Tammy Baldwin (D-WI)
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.
A Democratic bill with 2 Republican cosponsors · See all 2 cosponsors
Last activity — Held at the desk.
Passed one chamber, waiting for the other to take it up
Passed one chamber, and the other has not yet sent it to a committee or put it on its calendar.
The other chamber will hand it to a committee, place it on its calendar, or leave it where it is. Nothing has been decided, and a bill can sit here indefinitely.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- Passed Senate unanimous consent
- Awaiting House
The Senate by unanimous consent (no one objected, so there was no vote): no senator's position on it was recorded.
What this bill would do
This act seeks to amend the Digital Coast Act to improve how data is acquired, integrated, and accessed within the Digital Coast program. It updates the requirements to ensure data is fully and freely available. The bill also expands the scope of data to include information regarding underground infrastructure and subsurface utilities. Additionally, it places a limit on trainings to focus on technical instruction for data and tools. Finally, the act extends the program by changing the end date to 2030.
Yes
- Scored +6
Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see?
Requiring data to be fully and freely available significantly enhances government transparency regarding infrastructure.
- Scored +5
Does this better protect public land such as parks and forests?
The inclusion of underground infrastructure and subsurface utility data improves the management of public land and resources.
- Scored +3
Does this put more money into scientific research?
By extending the program and ensuring data is freely available, it enhances the utility of scientific data collection.
The opposite
- Scored -2
Would students be better off under this?
The limitation of training to purely technical instruction may restrict the educational breadth available to students participating in the program.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
-
Increased Data Availability: By amending the requirement to include that data be "fully and freely available," more people may have access to necessary information (Section 1, subsection (b)(1)).
-
Improved Infrastructure Information: The inclusion of "data related to underground infrastructure and subsurface utilities" provides more specific information regarding what lies beneath the surface (Section 1, subsection (d)(3)(D)).
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Program Longevity: Extending the program timeframe to 2030 ensures the continued operation of the Digital Coast program (Section 1, subsection (g)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- Restricted Training Scope: The mandate to "limit trainings to technical instruction in the use of data and tools" could prevent broader educational opportunities related to the program (Section 1, subsection (d)(5)).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Tap or hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see? — Requiring data to be fully and freely available significantly enhances government transparency regarding infrastructure.
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Does this better protect public land such as parks and forests? — The inclusion of underground infrastructure and subsurface utility data improves the management of public land and resources.
- Education And Technology
- Does this put more money into scientific research? — By extending the program and ensuring data is freely available, it enhances the utility of scientific data collection.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would students be better off under this? — The limitation of training to purely technical instruction may restrict the educational breadth available to students participating in the program.
- 3/3/2026
- Message on Senate action sent to the House.
- Held at the desk.
- Received in the House.
- 2/26/2026
- Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent.
- Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S715-716; text of amendment in the nature of a substitute: CR S716)
- 1/30/2026
- 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.
- Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 310.
- 10/21/2025
- Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
- 7/22/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 7/10/2025
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- Introduced in Senate
Lisa MurkowskiRepublican · Alaska
Dan SullivanRepublican · Alaska