Pallone Helps Drive Bipartisan BEACH Act Through House to Protect Jersey Shore, Public Health

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. (NJ-06) helped lead passage of bipartisan legislation to reauthorize and strengthen the Beaches Environmental Assessment and Coastal Health (BEACH) Act, which protects beachgoers and coastal economies by ensuring water is safe for swimming and recreation.

The legislation passed the House by a sweeping bipartisan vote of 378–32 and now heads to the Senate. It reauthorizes key EPA water quality programs through 2031, including the BEACH Act, which funds testing and public notification systems for contamination at coastal and Great Lakes beaches.

“New Jersey’s beaches are a cornerstone of our economy and our identity,” said Pallone. “Our bill makes sure residents know when the water is safe and, just as importantly, gives states the tools to go upstream and stop pollution at its source. That’s how you protect public health and keep our shore open for business.”

First enacted in 2000 by Congressman Pallone, the BEACH Act requires the EPA to set national standards for water testing and provide grants for state and local monitoring programs. The updated legislation expands testing to include shallow waters where children and seniors are more likely to swim. The updated law also expands how states can use funding -- not just to detect contamination, but to trace it back to its source, helping stop pollution before it reaches the shoreline.

Recent data from Environment America underscores the urgency: in 2025, more than 60 percent of U.S. beaches experienced at least one day of potentially unsafe contamination levels, often driven by sewage overflows and stormwater runoff.

With House passage secured, the bill now moves to the Senate.

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