee on Natural Resources.