Rep. Salud Carbajal’s Coastal State Climate Preparedness Act has had its first hearing in the House Natural Resources Committee, his office announced Thursday.
The proposed law would provide assistance to coastal states to voluntarily develop a coastal climate change adaptation plan,” in order to combat climate change, according to a news release.
The bill would “provide financial and technical assistance and training to enable coastal States to implement plans developed,” according to the bill’s text.
“It also allows states to use these grants for climate change adaptation, and to protect infrastructure and coastal ecosystems,” the news release stated.
“I am here today because we know that climate change is real and we need to take action,” Mr. Carbajal said at the hearing, according to the news release. “Coastal communities, like mine, are at the forefront of this crisis. The city of Santa Barbara expects sea levels to rise by over 6 feet by the end of the century. In San Luis Obispo County, Morro Bay conducted a vulnerability assessment that found the city and its infrastructure are susceptible to the threats of rising sea levels. … We have a moral responsibility to act now.”
The bill needs committee approval to advance to a vote of the full House of Representatives. It is cosponsored by two Republican congressmen: Brian Fitzpatrick of Pennsylvania and Francis Rooney of Florida.
The full text of the bill is available at https://www.congress.gov/bill/116th-congress/house-bill/3541.
