BEACH Act of 2025

Key Points

• The bill authorizes $30 million per year from 2025 through 2029 for grants to help states and local governments monitor water quality at public beaches. This renews funding that originally expired in 2005, restoring a key federal program for coastal water safety.
• The bill expands the geographic scope of water testing beyond just the shoreline. States can now monitor nearby shallow upstream waters and areas present on beaches, not just waters adjacent to them, helping catch contamination before it reaches swimmers.
• For the first time, grant money can be used to track down the specific sources of pollution contaminating beach waters. This lets local officials address the root cause of contamination rather than just responding after beaches are already dirty.
• The EPA is directed to update its guidance to reflect innovations in testing technologies for water contamination, which could mean faster, more accurate results for beachgoers about water safety conditions.