A bill to amend the Digital Coast Act to improve the acquisition, integration, and accessibility of data of the Digital Coast program and to extend the program.
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Would reauthorize NOAA's Digital Coast program through 2030 and require that its coastal data and tools be made fully and freely available to the public.
It would also direct the program to support integration of data on underground infrastructure and subsurface utilities, and would limit program trainings to technical instruction on using its own data and tools.
What this bill would do
What it would do
The bill would amend the Digital Coast Act to extend NOAA's Digital Coast program, which provides coastal managers with data, tools, and training, through fiscal year 2030. It would require that data and integrated products developed under the program be made not just readily accessible but "fully and freely available" on the program's website and other sources.
It would also direct the program to support existing efforts to acquire and integrate data related to underground infrastructure and subsurface utilities, adding this to the categories of data the program addresses. Finally, it would limit trainings carried out under the program specifically to technical instruction on using the data and tools the program provides, narrowing the scope of training activities compared to current law.
Key provisions
- 1Would require data and integrated products from the Digital Coast program to be fully and freely available, not just readily accessible
- 2Would direct support for existing efforts to acquire and integrate data on underground infrastructure and subsurface utilities
- 3Would limit trainings under the program to technical instruction on the use of program data and tools
- 4Would extend authorization of the Digital Coast program from 2025 through 2030
Who would be affected
State and local coastal governments, resource managers, and other users of NOAA's Digital Coast platform who rely on its data, tools, and training; NOAA, which administers the program; and stakeholders working on underground infrastructure and subsurface utility mapping.
Why it matters
Continued authorization through 2030 keeps the program running without interruption, while the "fully and freely available" data requirement could expand public access to coastal data. Narrowing trainings to technical instruction and adding subsurface utility data could reshape how the program allocates resources and what it prioritizes.
What would change
Changes to existing law
Amends Digital Coast Act (16 U.S.C. 1467) (Section 1)
Requires data be fully and freely available, adds subsurface utility data, limits trainings to technical instruction, and extends authorization to 2030
Agencies directed to act
Funding and costs
Congressional Budget Office estimate
CBO estimates S. 2245 would cost $17 million over the 2026–2030 period (plus $3 million after 2030) in discretionary spending subject to appropriation, with no effect on direct spending, revenues, or the deficit.
CBO estimates that implementing S. 2245 would require $17 million in spending subject to appropriation (i.e., discretionary funding that Congress must separately approve) over the 2026–2030 period, and an additional $3 million after 2030, reflecting the bill's authorization of $4 million per year from 2026 through 2030 for NOAA to operate the Digital Coast program. The bill would have no effect on direct (mandatory) spending, revenues, or the federal deficit. CBO also found that the bill contains no intergovernmental or private-sector mandates.
How implementation would work
NOAA would continue administering the Digital Coast platform under the amended statutory requirements, ensuring newly acquired and integrated data—including subsurface utility data—is posted as fully and freely available on the program website and other distribution channels. The agency would need to adjust its training curriculum to focus solely on technical instruction in using program data and tools, and the program's statutory authorization would run through fiscal year 2030 rather than expiring in 2025.
Legislative status & sources
Latest action
Held at the desk.
Official CRS summary
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This bill reauthorizes through FY2030 the Digital Coast program managed by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and makes other changes to the program. Through the program, NOAA administers a digital platform with data, tools, training, and other information to support coastal management needs.
The bill requires NOAA to ensure that data and resulting integrated products developed under the program are fully and freely available on the program website and via other sources. Further, NOAA must support existing efforts to acquire and integrate data related to underground infrastructure and subsurface utilities.
Finally, NOAA must limit trainings carried out under the program to technical instruction on the use of data and tools provided by the program.
Legislative subjects
Computers and information technology; Environmental assessment, monitoring, research; Intergovernmental relations; Internet, web applications, social media; Marine and coastal resources, fisheries; Science, Technology, Communications; State and local government operations
Committee report
S. Rept. 119-100