H.R. 3814

119 HR 3814 IH: To require the Comptroller General of the United States to conduct a study on the effects of coastal erosion on tourism and other businesses in Puerto Rico, and for other purposes.
 U.S. House of Representatives
 2025-06-06
 text/xml
 EN
 Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.
 I  119th CONGRESS  1st Session  H. R. 3814  IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES   June 6, 2025   Mr. Hernández  (for himself and  Mr. Huffman ) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the  Committee on Natural Resources    A BILL
To require the Comptroller General of the United States to conduct a study on the effects of coastal erosion on tourism and other businesses in Puerto Rico, and for other purposes.
1.
Short title
This Act may be cited as the   Puerto Rico Business & Economic Assessment of Coastal Hazards and Erosion Study Act   or the   Puerto Rico BEACHES Act  .
2.
Study on coastal erosion
(a)
In general
The Comptroller General of the United States shall conduct a study, and submit to Congress a report thereon, on the effects of erosion, including the loss of beaches, dunes, and wetlands, on tourism, fisheries, and businesses, throughout coastal areas in Puerto Rico.
(b)
Coordination and consultation
In conducting the study required under subsection (a), the Comptroller General shall coordinate and consult with relevant local agencies, including the Puerto Rico Department of Natural and Environmental Resources, the Puerto Rico Department of Economic Development, and the Puerto Rico Tourism Company.
(c)
Requirements
The Comptroller General shall include in the report submitted under subsection (a) any recommendations—
(1)
on how to ameliorate any environmental factors that may be affecting businesses in the areas described in subsection (a); and
(2)
to address any challenges experienced by industries as a result of erosion in coastal areas.
(d)
Coastal area defined
In this section, the term  coastal area  means a marine or freshwater area within or adjacent to a coastal State, including—
(1)
a coastal wetland or watershed;
(2)
coastal water;
(3)
a coastal bay;
(4)
a coastline; and
(5)
an estuary and associated upland.