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Congress·In Committee·20 days ago

House Bill Would Create $1B Annual Coastal Trust Fund Backed by Offshore Drilling Fees

Also known as: Coastal Trust Fund Act

Legislative Progress

✓ Filed
Review
House
Senate
President

Impact Analysis

Scores: 1 = low, 5 = highSentiment: -5 to +5 (net benefit)

State Impacts

Scores: 1 = low, 5 = highSentiment: -5 to +5 (net benefit)

Key Points

  • This bill creates a new national trust fund specifically to help coastal towns prepare for and recover from big storms and hurricanes. It would provide $1 billion every year to pay for projects like building sea walls, restoring sand to eroded beaches, and fixing storm damage.
  • The money for this fund would come from the fees and royalties that oil and gas companies pay the government to drill in the ocean. This ensures the program has a steady source of cash without relying entirely on the standard yearly budget process.
  • The Army Corps of Engineers would use the money to manage projects that protect shorelines and reduce the risk of flooding. This includes studying new ways to protect the coast, designing better defenses, and maintaining existing projects so they do not fall apart.
  • By setting up a dedicated fund, the bill aims to make sure coastal protection is a priority even when the government is making tough budget choices. It also changes budget rules to make it easier for Congress to spend this specific money on coastal safety each year.
Energy EnvironmentInfrastructure Transportation

Milestones

2 milestones2 actions
Feb 10, 2026House

Referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, and in addition to the Committees on Natural Resources, and the Budget, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

Feb 10, 2026

Introduced in House

Related News

3 articles
NJ.com·12 days ago

Feds plan fast-track repairs for battered Jersey Shore beaches ahead of summer

Reps. Jeff Van Drew and Laura Gillen announced the Coastal Trust Fund Act to permanently secure $1 billion annually for beach repairs using revenue from offshore drilling. The plan aims to bypass the 'roller-coaster' of yearly budget cycles for the Army Corps of Engineers.

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Patch·19 days ago

Bill Would Establish $1B Fund For Jersey Shore Beach Protection

The bipartisan Coastal Trust Fund Act, introduced by Rep. Jeff Van Drew (R-NJ) and Rep. Laura Gillen (D-NY), would create a permanent $1 billion annual funding stream for coastal storm risk management projects like beach nourishment, funded by existing offshore energy lease revenues.

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Wildwood Video Archive·17 days ago

South Jersey Beaches Could Get Major Funding Under New Bill

H.R. 7459, the Coastal Trust Fund Act, proposes a dedicated federal funding stream for beach nourishment and dune repair. The bill seeks to treat coastal protection as essential infrastructure by depositing $1 billion annually into a permanent trust fund.

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Source Information

Document Type

Congressional Bill

Official Title

Coastal Trust Fund Act

Bill NumberHR 7459
Congress119th Congress
ChamberHouse of Representatives
Latest ActionReferred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, and in addition to the Committees on Natural Resources, and the Budget, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

Sponsor

Cosponsors

(2)
D: 1R: 1

Analysis generated by AI. While we strive for accuracy, this should not be considered legal or professional advice. Always verify information with official government sources.