S. 2245: 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.
Sponsor
Tammy Baldwin
Democrat · WI
Bill Progress
Latest Action · Feb 26, 2026
Passed the Senate, received in House
Digital Coast Data Gets Big Boost, Extension
Why it matters
Coastal communities and planners need up-to-date, accessible data as climate threats grow.
S2245 tweaks the Digital Coast Act, a relatively under-the-radar law that fuels a vast trove of maps and data used by cities, researchers, and industries on America’s coastlines. The bill makes sure that this data is fully and freely available, not just “readily accessible” as before. It also demands a deeper dive into underground utilities and infrastructure—a growing pain point as coastal flooding and development pressures rise.
The legislation extends the program’s life until 2030, ensuring that planners, scientists, and local governments can keep counting on this resource. It gives a nod to expanded technical training, though with new limitations to keep these sessions focused on practical, not just theoretical, instruction. Adding underground infrastructure data addresses a critical blind spot for disaster response and future-proofing aging systems.
By mandating “fully and freely available” data, the bill responds to calls for more open public access—potentially fueling private innovation and public transparency. But questions remain on funding, since the bill text here is silent on new money, and a growing digital coastline means managing ever-bigger piles of data.
What does S. 2245 do?
Guaranteed Free Public Access to Coastal Data
Requires that all Digital Coast program data must be fully and freely available to everyone, beyond just being 'readily accessible'.
Include Underground Infrastructure and Utilities
Expands the data collected and shared to include maps and info about underground infrastructure, like pipes and cables.
Extension of Program Through 2030
Extends the lifespan of the Digital Coast program by five years, preventing it from expiring in 2025.
Limit Trainings to Technical Instruction
Limits program-sponsored training sessions to hands-on, technical instruction rather than broader informational workshops.
Integration and Expansion of Data Types
Improves how different types of coastal data are stitched together for easier use by planners and researchers.
Who benefits from S. 2245?
Coastal communities and local governments
Gain better, freer data to plan for flooding, sea level rise, and infrastructure upgrades.
Researchers and scientists
Get access to richer, more detailed datasets—including critical underground utilities—for environmental and urban studies.
Infrastructure managers and utility companies
Benefit from more accurate mapping and data sharing to spot vulnerabilities and plan upgrades or responses to disasters.
General public and entrepreneurs
Open access to data encourages new apps, services, and public transparency.
Who is affected by S. 2245?
State and local agencies
Will need to coordinate and possibly share more data about underground utilities than before.
Private utility and infrastructure companies
Might face new expectations to contribute sensitive data for public mapping.
NOAA and federal program staff
Will have expanded duties to gather, maintain, and distribute a broader, more open set of data.
Disaster response organizations
Can use richer data for planning and real-time crisis response, especially regarding hidden infrastructure damage.
What Congress Is Saying
S. 2245 has come up 15 times in the Congressional Record so far.
S. 2245 also appeared in 1 more Senate floor reference and 4 routine cosponsor filings.
S2245 Legislative Journey
Passed 715-716
Feb 26, 2026
Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S715-716; text of amendment in the nature of a substitute: CR S716)
+1 more action this day
Committee Action
Jan 30, 2026
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Reported by Senator Cruz with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. With written report No. 119-100.
Passed Committee
Oct 21, 2025
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
Committee Action
Jul 10, 2025
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
About the Sponsor
Tammy Baldwin
Democrat, WI · 27 years in Congress
Committees: Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions, Commerce, Science, and Transportation, Appropriations
View full profile →
Cosponsors (2)
All 2 cosponsors are Republicans. Cosponsors represent 1 state: Alaska.
Committee Sponsors
Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee
1 of 28 committee members cosponsored
13 Democrats across this committee haven't cosponsored yet. Mobilize their constituents
S. 2245 Quick Facts
- Committee
- Commerce, Science, and Transportation
- Chamber
- Senate
- Policy
- Science, Technology, Communications
- Introduced
- Jul 10, 2025
Passed the Senate, received in House
Feb 26, 2026
S. 2245 Common Questions
Is Digital Coast data free to the public under S2245?
Yes. S2245 requires Digital Coast data to be "fully and freely available," not just readily accessible, under S2245 Section 1.
Until what year does S2245 extend the Digital Coast program?
S2245 extends the Digital Coast program through 2030 by replacing 2025 with 2030, according to S2245 Section 1.
Can Digital Coast include underground utilities and subsurface infrastructure data?
Yes. Under S2245 Section 1, Digital Coast data acquisition and integration now explicitly includes underground infrastructure and subsurface utilities.
What training does S2245 allow under the Digital Coast program?
Under S2245 Section 1, trainings must be limited to technical instruction in using the data and tools provided through the program.
How many years does S2245 add to the Digital Coast program?
Five years. S2245 moves the program end date from 2025 to 2030, according to S2245 Section 1.
What new type of coastal data does S2245 add to Digital Coast?
S2245 adds data related to underground infrastructure and subsurface utilities to the Digital Coast program under Section 1.
Does S2245 change Digital Coast from readily accessible to fully and freely available data?
Yes. Under S2245 Section 1, the bill adds that program data must be fully and freely available in addition to being readily accessible.
Does S2245 ban non-technical Digital Coast workshops?
It limits program trainings to technical instruction on Digital Coast data and tools, so broader non-technical workshops are not authorized under S2245 Section 1.
Can local governments use Digital Coast data for free if S2245 passes?
Yes. Because S2245 requires Digital Coast data to be fully and freely available, local governments could access it without charge under Section 1.
Based on S. 2245 bill text
S. 2245 Bill Text
“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.”
Source: U.S. Government Publishing Office
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