This legislation, titled the "Keep America's Waterfronts Working Act of 2025," aims to bolster the resilience and sustainability of coastal working waterfronts by amending the Coastal Zone Management Act of 1972. It introduces new provisions designed to address the unique challenges faced by these vital economic and cultural hubs.

The bill mandates the establishment of a federal Working Waterfronts Task Force, comprising experts and representatives from various federal agencies, Indian Tribes, and Native Hawaiian organizations. This Task Force is charged with identifying and prioritizing critical needs, outlining options to address them, and recommending responsible federal agencies for implementation. It must submit a comprehensive report to Congress within 18 months of enactment.

Furthermore, the legislation introduces a framework for Working Waterfronts Plans, which covered entities (coastal states, Indian Tribes, Native Hawaiian organizations) can submit for approval. These plans must provide for the preservation and expansion of coastal access, assess economic and cultural value, identify areas under threat, and include a strategic plan for preservation and improvement. They can also incorporate vulnerability assessments and resilience planning.

A new Working Waterfronts Grant Program is established to provide competitive funding to eligible covered entities. Grants can be used to implement or revise approved plans, acquire or improve working waterfronts, or carry out climate adaptation activities. The program includes a matching requirement, which can be waived for disadvantaged communities or those with limited funding capacity.

The bill also creates a Working Waterfronts Preservation Loan Fund, allowing the Secretary to issue capitalization grants to eligible coastal states. These states must establish revolving loan funds to provide financial assistance to covered entities for the preservation, improvement, and acquisition of working waterfronts. The loan fund includes provisions for additional subsidization, such as principal forgiveness or grants, for disadvantaged communities.

Both the grant and loan programs are designed to ensure the long-term viability of working waterfronts, with an emphasis on public access and consistency with existing coastal management programs. The bill authorizes appropriations of $50,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2025 through 2029 for both the grant and loan programs, underscoring a significant federal commitment to these coastal resources.