H.R. 2990 — Coastal State Climate Preparedness Act of 2025

This section establishes a coastal climate change adaptation preparedness and response program under the Coastal Zone Management Act of 1972 to assist coastal states with approved management programs (under section 306) in voluntarily developing adaptation plans that minimize climate change contributions and reduce its coastal impacts, and to provide financial, technical assistance, and training for implementing those plans via enforceable policies. The section authorizes planning and preparedness grants to eligible coastal states for developing adaptation plans that (1) identify climate-vulnerable public facilities, services, working waterfronts, resources, waters, and uses; (2) include adaptive strategies for land use (e.g., biodiversity protection, water quality, habitat buffers, migration corridors, refugia) and ocean ecosystems (e.g., resource shifts, protected areas, ecosystem restoration); (3) require long-term environmental monitoring; and (4) are consistent with state hazard mitigation plans. Such grants are allocated per section 306(c) regulations, with priority for states receiving specified section 309(a) enhancement grants; plans require Secretary approval (per guidelines issued within 180 days of enactment) for implementation grant eligibility, with technical assistance available under section 310. The section further authorizes implementation grants to states with approved plans for coastal projects addressing climate stresses, including physical disturbances (e.g., sedimentation, ocean acidification), invasive species control, habitat protection and restoration (e.g., buffers, refugia, corridors), and green infrastructure to mitigate hazards (e.g., sea level rise, erosion, storms). Grant requirements are published in the Federal Register within 90 days of the first plan approval, with 30 to 50% of annual funds awarded competitively on merit.