Floor SpeechUrgent2026-02-26

AMENDING THE DIGITAL COAST ACT TO IMPROVE THE ACQUISITION, INTEGRATION, AND ACCESSIBILITY OF DATA OF THE DIGITAL COAST PROGRAM AND TO EXTEND THE PROGRAM

LaborInfrastructure

Context

On 2026-02-26, Senator Jim Banks (R-IN) delivered a floor speech titled "AMENDING THE DIGITAL COAST ACT TO IMPROVE THE ACQUISITION, INTEGRATION, AND ACCESSIBILITY OF DATA OF THE DIGITAL COAST P" in the Senate. The speech addressed labor policy and also covered infrastructure. It referenced legislation including S715, S716, S2245.

Full Text

AMENDING THE DIGITAL COAST ACT TO IMPROVE THE ACQUISITION, INTEGRATION, AND ACCESSIBILITY OF DATA OF THE DIGITAL COAST PROGRAM AND TO EXTEND THE PROGRAM

Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 38 (Thursday, February 26, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 38 (Thursday, February 26, 2026)] [Senate] [Pages S715-S716] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] AMENDING THE DIGITAL COAST ACT TO IMPROVE THE ACQUISITION, INTEGRATION, AND ACCESSIBILITY OF DATA OF THE DIGITAL COAST PROGRAM AND TO EXTEND THE PROGRAM Mr. BANKS. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the immediate consideration of Calendar No. 310, S. 2245. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report the bill by title. The senior assistant legislative clerk read as follows: A bill (S. 2245) 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. The PRESIDING OFFICER. There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the bill, which had [[Page S716]] been reported from the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation with an amendment to strike all after the enacting clause and insert the part printed in italic, as follows: S. 2245 Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, SECTION 1. ACQUISITION, INTEGRATION, AND ACCESSIBILITY OF DATA OF DIGITAL COAST PROGRAM. Section 4 of the Digital Coast Act (16 U.S.C. 1467) is amended-- (1) in subsection (b)(1), by inserting ``and fully and freely available'' after ``readily accessible''; (2) in subsection (d)-- (A) in paragraph (3)-- (i) in subparagraph (D), by inserting ``, including data related to underground infrastructure and subsurface utilities'' after ``data''; and (ii) in subparagraph (H), by striking ``and''; (B) in paragraph (4), by striking the period at the end and inserting ``; and''; and (C) by adding at the end the following: ``(5) limit trainings to technical instruction in the use of data and tools provided under this section.''; and (3) in subsection (g), by striking ``2025'' and inserting ``2030''. Mr. BANKS. I ask unanimous consent that the committee-reported substitute amendment be considered and agreed to; that the bill, as amended, be considered read a third time and passed; and that the motion to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered. The committee-reported amendment in the nature of a substitute was agreed to. The bill (S. 2245), as amended, was ordered to be engrossed for a third reading, was read the third time, and passed. ____________________

Referenced legislation: S2245, S2245

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AMENDING THE DIGITAL COAST ACT TO IMPROVE THE ACQUISITION, INTEGRATION, AND ACCESSIBILITY OF DATA OF THE DIGITAL COAST PROGRAM AND TO EXTEND THE PROGRAM Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 38 (Thursday, February 26, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 38 (Thursday, February 26, 2026)] [Senate] [Pages S715-S716] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] AMENDING THE DIGITAL COAST ACT TO IMPROVE THE ACQUISITION, INTEGRATION, AND ACCESSIBILITY OF DATA OF THE DIGITAL COAST PROGRAM AND TO EXTEND THE PROGRAM Mr. BANKS. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the immediate consideration of Calendar No. 310, S. 2245. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report the bill by title. The senior assistant legislative clerk read as follows: A bill (S. 2245) 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. The PRESIDING OFFICER. There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the bill, which had [[Page S716]] been reported from the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation with an amendment to strike all after the enacting clause and insert the part printed in italic, as follows: S. 2245 Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, SECTION 1. ACQUISITION, INTEGRATION, AND ACCESSIBILITY OF DATA OF DIGITAL COAST PROGRAM. Section 4 of the Digital Coast Act (16 U.S.C. 1467) is amended-- (1) in subsection (b)(1), by inserting ``and fully and freely available'' after ``readily accessible''; (2) in subsection (d)-- (A) in paragraph (3)-- (i) in subparagraph (D), by inserting ``, including data related to underground infrastructure and subsurface utilities'' after ``data''; and (ii) in subparagraph (H), by striking ``and''; (B) in paragraph (4), by striking the period at the end and inserting ``; and''; and (C) by adding at the end the following: ``(5) limit trainings to technical instruction in the use of data and tools provided under this section.''; and (3) in subsection (g), by striking ``2025'' and inserting ``2030''. Mr. BANKS. I ask unanimous consent that the committee-reported substitute amendment be considered and agreed to; that the bill, as amended, be considered read a third time and passed; and that the motion to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered. The committee-reported amendment in the nature of a substitute was agreed to. The bill (S. 2245), as amended, was ordered to be engrossed for a third reading, was read the third time, and passed. ____________________ Referenced legislation: S2245, S2245