H.R. 5787House115th Congress (2017-2019)Enacted

Strengthening Coastal Communities Act of 2018

Sponsored by Neal P. DunnRep. Neal P. Dunn (R-FL)
Introduced May 15, 2018

AI-Generated Summary

Updated April 15, 2026 at 9:55 PM UTC

The Strengthening Coastal Communities Act of 2018 updates the Coastal Barrier Resources Act by swapping out older paper maps of many John H. Chafee Coastal Barrier Units with newer, digitally‑produced maps. It also requires the Fish and Wildlife Service to post these digital maps online and to report on the transition from paper to digital. The changes affect how federal agencies and the public identify the boundaries of protected coastal barrier areas.

Key Provisions

  • Replace the existing paper maps for 35 listed coastal barrier units with newer maps dated 2013‑2016.
  • Require the Secretary of the Interior to make digital versions of all maps publicly available on the Fish and Wildlife Service website.
  • State that legal determinations of whether a location is inside a barrier unit must not rely on the digital maps, unless a printed version of the map is part of the official set.
  • Mandate a report to Congress within 180 days on progress, challenges, and a timetable for completing digitization of all maps.
  • Repeal the reporting requirement of Public Law 109‑226 (Section 3).

Legislative Activity

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21 earlier actions
Became Law Latest Action

Became Public Law No: 115-358.

December 21, 2018

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HouseIntro Referral

Introduced in House

May 15, 2018

HouseIntro Referral

Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.

May 15, 2018

HouseCommittee

Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.

June 13, 2018

HouseCommittee

Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Voice Vote.

June 13, 2018

HouseCommittee

Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Natural Resources. H. Rept. 115-997.

October 30, 2018

HouseCalendars

Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 779.

October 30, 2018

HouseFloor

Mr. Lamborn moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.

November 13, 2018 • 4:04 PM

HouseFloor

Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H9476-9478)

November 13, 2018 • 4:04 PM

HouseFloor

DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 5787.

November 13, 2018 • 4:04 PM

HouseFloor

At the conclusion of debate, the chair put the question on the motion to suspend the rules. Mr. Lamborn objected to the vote on the grounds that a quorum was not present. Further proceedings on the motion were postponed. The point of no quorum was considered as withdrawn.

November 13, 2018 • 4:13 PM

HouseFloor

Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H9550)

November 16, 2018 • 10:18 AM

HouseFloor

Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 375 - 1 (Roll no. 419).(text: CR 11/13/2018 H9477)

November 16, 2018 • 10:50 AM

HouseFloor

On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 375 - 1 (Roll no. 419). (text: CR 11/13/2018 H9477)

November 16, 2018 • 10:50 AM

HouseFloor

Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

November 16, 2018 • 10:50 AM

SenateIntro Referral

Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.

November 26, 2018

SenateCommittee

Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works discharged by Unanimous Consent.(consideration: CR S7949)

December 20, 2018

SenateDischarge

Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works discharged by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S7949)

December 20, 2018

SenateFloor

Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent. (text: CR S7949)

December 20, 2018

SenateFloor

Message on Senate action sent to the House.

December 20, 2018

President

Presented to President.

December 21, 2018

Became Law

Signed by President.

December 21, 2018

Became Law

Became Public Law No: 115-358.

December 21, 2018

Floor Debate

12 members

What members said about H.R. 5787 on the floor

8 Republicans4 Democrats
Lisa Blunt Rochester
Rep. Lisa Blunt RochesterD-DE · Nov 13, 2018

Mr. Speaker, today, I rise to urge my colleagues to support the passage of H.R. 5787, the Strengthening Coastal Communities Act of 2018. Mr. Speaker, I want to start by thanking Chairman Bishop and…

Thomas R. Carper
Sen. Thomas R. CarperD-DE · Dec 19, 2018

Mr. President, I thank my distinguished colleague, the Senator from Wyoming, chairman of the Environment and Public Works Committee. The Coastal Barrier Resources Act is an important, free-market…

Doug Lamborn
Rep. Doug LambornR-CO-5 · Nov 13, 2018

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 5787) to amend the Coastal Barrier Resources Act to give effect to more accurate maps of units of the John H. Chafee Coastal Barrier…

Neal P. Dunn
Rep. Neal P. DunnR-FL-2 · Nov 13, 2018

Mr. Speaker, I thank the chairman for yielding. Mr. Speaker, I am grateful to be here today for the opportunity to speak on this bipartisan, commonsense bill to provide much-needed modernization and…

John Barrasso
Sen. John BarrassoR-WY · Dec 19, 2018

Mr. President, today the Senate passed H.R. 5787, the Strengthening Coastal Communities Act of 2018, by unanimous consent. This legislation adds new acres to the Coastal Barrier Resources System,…

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Colleen Hanabusa
Rep. Colleen HanabusaD-HI-1 · Nov 13, 2018

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 5787 and I yield 4 minutes to the gentlewoman from Delaware (Ms. Blunt Rochester), my colleague. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr.…

Virginia Foxx
Rep. Virginia FoxxR-NC-5 · Nov 13, 2018

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that further proceedings on the motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 5787) to amend the Coastal Barrier Resources Act to give effect to more…

F. James Sensenbrenner, Jr.
Rep. F. James Sensenbrenner, Jr.R-WI-5 · Nov 20, 2018

Mr. Speaker, due to unavoidable circumstances relating to my health, I was physically absent from the House of Representatives on November 16, 2018. On that day, I missed two recorded votes. On Roll…

John Boozman
Sen. John BoozmanR-AR · Dec 19, 2018

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Environment and Public Works be discharged from further consideration of H.R. 5787 and the Senate proceed to its immediate consideration.…

Eric Swalwell
Rep. Eric SwalwellD-CA-15 · Nov 29, 2018

Mr. Speaker, I missed votes on Friday, November 16. Had I been present, I would have voted as follows: Roll Call Vote Number 419 (Passage of H.R. 5787, the Strengthening Coastal Communities Act):…

Kevin Brady
Rep. Kevin BradyR-TX-8 · Nov 16, 2018

Mr. Speaker, on rollcall No. 419, I was unavoidably detained to cast my vote in time. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yes.''

Bruce Westerman
Rep. Bruce WestermanR-AR-4 · Nov 16, 2018

Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Bill Text

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One Hundred Fifteenth Congress of the United States of America

At the Second Session

Begun and held at the City of Washington on Wednesday, the third day of January, two thousand and eighteen

H. R. 5787

AN ACT

To amend the Coastal Barrier Resources Act to give effect to more accurate maps of units of the John H. Chafee Coastal Barrier Resources System that were produced by digital mapping of such units, and for other purposes.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Strengthening Coastal Communities Act of 2018.

2.

Replacement of John H. Chafee Coastal Barrier Resources System maps

(a)

In general

Subject to subsection (c), each map included in the set of maps referred to in section 4(a) of the Coastal Barrier Resources Act (16 U.S.C. 3503(a)) that relates to a Unit of such System referred to in subsection (b) of this section is replaced in such set with the map described in subsection (b) with respect to that Unit.

(b)

Replacement maps described

The replacement maps referred to in subsection (a) are the following:

(1)

The map entitled Delaware Seashore Unit DE–07/DE–07P North Bethany Beach Unit H01 and dated March 18, 2016, with respect to Unit DE–07, Unit DE–07P, and Unit H01.

(2)

The map entitled Pine Island Bay Unit NC–01/NC–01P and dated March 18, 2016, with respect to Unit NC–01 and Unit NC–01P.

(3)

The map entitled Roosevelt Natural Area Unit NC–05P and dated March 18, 2016, with respect to Unit NC–05P.

(4)

The map entitled Hammocks Beach Unit NC–06/NC–06P (2 of 2) Onslow Beach Complex L05 (1 of 2) and dated March 18, 2016, with respect to Unit L05.

(5)

The map entitled Onslow Beach Complex L05 (2 of 2) Topsail Unit L06 (1 of 2) and dated November 20, 2013, with respect to Unit L05 and Unit L06.

(6)

The map entitled Topsail Unit L06 (2 of 2) and dated November 20, 2013, with respect to Unit L06.

(7)

The map entitled Litchfield Beach Unit M02 Pawleys Inlet Unit M03 and dated March 18, 2016, with respect to Unit M02 and Unit M03.

(8)

The map entitled Fort Clinch Unit FL–01/FL–01P and dated March 18, 2016, with respect to Unit FL–01 and Unit FL–01P.

(9)

The map entitled Usina Beach Unit P04A Conch Island Unit P05/P05P and dated March 18, 2016, with respect to Unit P04A, Unit P05, and Unit P05P.

(10)

The map entitled Ponce Inlet Unit P08/P08P and dated March 18, 2016, with respect to Unit P08 and Unit P08P.

(11)

The map entitled Spessard Holland Park Unit FL–13P Coconut Point Unit P09A/P09AP and dated March 18, 2016, with respect to Unit FL–13P, Unit P09A, and Unit P09AP.

(12)

The map entitled Blue Hole Unit P10A Pepper Beach Unit FL–14P and dated March 18, 2016, with respect to Unit P10A and Unit FL–14P.

(13)

The map entitled Hutchinson Island Unit P11/P11P (1 of 2) and dated March 18, 2016, with respect to Unit P11 and Unit P11P.

(14)

The map entitled Hutchinson Island Unit P11 (2 of 2) and dated March 18, 2016, with respect to Unit P11.

(15)

The map entitled Blowing Rocks Unit FL–15 Jupiter Beach Unit FL–16P Carlin Unit FL–17P and dated March 18, 2016, with respect to Unit FL–15, Unit FL–16P, and Unit FL–17P.

(16)

The map entitled MacArthur Beach Unit FL–18P and dated March 18, 2016, with respect to Unit FL–18P.

(17)

The map entitled Birch Park Unit FL–19P and dated March 18, 2016, with respect to Unit FL–19P.

(18)

The map entitled Lloyd Beach Unit FL–20P North Beach Unit P14A and dated March 18, 2016, with respect to Unit FL–20P and Unit P14A.

(19)

The map entitled Tavernier Key Unit FL–39 Snake Creek Unit FL–40 and dated March 18, 2016, with respect to Unit FL–39 and Unit FL–40.

(20)

The map entitled Channel Key Unit FL–43 Toms Harbor Keys Unit FL–44 Deer/Long Point Keys Unit FL–45 and dated March 18, 2016, with respect to Unit FL–43, Unit FL–44, and FL–45.

(21)

The map entitled Boot Key Unit FL–46 and dated March 18, 2016, with respect to Unit FL–46.

(22)

The map entitled Bowditch Point Unit P17A Bunche Beach Unit FL–67/FL–67P Sanibel Island Complex P18P (1 of 2) and dated March 18, 2016, with respect to Unit P17A, Unit FL–67, and Unit FL–67P.

(23)

The map entitled Bocilla Island Unit P21/P21P and dated March 18, 2016, with respect to Unit P21 and Unit P21P.

(24)

The map entitled Venice Inlet Unit FL–71P Casey Key Unit P22 and dated March 18, 2016, with respect to Unit P22.

(25)

The map entitled Lido Key Unit FL–72P and dated March 18, 2016, with respect to Unit FL–72P.

(26)

The map entitled De Soto Unit FL–73P Rattlesnake Key Unit FL–78 Bishop Harbor Unit FL–82 and dated March 18, 2016, with respect to Unit FL–73P, Unit FL–78, and Unit FL–82.

(27)

The map entitled Passage Key Unit FL–80P Egmont Key Unit FL–81/FL–81P The Reefs Unit P24P (1 of 2) and dated March 18, 2016, with respect to Unit FL–80P, Unit FL–81, and Unit FL–81P.

(28)

The map entitled Cockroach Bay Unit FL–83 and dated March 18, 2016, with respect to Unit FL–83.

(29)

The map entitled Sand Key Unit FL–85P and dated March 18, 2016, with respect to Unit FL–85P.

(30)

The map entitled Pepperfish Keys Unit P26 and dated March 18, 2016, with respect to Unit P26.

(31)

The map entitled Peninsula Point Unit FL–89 and dated March 18, 2016, with respect to Unit FL–89.

(32)

The map entitled Phillips Inlet Unit FL–93/FL–93P Deer Lake Complex FL–94 and dated March 18, 2016, with respect to Unit FL–93, Unit FL–93P, and Unit FL–94.

(33)

The map entitled St. Andrew Complex P31 (1 of 3) and dated October 7, 2016, with respect to Unit P31.

(34)

The map entitled St. Andrew Complex P31 (2 of 3) and dated October 7, 2016, with respect to Unit P31.

(35)

The map entitled St. Andrew Complex P31/P31P (3 of 3) and dated October 7, 2016, with respect to Unit P31 and Unit P31P.

(c)

Limitations

For purposes of subsection (a)—

(1)

nothing in this section affects the boundaries of any of Units NC–06 and NC–06P;

(2)

the occurrence in subsection (b) of the name of a Unit solely in the title of a map shall not be construed to be a reference to such Unit; and

(3)

the depiction of boundaries of any of Units P18P, FL–71P, and P24P in a map referred to in paragraph (22), (24), or (27) of subsection (b) shall not be construed to affect the boundaries of such Unit.

(d)

Conforming amendment

Section 4(a) of the Coastal Barrier Resources Act (16 U.S.C. 3503(a)) is amended—

(1)

in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by inserting replaced, after may be; and

(2)

in paragraph (3), by inserting replaces such a map or after that specifically.

3.

Digital maps of John H. Chafee Coastal Barrier Resources System Units

Section 4(b) of the Coastal Barrier Resources Act (16 U.S.C. 3503(b)) is amended—

(1)

by inserting before the first sentence the following:

(1)

In general

; and

(2)

by adding at the end the following:

(2)

Digital maps

(A)

Availability

The Secretary shall make available to the public on the Internet web site of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service digital versions of the maps included in the set of maps referred to in subsection (a).

(B)

Effect

Any determination as to whether a location is inside or outside the System shall be made without regard to the digital maps available under this paragraph, except that this subparagraph does not apply with respect to any printed version of such a digital map if the printed version is included in the maps referred to in subsection (a).

(C)

Report

No later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of the Strengthening Coastal Communities Act of 2018, the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Natural Resources of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Environment and Public Works of the Senate a report regarding the progress and challenges in the transition from paper to digital maps and a timetable for completion of the digitization of all maps related to the System.

.

4.

Repeal of report

Section 3 of Public Law 109–226 is repealed.

Speaker of the House of Representatives.

Vice President of the United States and President of the Senate.