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.
Congress Proposes Bill to Stop States from Blocking Major Coastal Infrastructure and Security Projects
Stalled
No legislative action in over 90 days.
Legislative Progress
Key Points
- This bill would change how states and the federal government work together on coastal projects like building piers, fixing bridges, or setting up military sites. Currently, states can object if they think a federal project doesn't follow their local environmental or safety plans.
- The new rules would automatically assume a state agrees with a project if it falls into certain categories. These include national security work, fixing critical infrastructure like power grids, cleaning up after disasters, and building in areas with high unemployment or low income.
- If this becomes law, a state could not use its usual power to delay or stop these specific types of projects. This is intended to speed up construction and economic development in coastal areas by removing local hurdles.
- The Secretary of Commerce would have 30 days to double-check if a project really fits into these special categories. If the Secretary does not speak up within that month, the project is legally allowed to move forward regardless of state concerns.
Impact Analysis
Personal Impact
Tribal communities along the coast could lose an important layer of protection. Many state coastal zone management programs incorporate consideration of tribal cultural resources, sacred sites, and subsistence practices. By stripping states of the ability to object to broad categories of federal projects, the bill could allow infrastructure, military, and economic development projects to proceed in areas significant to tribal communities without meaningful state-level review.
State Impacts
Milestones
Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR H1032-1033)
Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
Introduced in House
The bill was officially filed and given a number. It now enters the legislative queue.
Votes
No votes have been recorded for this legislation yet.
Related News
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Rep. Kevin Kiley introduced the Coastal Commission Accountability Act to strip the California Coastal Commission of its federal powers. The bill establishes a 'conclusive presumption' that states concur with federal actions, effectively overriding state rights to manage the coastline.
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Reporting on how Rep. Kevin Kiley introduced legislation designed to curb the power of the California Coastal Commission after it rejected SpaceX's plan to increase rocket launches. Kiley argues the CZMA was never intended to prioritize partisan considerations over national security.
Coastal Commission Unanimously Rejects SpaceX Launch Expansion at Vandenberg
While covering a specific rejection of SpaceX launches, the article contextualizes the ongoing federal legislative efforts to amend the Coastal Zone Management Act to prevent state agencies from blocking projects deemed federal or military activities.
Source Information
Document Type
Congressional Bill
Official Title
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.
Data Sources
Sponsor
Analysis generated by AI. Always verify with official sources.