Coastal Infrastructure Improvement Act

[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 5735 Introduced in House (IH)]

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119th CONGRESS
  1st Session
                                H. R. 5735

  To direct the Secretary of the Army to implement a program for the 
    testing and implementation of stabilization and erosion control 
                 technology to prevent coastal erosion.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                            October 10, 2025

  Ms. Gillen (for herself and Mr. Van Drew) introduced the following 
    bill; which was referred to the Committee on Transportation and 
                             Infrastructure

_______________________________________________________________________

                                 A BILL


 
  To direct the Secretary of the Army to implement a program for the 
    testing and implementation of stabilization and erosion control 
                 technology to prevent coastal erosion.

    Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Coastal Infrastructure Improvement 
Act''.

SEC. 2. STABILIZATION AND EROSION CONTROL TECHNOLOGY PROGRAM.

    (a) In General.--Subject to the availability of appropriations, and 
for a period of 6 years beginning on the date on which funds are made 
available to carry out this section, the Secretary and, where 
appropriate, in consultation with other Federal agencies and States 
carrying out State management programs approved under section 306 of 
the Coastal Zone Management Act of 1972 (16 U.S.C. 1455), shall 
establish a program to carry out research and development activities 
relating to stabilization and erosion control technology, including the 
estimated cost and longevity of such technology, as--
            (1) biomimetic methods for the protection of estuaries, 
        cliffs, bluffs, beaches, dunes, and shoreline stabilization;
            (2) applicable for coastal application in areas exposed to 
        coastal floods and erosion hazards, including monitoring and 
        maintenance; and
            (3) alternatives to hardened structures that are static, 
        disruptive to local habitat, and contributive to erosion in 
        adjacent areas.
    (b) Testing Diversity.--The Secretary shall ensure that research 
and development activities carried out under this section are carried 
out in diverse geographic locations.
    (c) Report.--Not later than 60 days after the end of the period 
described in subsection (a), the Secretary shall submit to the 
Committee on Environment and Public Works of the Senate and the 
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of 
Representatives a report on the program carried out under this section, 
including a comprehensive evaluation of such program and 
recommendations for the continuation of such program.
    (d) Definitions.--In this section:
            (1) Biomimetic method.--The term ``biomimetic method'' 
        means an engineered system that mimics natural processes, is 
        temporary, adjustable, removable, and reusable, and includes 
        hybrid approaches that combine natural and engineered elements 
        to enhance ecosystem function while providing protection.
            (2) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary 
        of the Army, acting through the Director of the Engineer 
        Research and Development Center.
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