WHAT THE LAW DOINCongress, in plain words

H.R. 5063 · 119th Congress

Safe Beaches, Safe Swimmers Act

Passed HousePublic Lands and Natural Resources
IntroducedAug 29, 2025
Passed HouseSep 14, 2026
Passed SenateNot yet
To PresidentNot yet
Became lawNot yet

Where it stands

Passed House. Latest step, Sep 15, 2026: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.

What it does

Sourced

Safe Beaches, Safe Swimmers Act

This bill establishes requirements to ensure an adequate staff of lifeguards at swimming areas and swimming beaches managed by the National Park Service, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the Bureau of Land Management, or the Bureau of Reclamation that are typically monitored by federally employed lifeguards during normal seasonal operating hours.

If the Department of the Interior determines there is a staffing shortage of lifeguards that will leave a swimming area or beach unmonitored by federally employed lifeguards during normal seasonal operating hours, Interior may enter into an agreement with local government agencies to provide lifeguards. Interior must ensure that a local government agency providing lifeguard services is reimbursed for all reasonable costs it incurred in carrying out the agreement.

The bill does not apply to short-term staffing shortages caused by temporary absences, such as an employee taking annual or sick leave.

Official summary by the Congressional Research Service (Reported to House, Aug 27, 2026).

Our plain-language breakdown, with what it means for you and the case for and against, is written once a bill starts to move.

What has happened

Sourced
  1. Sep 15, 2026Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.Senate
  2. Sep 14, 2026Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.House floor actions
  3. Sep 14, 2026On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H5563)House floor actions
  4. Sep 14, 2026Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.Library of Congress
  5. Sep 14, 2026DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 5063.House floor actions
  6. Sep 14, 2026Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H5563-5564)House floor actions
  7. Sep 14, 2026Mr. Westerman moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.House floor actions
  8. Aug 27, 2026Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 673.House floor actions
  9. Aug 27, 2026Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Natural Resources. H. Rept. 119-772.House floor actions
  10. Aug 27, 2026Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Natural Resources. H. Rept. 119-772.Library of Congress
  11. Jul 22, 2026Ordered to be Reported in the Nature of a Substitute (Amended) by Unanimous Consent.House committee actions
  12. Jul 22, 2026Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session HeldHouse committee actions
  13. Jul 22, 2026Subcommittee on Federal Lands DischargedHouse committee actions
  14. Dec 2, 2025Subcommittee Hearings HeldHouse committee actions
  15. Nov 25, 2025Referred to the Subcommittee on Federal Lands.House committee actions
  16. Aug 29, 2025Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.House floor actions
  17. Aug 29, 2025Introduced in HouseLibrary of Congress
  18. Aug 29, 2025Introduced in HouseLibrary of Congress

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